Upcoming Night Sky Events

Free astronomy events take place throughout the year. No sign-up needed. Dates, times, and details below.

• Children must be accompanied by an adult on all programs.
• All outdoor ranger programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or when lightning danger is present.
• When possible, programs will be moved indoors

 

Thursday, April 16th

Astronomy Talk

Description: Join Grand Canyon Conservancy's Astronomer in Residence Dr. Dan Fleisch for a fascinating astronomy talk followed by a laser-guided constellation talk under one the darkest skies in the United States! Dress warm. Program title: "Galaxy Collisions: Cosmic Pile-ups and What We Can Learn From Them."

Time: 7:30 pm (allow 1.5 hours)*

Location: Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater

*blue shuttle system ends at 9 pm. Be at the bus stop no later than 8:45 pm.

 

Saturday, April 18th

Astronomy Talk

Description: Join Grand Canyon Conservancy's Astronomer in Residence Dr. Dan Fleisch for a fascinating astronomy talk followed by a laser-guided constellation talk under one the darkest skies in the United States! Dress warm. Program title: "Asteroids, Dwarf Planets, and Comets: Including Some Interstellar Visitors That Are Not Alien Spaceships."

Time: 7:30 pm (allow 1.5 hours)*

Location: Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater

*blue shuttle system ends at 9 pm. Be at the bus stop no later than 8:45 pm.

 

Friday, May 29th

Astronomy Talk

Description: Join Grand Canyon Conservancy's Astronomer in Residence Dr. Logan Pearce for a fascinating astronomy talk followed by pointing out some celestial objects outside. Dress warm. Program title: "A Brief History of Aliens”

Time: 8:30 pm (allow 1.5 hours)*

Location: Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater

*blue shuttle system ends at 9:30 pm. Be at the bus stop no later than 9:15 pm.

 

Saturday, May 30th

Full Moonrise over the Historic Village

Description: Watch the sunset colors on the Canyon walls then turn to watch full moonrise over the historic Grand Canyon Village! Astronomer in Residence Dr. Logan Pearce will be around with a telescope and to answer questions. This is an informal event, not a formal program!

Time: Arrive at 7 pm. Sunset is 7:39 pm. Moonrise is 7:36 pm.*

Location: Trailview Overlook. Take the red shuttle to the first stop, OR walk from the Village 3/4 of a mile west along the rim trail to Trailview Overlook. This will be the best location to watch the Moonrise since it will be rising so far south in May.

* Best way to return after moonrise is to walk back to the Village on the trail, 3/4 mile. Otherwise, the last shuttle bus will pick up at Trailview Overlook 1 hour after sunset, around 8:40 pm.

 

Tuesday, June 2nd

Astronomy Talk

Description: Join Grand Canyon Conservancy's Astronomer in Residence Dr. Logan Pearce for a fascinating astronomy talk followed by a laser-guided constellation talk outside. Dress warm. Program title: “Ok, Let’s Talk About Pluto"

Time: 8:30 pm (allow 1.5 hours)*

Location: Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater

*blue shuttle system ends at 9:30 pm. Be at the bus stop no later than 9:15 pm.

 

Wednesday, June 3rd

Astronomy Talk

Description: Join Grand Canyon Conservancy's Astronomer in Residence Dr. Logan Pearce for a fascinating astronomy talk followed by a laser-guided constellation talk outside. Dress warm. Program title: "The Life and Death of Stars"

Time: 8:30 pm (allow 1.5 hours)*

Location: Grand Canyon Visitor Center Theater

*blue shuttle system ends at 9:30 pm. Be at the bus stop no later than 9:15 pm.

 

June 6 - 13

36th annual Grand Canyon Star Party

Description: Enjoy a special astronomy presentation in the visitor center plaza followed by hours of free telescope viewing behind the visitor center! Up to 80 telescopes per night will be setup. Laser-guided constellation talks begin at 9, 9:30 and 10 pm. This event is free!

Time: 8 pm - free astronomy presentation in the plaza
8 pm - midnight - free telescope viewing behind the visitor center (follow red rope lights)
9, 9:30 and 10 pm - Free laser-guided constellation talks behind the visitor center

Location: Grand Canyon Visitor Center

*blue shuttle system ends at 10 pm. Be at the bus stop no later than 9:45 pm.

 

Map shows the locations of the night sky evening programs in relation to Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim of the park. The evening program sites are tagged with a black flag: South Rim Visitor Center (right) and Shrine of the Ages Auditorium (center). Public parking lots are shown in yellow with the identifying letter or number of the lot in red that correspond to signs posted at the parking lots.

 

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Related Information

• Sunrise and Sunset times and full Moon dates

• South Rim Village Calendar of Ranger Programs and Special Events

• Visitor Center, Information Desks and Museum - Hours

• Desert View
  Ranger programs and Grand Canyon Speaks Presentations..
  Desert View is open all year and is located on the South Rim, 23 miles/37 km, east of Grand Canyon Village on State Route 64, also known as Desert View Drive.

• North Rim Status and Updates
  North Rim is CLOSED for the winter. Sections of the North Rim are tentatively expected to reopen to visitors for the 2026 season on May 15, pending weather, trail conditions, infrastructure readiness, and completion of hazard mitigation efforts, due to extensive damage from the Dragon Bravo Fire. It's a 209 mile/336 km drive from the South Rim Village to the North Rim.

• Return to Grand Canyon National Park's Ranger Program Home Page