Monthly Star Parties at Cedar Breaks

As darkness falls on Cedar Breaks National Monument, a different kind of light illuminates the night sky. That light, which comes from objects out in space transforms the night from a place of darkness into a place of wonder.

Cedar Breaks National Monument has some of the darkest night skies in the country. As Southwestern Utah grows and develops, “light pollution” in the form of stray artificial light is a growing problem which masks the beauty and intensity of a dark starlit sky. In the high elevation night skies of Cedar Breaks, the stars shine nearly as bright as they did in the time before the invention of the light bulb.

To celebrate and share the beauty of our dark night skies, Cedar Breaks is throwing a series of monthly “Star Parties”. Star parties will be held beginning this Saturday, June 23, with similar events on July 28, August 11, and September 8. Each star party will be conducted by park staff and astronomy volunteers beginning at 8:30pm with a special evening program in our campground amphitheater, followed by star viewing through several large telescopes at Point Supreme. Visitors who own their own telescopes are invited to bring them along.

Visitors are urged to dress warmly for the cool night air at this high elevation, and come prepared to enjoy a late night of star gazing at Cedar Breaks! Cedar Breaks National Monument is located 23 miles east of Cedar City, via Highways 14 and 148. More information is available by contacting Josh Boles at 435-586-9451 ext. 52 or the Monument’s administrative office at 435-586-9451.

Updated events and activities, program offerings, and other park information are also available for downloading at the Cedar Breaks National Monument website: www.nps.gov/cebr .

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