![]() NPS Graphic. September 16-18, 2022 The following is this year's schedule of activities (expand each tab for more details):
Nightly Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!8:30 to 11:00 pm Peaceful Valley Ranch Join amateur astronomers and rangers under the stars. Rove from telescope to telescope, each trained on a uniquespace object, while you listen to stories of night sky science and mythology. (Telescope field consists of gravel lot.) Fermi Paradox: Why E.T. Can’t Phone Home with Doug LivelyFRIDAY 7:00 to 8:00 pm (Cottonwood Campground Amphitheater) The search for life in the universe and why we’re having a difficult time finding it.Fallen Star: A Story in the Sky and Earth with Dakota Goodhouse (Tahansi/Sic’esi/Leksi)SATURDAY 7:00 to 8:00 pm (Cottonwood Campground Amphitheater) Explore the story of ascension of the traditional Lakota folk hero Fallen Star, his last camp on the vast open prairie, and his last journey to the stars.Finding the Constellations with Andy SmithkinSUNDAY 7:00 to 8:00 pm (Cottonwood Campground Amphitheater) Discover how rangers view the night sky and how they unlock the secrets to finding the constellations.Intro to E.E.A. with Doug LivelySATURDAY 3:30 to 4:30 pm (South Unit Visitor Center) A discussion of Electronically Assisted Astrophotography and how it differs from traditional Astrophotography.JWST Revisited with Lynn PowersSATURDAY 4:30 to 5:30 pm (South Unit Visitor Center) Check out the amazing photos the James Webb Space Telescope has been taking!Fallen Star: A Story in the Sky & Earth with Dakota Goodhouse (Tahansi/Sic’esi/Leksi)SUNDAY 3:30 to 4:30 pm (South Unit Visitor Center) Explore the story of ascension of the traditional Lakota folk hero Fallen Star, his last camp on the vast open prairie, and his last journey to the stars.Solar System Hike1:30, 2:30, and 3:30 pm (Chateau De Mores - outside if sunny, inside if raining) Hike the distance between the Sun and Neptune (sorry, Pluto!) with a ranger.Solar Scopes1:00 to 4:00 pm (Chateau De Mores - outside if sunny, cancelled if raining) Hands-on Activities12:00 to 3:00 pm (Chateau De Mores - outside if sunny, inside if raining) Hands-on activities for all ages to inspire curiosity about the day and night sky.Want to learn more?Dakota Nights doesn't just evolve around the festival - enjoy any and/or all of the following videos created surrounding our dark skies:![]() Tour of the Night SkyTake a look at four well known objects in the North Dakota night sky. Nebula, clusters and galaxies, oh my! ![]() Star Lore of the Indigenous PeoplesThe Navajo have a deep connection to the night sky, especially the constellations in the northern sky. ![]() Constellations and the March of TimeDiscover the Earth has a “wobble” and find out why Polaris hasn’t always been our north star. ![]() Mission to Mars 2020Join Brad Nasset, NASA Solar System Ambassador as he talks about the many missions to the red planet, Mars. ![]() See the Planets Tonight!Curious about which planets are currently in the night sky? Join Brad Nasset as he shows you when and where to see the visible planets. ![]() Open Globular Star ClustersWhat is a star cluster and how are they different from each other. ![]() Our Magnetic SunTwinkle, twinkle little star! Which star is closest and what are its properties? ![]() The Silent Flight of OwlsOwls are the ultimate nocturnal hunters. But how are they able to sneak up on their prey? ![]() Do you have tapetum lucidum?Spot animals on the side of the road at night by the shine of their eyes? What causes eyeshine and how does it help animals see in the dark? ![]() Make your own AstrolabeHave you ever wondered about how astronomers learned about the movement of Earth and the placement of constellations throughout the galaxy? ![]() Cookie Moon PhasesHave you ever wondered why the moon looks a little bit different every night? ![]() Asteroid Impact ModelWhat does it look like when an asteroid crashes into the moon and how are craters formed? ![]() Constellation
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Last updated: September 3, 2022