NPS - National Park Service

08/21/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/21/2024 14:57

Black Canyon Regional AstroFest September 5 to 7, 2024

Date:
August 21, 2024

Black Canyon Regional AstroFest September 5 to 7, 2024

Montrose, Colo. - Come celebrate the starry night skies of Black Canyon at Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Curecanti National Recreation Area. The region's annual astronomy festival, known as AstroFest, will take place Thursday in Montrose, Friday at Black Canyon, and Saturday at Curecanti. This event connects us to the dark skies of the region and provides the opportunity to look through telescopes, learn about wildlife, and appreciate dark skies.

Partner organization Black Canyon Astronomical Society will support stargazing opportunities in Montrose on Thursday, September 5.

Thursday, September 5, 2024. All events in Montrose, CO

  • 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Evening Astronomy Program at the Montrose Public Safety Complex Community Room.
  • 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Evening stargazing with telescopes at the Flat Top Bureau of Land Management, north of Montrose. Map and directions are on the park website.
Friday, September 6, 2024. All events at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park.
  • 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm. Daytime astronomy, solar telescope viewing, and Junior Ranger Night Sky Explorer activities at the South Rim Visitor Center.
  • 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Evening Program at the South Rim Campground Amphitheater. Join a park ranger for a talk on nocturnal wildlife, followed by a constellation tour.
Saturday, September 7, 2024. All events at Curecanti National Recreation Area.
  • 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Junior Ranger Night Sky Explorer activities at the Elk Creek Campground.
  • 7:30 pm to 8:30 pm. Evening Ranger Program at the Elk Creek Campground Amphitheater.
  • 8:30 pm to 10:00 pm. Evening stargazing with telescopes at the Elk Creek Campground.
Dress warm for outdoor evening events and please use a red flashlight or headlamp, not white, to preserve night vision. Park only in designated areas, never on vegetation.

Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area managed by the Bureau of Land Management and Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park and Curecanti National Recreation Area, both managed by the National Park Service, are beautiful dark sky locations. Black Canyon and Curecanti are designated as International Dark Sky Parks. They are dedicated to preserving and protecting our beautiful night sky resources. Learn more by visiting www.darksky.org.

Please visit the park website at https://www.nps.gov/blca/planyourvisit/astrofest.htm for more information and details for the 2024 AstroFest.

-end-

About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 431 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve natural resources, local history, and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov