Stargazing Festivals at National Parks: A Cosmic Adventure

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Do you want to escape the light pollution of big cities and marvel at the cosmic views? Consider visiting a national park for a stargazing festival or "star party."

Light pollution obscures the views of the stars and planets, making it challenging to enjoy the night sky.

However, several national parks have become popular dark-sky havens and are hosting stargazing events for people who want to enjoy the pristine glittering skies.

The International Dark-Sky Association designates dark-sky sites that have exceptionally high-quality night conditions to see the stars without the glare from nearby cities.

Several national parks, including Grand Canyon National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, and others, have been awarded this designation.

Grand Canyon National Park's 33rd annual "Star Party" features constellation tours, lectures by park rangers and NASA scientists, and photography workshops. The best viewing time is after 9 p.m.

Bryce Canyon National Park's annual astronomy festival will feature activity tents and solar telescopes, and stargazing sessions. The festival will run from Wednesday to Saturday.

Badlands National Park will co-sponsor its 2023 Badlands Astronomy Festival from July 14 to July 16, with NASA's South Dakota Space Grant Consortium.

The festival will feature a scale-model solar system tour and opportunities to view flares and sunspots with solar telescopes.

Shenandoah National Park will present its 2023 Night Sky Festival from Aug. 11 to Aug. 13, offering stargazing and expert presentations on space weather, space travel, and the future of space.

Great Basin National Park's diverse and interesting astronomy festival will take place from September 14 to September 16.

The festival will feature guest speakers, photo workshops, and tours of the Great Basin Observatory, the first-ever research-grade observatory in a U.S. national park.

Joshua Tree National Park's Night Sky Festival, held on Oct. 13 and 14, will coincide with an annular solar eclipse spanning the skies from Oregon to Texas on Oct. 14.

The park rangers have replaced all outdoor lights with lighting that preserves the awesome and watch worthy dark-sky conditions.

Visiting national parks hosting stargazing events is a unique way to enjoy the pristine glittering skies this summer and fall.

Pack your bags, grab your telescope, and escape the light pollution of big cities. Give your eyes the natural remedy!

So, what are you waiting for? Visit one of the national parks hosting stargazing festivals and star parties this summer and fall to enjoy the wonders of the night sky.

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Don't forget to share your cosmic adventure with us!

Read more about this amazing festivity, here.