This one-day fundraising event on Saturday, September 21, celebrates Joshua Tree National Park’s gorgeous starry night sky and its status as an International Dark Sky Park. Guests will enjoy free astronomy presentations, exciting talks from astronomers and experts, and a Night Sky Party. Arrive a night early for a special Astrophotography Workshop that starts on Friday night.
During the Night Sky Party, you’ll view the amazing night sky through telescopes with astronomers to explain what you are seeing. You’ll also enjoy live music, constellation tours, and night sky storytelling. Be sure to book your tickets for the Night Sky Party early, as it’s anticipated to sell out! For more information, check out visit29.org
Registration & Star Fun
Community Center at Luckie Park
Saturday, September 21
1:00pm – 8:30pm
Registration will be at the Community Center at Luckie Park, in 29 Palms. While you are there, have some star-fun at a space photo booth, play Astro Jeopardy & work on an astro crossword puzzle on a big screen, plus youth crafts from 1 to 5:30 pm. Visit the information tables for International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) and other supporting organizations.
Orrery, Nature/Wilderness Trails, Youth Crafts
Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center
Saturday, September 21
9:00am – 1:00pm
$10 per car
Will feature several short hikes on easy trails with docents explaining the plants, animals and geology of our special environment. Youth can participate in the youth crafts group.
Free Astronomy Presentations
Patriotic Hall, Luckie Park
2:00pm – 5:00pm
Free!
Ashley Pipkin, Night Skies and the National Park Service
2:00pm – 3:00pm
Ashley Pipkin is a National Park Service Biologist for the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division. During Ashley’s lecture and presentation, you will learn about the amazing opportunities to view night skies throughout the National Park Service. Explore ways that the NPS is protecting these celestial views and how they benefit people and wildlife.
Keri Bean, The Exploration of Mars – Past, Present, and Future
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Keri Bean is a Systems Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Take a look back at some of the exciting discoveries we’ve made at Mars, which missions are currently exploring the red planet, and which ones are to come during this special presentation by Keri.
Dean Regas, Tour of the Universe, You Are Here
4:00pm – 5:00pm
Dean Regas is an Astronomer for the Cincinnati Observatory. During his presentation you can rocket through space and sail among billions of stars and galaxies. Utilizing some amazing simulation software Dean Regas guides you through the mind-boggling scale of the universe. Along the way you’ll stop at the Moon and individual planets. Then you’ll make the jump to light speed and head to interstellar space and see all the galaxies in the universe. Don’t worry, he’ll have you back home in time for dinner!
Night Sky Party
Sky’s The Limit Observatory and Nature Center
Saturday, September 21
7:00pm – 11:00pm
$50 adults, $35 children ages 6-12