Martinez, Calif. – Do you want to learn more about planets and constellations? Join National Park Service (NPS) park rangers and volunteers for this exciting night sky program on Wednesday, October 26, 2022, at the John Muir National Historic Site (NHS) in Martinez, CA. This is a free two-hour drop-in event, starting at 7 p.m. and ending promptly at 9 p.m.
This program will explore our celestial neighbors by using telescopes and hands-on art projects. Please bring water, layered clothing, insect repellent, and a flashlight (with a red light setting).
Reservations are not required. Please call the John Muir NHS visitor center at (925) 228-8860 if you have questions. Visitors should meet at John Muir NHS. Additional parking is available across the street on Walnut Ave. If it rains heavily, the program will be canceled.
Grants, NM – El Malpais National Monument will host a Spooky Star Party on Saturday, October 29, 2022. Drop by the El Malpais Visitor Center any time between 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm to learn about the night sky and how you can help the National Park Service protect our dark skies in Northwest New Mexico. Look through telescopes at planets and stars and get a tour of the evening constellations. Come in costume for some Halloween treats!
This free event will take place in the parking lot of the El Malpais Visitor Center, although some activities may occur along the short, ½ mile dirt trail behind the visitor center. Please bring a flashlight or headlamp with a red light setting if you have one, otherwise red light flashlights will be available. Dress warmly for a chilly autumn evening.
The El Malpais Visitor Center is located at 1900 E Santa Fe Ave in Grants, NM. Gates open at 7:20 pm.
SAN ANTONIO — Join San Antonio Missions National Historical Park and Las Misiones for two nights of stars at Mission San Juan to explore and be inspired by the night sky through telescopes, learn about celestial navigation, become a Junior Ranger Night Explorer, and more at this free family event. Before the sun sets, explore different tables with family-friendly activities provided by local partnering organizations. As the sun sets, the attention will shift to the night sky with educational talks, telescope viewing, and more.
Educational programming by astronomy rangers is thanks to our collaboration with Arches National Park, an International Dark Sky Park. Telescope viewing and guidance is made possible by The University of Texas at San Antonio’s Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Misión de las Estrellas will take place Friday Oct. 21, 2022 and Saturday Oct. 22, 2022 from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm at Mission San Juan, 9101 Graf Road, San Antonio, TX 78214.
WILLCOX, AZ — Celebrate the wonders of our night sky at Chiricahua National Monument on Saturday, October 22, 2022, from 6-9 pm. Staff at this International Dark Sky Certified Park in partnership with members from the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (TAAA) will be hosting a two-part special event.
Jim O’Connor from TAAA will begin the evening festivities with the program, “Indigenous Universe” from 6:00-6:45 pm at the Bonita Canyon Campground Amphitheater. He will discuss how several local Native American cultures interpret elements of the night sky and the lessons held there.
The talk will be followed with telescope viewing at the Echo Canyon trailhead parking lot from 7-9 pm. Participants should expect to see the planets, Jupiter and Saturn, along with galaxies, star clusters, nebulae, and many more deep sky wonders. Shuttle service will be provided from the campground to and from the Echo Canyon parking lot. People are invited to attend both programs or choose either one.
Registration is required. Call the visitor center staff at 520-824-3560 x9302 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, daily. Participants should dress warmly, bring drinks, snacks, a portable chair or blanket to sit upon, and a flashlight with a red filter, if possible. The Western National Parks Association will have a variety of night sky themed items and snacks available for purchase.
Milky Way (NPS)
Pecos, NM: Join us for an evening under the wonderful Western sky on Saturday, October 15th. Special guests from the Santa Fe Brass Quintet will kick off the evening with music to match the mood. Afterward, park staff and volunteers from the Santa Fe Stargazers will bring out telescopes and binoculars to gaze at the stars and check out deep-sky objects.
Visitors are also invited to bring their own telescopes and spotting scopes to explore the night skies. This event is weather-dependent and red-bulb flashlights and appropriate clothing are strongly recommended. Park entrance gate will open at 6:00 p.m. and will close at 7:30 p.m. Please note that after 7:30 no further entry will be permitted. Reservations are required; please contact 505-757-7241 for more information.
