Lightscape & Night Sky

"Though my soul may set in darkness, it will rise in perfect light;
I have loved the stars too truly to be fearful of the night."

~ Sarah Williams ~

 

NPS/Miller

Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument remains one of the most remote areas in the contiguous United States. The monument and surrounding geographic region are recognized for remarkable combinations of high elevation plateaus, excellent air quality, sparse population, and prevalent cloud-free weather all of which provide for some of the best opportunities to visually observe and enjoy dark night skies.

Natural darkness and dark night skies are important resources and recognized monument objects of Parashant. Dark night skies are a rapidly disappearing resource around the world as inefficient and ineffective light sources increase. By working with the National Park Service Colorado Plateau Dark Sky Cooperative, the monument was able to produce an inventory of the existing night sky conditions and obtain a Gold-tier status from the International Dark-Sky Association. Data from this inventory and future studies will be used for future monitoring on the monument.

 

 

Night Sky Junior Explorer

Visit the Public Lands Visitor Center to pick-up a copy of the Junior Ranger Night Explorer booklet. Complete the activities and then return to the visitor center to obtain your Junior Ranger Night Explorer patch. Children can learn how to find the North Star, write their own creative mythology about the constellations, track the phases of the moon, learn about stars and galaxies, and use all their senses to explore the night environment at a national park.

 

 

National Park Service - Night Skies

Explore these websites to learn more about nature and history in the national parks and the work the National Park Service does with its partners, friends, and neighbors to protect parks and foster stewardship in communities across the United States.
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