Dark Sky festivals Kickoff this Weekend in Sierra National ParksSierra REC Magazine

Sequoia and Lassen Volcanic National Parks Celebrate Centennial Events with Dark Sky Festivals in August

August 2016 – The dark skies of the Sierra mountain range are one of the true treasures to be explored when visiting. As a resident, I enjoy the night sky near Lake Tahoe nearly every night for just a few minutes, however, when given the chance I love to escape to our National Parks and experience darkness at a completely different level.
2016 has already ben a fantastic centennial year at our National Parks. But if you are still trying to fit in one more visit this summer, may we recommend you look at these two Dark Sky festival events as must see adventure trips. The Dark Sky Festivals in our National Parks are recognized around the world and there is something special about being able to look through a telescope that has been set up be a professional stargazer that is worth your time to visit.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon Dark Sky Festival

SPECIAL EVENT! 3RD ANNUAL DARK SKY FESTIVAL, August 5, 6, & 7, 2016
Join special speakers for a variety of events within both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Activities include constellation tours, telescope viewings, NASA astronauts, kids’ activities, nature walks, musical performances, and more! Event, presented by the Sequoia Field Institute. Ask at any visitor center for more information. The festival is FREE.

The night sky in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is nationally recognized. Our darkness not only adds to the aesthetic qualities of the wilderness but is important to the health of our wildlife. As most of the world is faced with the effects of artificial light pollution, the Dark Sky Festival aims to educate visitors about the importance of this park resource and inspire them to take action in their own community. We hope you join us in the summer of 2016 for the third annual Dark Sky Festival and share your passion for the night sky and astronomy during this fun weekend.

Milky way with trees over a lake

Lassen Dark Sky Festival
Friday, August 12 through Sunday, August 14, 2016
Join park rangers, astronomers, and planetary geologists in celebrating all that is out of this world during Lassen’s Dark Sky Festival. Special programs, presentations, hikes, and Junior Ranger Night Explorer activities will be offered during the festival. View photos from the Dark Sky Festival on Flickr or a video about the festival on YouTube.

New! 2016 Dark Sky Festival schedule (1.7 MB, PDF)
Highlights Include:

Nightly constellation tours and stargazing
Astronomy activities including solar scope viewing, Junior Ranger Astronomy, and hands-on activities
Discussions and demonstrations by National Park Dark Sky rangers, NASA, International Dark Sky Association, RECON, Astronomical Society of Nevada, and the Astronomical Society of the Pacific.

Check out a more in-depth review of the dark sky event in Lassen – Family adventures in our National Parks