Bryce Canyon is the ultimate place to learn about and enjoy the splendor of the night sky. Far from the light pollution of civilization, and protected by a special force of park rangers and volunteer astronomers known as "The Dark Rangers," Bryce Canyon is the last grand sanctuary of natural darkness. The night sky at Bryce is so dark we can see 7500 stars on a moonless night! Here, Venus will cause you to cast a shadow! No visit to Bryce Canyon is complete without joining the Dark Rangers for one of their educational and entertaining celebrations of natural darkness.

Looking for total night-sky immersion? Join us for our Annual Astronomy Festival!

NIGHT SKY PROGRAMS
When: 101 Shows / year (see schedule below)
Where: check at Visitor Center upon arrival
Duration: 1 hr. multimedia, +90min @ telescopes
Cherish this last grand sanctuary of natural darkness by attending a multimedia show followed by sky viewing with telescopes (weather permitting). Most nights we offer two different multimedia shows concurrently. The list of our regularly offered mulitimedia shows can be found below the program schedule. Upon your arrival, check at the Visitor Center to see which shows will be offered during your visit. 

ASTRONOMY PROGRAM SCHEDULE

On average Bryce Canyon offers an astronomy program 104 nights per year! But the best time to come is when we are darkest -- during a new moon or the week prior to the new moon. 

NOTE:  this core schedule does NOT change from year to year. See below for specific astronomy events for the year 2011

WINTER (Nov. thru 2nd Sat. in March):
EVERY Sat. @ 7:00pm 

SPRING (3rd Sat. in March thru April):
EVERY Sat. @ 8:00pm

LATE SPRING (May): 
EVERY Tues., Thurs., & Sat. @ 8:30pm

SUMMER (June thru 2nd Sat. in August):
EVERY Tues., Thurs., & Sat. @ 9:00pm 
Except Tuesday, June 28 (preparing for Astronomy Festival)
Except Saturday, July 30! (Geology Festival)

LATE SUMMER (3rd Sat. in August thru 2nd Sat. in Sept.):
EVERY Tues., Thurs., & Sat. @ 8:30pm

FALL (3rd Sat. in Sept. thru Oct.): 
EVERY Tues., Thurs., & Sat. @ 7:30pm

All astronomy programs are followed by stargazing with telescopes (weather permitting). NOTE: Multimedia Programs are NEVER canceled due to bad weather. Only the stargazing half of the evening may be subject to weather related cancellations. 

Check at the visitor center upon your arrival for up-to-date information.

SPECIAL ASTRONOMY EVENTS FOR 2011!

Date	"Show Title" - Time @ Location
April 30	"Reaching Way Out" 8pm @ Bryce Canyon Lodge
June 2	"Reaching Way Out" 9pm @ Bryce Canyon Lodge
June 29-July 2	11th Annual Astronomy Festival & 1st Annual Dark Sky ALCON
June 29	"Reaching Way Out" 9pm @ Bryce Canyon Lodge
July 28	"Reaching Way Out" 9pm @ Bryce Canyon Lodge
Aug. 23	"Reaching Way Out" 9pm @ Bryce Canyon Lodge

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OUR MULTIMEDIA ASTRONOMY SHOWS:

"Reaching WAY Out! The Latest in Space Exploration" by Patrick Wiggins. Patrick Wiggins is Bryce Canyon's "Founding Father of Astronomy"! 2011 marks Patrick's 25th year of providing astronomy programs at Bryce Canyon. Patrick works for the University of Utah Physics Department, and is also a NASA Solar System Ambassador. Join Patrick for an insider's look at the latest in astronomy and international space exploration with humorous distinctions between science fiction and science fact.

Presentations by Dark Ranger Kevin Poe:
"Dark Wars" This techno-thriller tours the battlefield between the expansion of artificial light and the preservation of natural darkness. Learn about this desperate struggle where the fate of astronomy, nocturnal animals, your tax dollars, climate change, and even human health hangs in the balance. Duration: 70 minutes.

"Scared of the Dark?" Darkness is a common fear, but knowledge can make you brave. In this multimedia presentation Poe introduces you to Bryce’s nocturnal creatures and explains why animals lovers should be more scared of the light than the dark. Duration: 60 minutes.

"Bringer of Life, Giver of Death" Our closest star is arguably the most important thing in our known universe. Yet seldom do we give it a second thought. Illustrating dramatic examples from archeology, botany, zoology, climate change science, and astronomy, Poe advocates for a better understanding of our Sun which is both benevolent and malevolent. Duration: 65 minutes.

Special Guest Astronomers:

Salt Lake Astronomical Society (SLAS) -- SLAS is Utah's largest league of amateur astronomers. Bryce Canyon National Park is proud to have SLAS as a long term partner in interpreting astronomy and furthering our efforts to protect natural dark sky. Club members occasionally join us for our weekly astronomy programs and come in force for our annual Astronomy Festival. SLAS members graciously share with our visiting public their personally owned big telescopes and their love of the night sky. Click here to learn more about SLAS.

You! -- If you are interested in sharing your love of astronomy and natural dark skies, consider applying for a position as part of Bryce Canyon's Volunteer Astronomer Corps. Click here for more information.

BRYCE CANYON ASTRONOMY FESTIVAL

Every Summer Bryce Canyon offers a 4-day astronomy festival where amateur astronomers from the Salt Lake Astronomical Society assist Bryce Canyon's Dark Rangers in hosting a world-class public stargazing event. This annual extravaganza offers more than just the opportunity to look through huge telescopes, also featured at each festival are:

- Famous astronomy/night sky guest speakers
- Planet Walks (1/10 billion scale solar system)
- Model rocket building & launching
- Learn the sky with a planisphere workshops 
- Green laser constellation tours

Plan your next Utah vacation to coincide with the next Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival. 

2011: June 29-July 2
2012: May 17-May 20 Featuring total/annular solar eclipse!
2013: June 5-Jun 8
2014: June 25-28

(Click here or photo to learn more)

FULL MOON HIKES
When: Full Moon nights(click photo for dates)
Where: Announced only to ticket holders
Duration: 1-2 miles, 2-3 hours
Join one of Bryce Canyon's "Dark Rangers" for a nocturnal adventure. These highly popular hikes are only offered during the full moon. Flashlights are prohibited and "lug traction" footwear is required. Tickets can only be obtained at the visitor center the morning of the hike on a first come, first served basis.

SOLAR VIEWING
When: 3 times per week, seasonally
Where: Varies
Duration: Come & go as you please.
Remember how Mom always said you shouldn't look at the sun and never through binoculars or a telescope? Well it's okay to do it with our special solar telescopes! Look for our staffed solar viewing station in front of the visitor center where you can get a safe look at our Sun -- the bringer of life and the giver of death!