DEATH VALLEY, Calif. – Explore the wonders of space from one of the darkest locations in the United States. This year’s Death Valley Dark Sky Festival started today and will continue through Sunday, March 3. The popular event drew a crowd of more than 3,500 last year.
Scientists and park rangers fill the weekend with 32 live presentations, field programs, an exploration fair, family programs, telescope viewings and more. The in-person festival programming is a mix of daytime and nighttime activities with options for all ages. Visitors will have the chance to learn about a variety of topics ranging from space exploration to how Death Valley National Park has helped us learn about other worlds.
For the first time in the festival’s 12-year history, Death Valley will host a fully virtual presentation! On Thursday, February 29, at 6:00 p.m. PST, astrobiologist and organic geochemist Dr. Luoth Chou will present Rock n’ Rover: Exploring Mars and Death Valley with Curiosity. Dr. Chou will take participants on a journey through the history book of Mars where she will uncover parallels between the red planet and Death Valley. The event will be hosted on Microsoft Live. Visit the event calendar on Death Valley’s website (www.nps.gov/deva) for all event details, including the link to join.
“Death Valley National Park is excited to host this no-cost event which will connect park visitors with dark skies and a host of renowned specialists and experts,” said Superintendent Mike Reynolds. “We hope you can make it out to Death Valley for this family friendly event.”
The National Park Service hosts the Dark Sky Festival in cooperation with Death Valley Natural History Association, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Ames Research Center, SETI, Las Vegas Astronomical Society, and California Institute of Technology.
For a full list of programs and lodging options visit the park website.
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Thank you, RV Travel! 🙂 How cool! Sounds like a great event. Sorry that we missed it. 🙁 Safe travels! 🙂
Couple of years ago we planned a trip to Death Valley and I was so excited about being in dark sky. Probably should have looked at calendar
The nights we were there—FULL MOON
so bright you could’ve read the newspaper by it
Hi, Thomas. A friend and I walk at the local high school track every day. There are no lights at the track, so at night it’s very dark. However, when there’s a full, or close to full, moon, it’s interesting to see our shadows on the track.😎 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com