Campground Amphitheatre: Discover the Night

A sign outside the campground amphitheater provides information on the night sky.

NPS/Isabel Gonzalez

Quick Facts

Location:

Canyonlands: The Needles

Significance:

Wayside Panel

Amenities

1 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

It may be sunny as you read this, but if you wait until dark, you may be rewarded with the brilliance of the Milky Way. Our star studded galaxy is just one of many in the known universe.  

Starry nights provided inspiration for the first calendar, compass, and clock. Our ancestors used constellations and patterns in the sky to teach lessons about creation, navigation, planting, and harvesting.  

Light pollution threatens these nighttime treasures. It hides our view of the stars, and can confuse migrating birds, upset predator-prey relationships, and impact human health. Excessive light from nearby communities is visible, even here, in one of the darkest areas of the United States. As an International Dark Sky Park, Canyonlands works to protect views of the night sky and educates visitors how to do the same. 

Light pollution is an easy problem to solve. Help protect the night sky by using lighting only where it is necessary. Ensure that lights are shielded or pointing down. Turn off outdoor lights or put them on motion sensors.  

For tonight, simply enjoy the hidden treasure of the universe.  

A quotation on top of a vibrant image of the milky way reads, "The treasures hidden in the heavens are so rich that the human mind shall never be lacking in fresh nourishment." - J. Kepler