Grand Canyon, Ariz. –The twenty-sixth annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 4 through Saturday, June 11, 2016 on the South and North rims of Grand Canyon National Park. National parks such as Grand Canyon are protective harbors for some of the last remaining dark skies in this country. This year's Grand Canyon Star Party honors Joe Orr, a Star Party enthusiast and protector of Grand Canyon's skies, who died in 2013. This is one of many special events going on in national parks across the country in this centennial year of the National Park Service.
Star Party is sponsored by the National Park Service, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (South Rim), and the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix (North Rim), with funding from Grand Canyon Association and in partnership with the International Dark-Sky Association. Amateur astronomers from across the country will volunteer their telescopes and expertise for the enjoyment of park visitors. Astronomers and rangers will present free slide programs and numerous telescopes will offer views of planets Jupiter, Saturn and Mars, as well as double stars, star clusters, nebulae and distant galaxies, and the Moon, later in the week. By day, keep an eye out for solar telescopes pointed at the sun. Weather permitting, expect spectacular views of the universe!
On the South Rim, events include a nightly slide show at 8 pm in the theater of the Grand Canyon Visitor Center, followed by free telescope viewing behind the building. Green-laser Constellation Tours will be offered at 9, 9:30 &10 pm. Park in Lots 1 through 4 (use Lot 4 if accessibility is an issue), or arrive by the free Village Route shuttle bus, which runs until 11 pm. To guarantee a seat at the slide show, arrive early;doors open at 7:40 pm. Best after 9 pm, telescope viewing continues well into the night and visitors may arrive any time after dark. A flashlight is recommended for the walk to the viewing area, but white lights are not permitted on the Telescope Lot. Give your eyes time to dark-adapt, or use a red flashlight, easily made by covering any flashlight with red cellophane, nail polish, or permanent marker.
On the North Rim, astronomers will set up telescopes on the terrace of the Grand Canyon Lodge every evening. Astronomers will also use green lasers to point out constellations. An astronomy slide show will be presented at 8:30 pm nightly in the lodge auditorium. By day, look for solar telescopes on the terrace and elsewhere. Check the visitor center and park bulletin boards for program topics and additional details.
Expect cool nighttime temperatures on both rims, even in summer. Those attending the star party are encouraged to bring warm layers of clothing. When traveling in the park on the South Rim, it is best to find a parking space and use the free shuttle bus system to access points of interest in the Grand Canyon Village area. For shuttle bus information, visit http://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/shuttle-buses.htm.
For additional Star Party information visit https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-star-party.htmor contact Marker Marshall at 928 638-7830.
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Astronomers to Provide Free Telescope Viewing at Grand Canyon National Park June 4-11
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