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NIGHT SKY TREASURES CARLSBAD, New Mexico – "Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another," claimed the famous philosopher, Plato. Join the "Star Party" at Carlsbad Caverns National Park where you can compel your soul and look upward to the night sky starting at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, August 23. Far from the lights of town, Carlsbad Caverns National Park features a wonderfully dark night sky, perfect for stellar viewing. Rangers will have telescopes available for the public to view astronomical objects such as planets in our Milky Way and maybe even a few galaxies beyond. Viewing opportunities are dependent on favorable weather conditions. No fee or advance reservations are required for this event. Visitors may wish to bring a flashlight and light jacket. Parking for the visitor center and bat flight program will be in the west lot near the Cavern Restaurant. Neither the visitor center nor the cave will be open at the time of this event. Schedule of events:
7:00 p.m.- A ranger will lead a "Bat Flight Program" about the Brazilian free-tailed bats of Carlsbad Cavern where you can watch the bats fly out of the cave. 8:00 p.m. - 10:00p.m. – After the bat flight program, rangers will be in the visitor center's east parking lot with telescopes for the public to view the nightskies, planets, stars and other fascinating objects. Carlsbad Caverns will host additional star parties on September 20 and October 18. For more information on star parties contact Public Affairs Specialist, Valerie Gohlke, (575) 785-3090.
About the National Park Service,more than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 402national properties and work with communities across the nation to helppreserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities.Learn more at www.nps.gov |
Last updated: February 24, 2015