Park to Host Annual Badlands Star Party

Date: August 13, 2014
Contact: Eileen Andes, 701-623-4466

Theodore Roosevelt National Park to Host Annual Badlands Star Party

Theodore Roosevelt National Park invites the public to the 30^th Annual Badlands Star Party in the park's North Unit on Friday and Saturday, August 22 and 23.

Telescopes will be set up at sunset at the Oxbow Overlook. Constellation tours will be offered as soon as stars are visible, at approximately 10:00 p.m. CDT.In addition, the sun can be viewed through a solar telescope at the Cannonball Concretions pullout from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. CDT on Saturday.

"Dark night skies are one of the elements that makes Theodore Roosevelt National Park a special place," said Superintendent Valerie Naylor. "People need places where they can see the night sky without intrusion from light, which is one of the reasons we work so hard to keep light pollution away from the park."

The Oxbow Overlook is at the end of the North Unit's Scenic Drive, 14 miles from the park's entrance.Caution is advised while driving in the park after dark, as bison and other wildlife may be on the road.Nights in the North Dakota badlands can be cool and rain is possible;a jacket or sweater is recommended.Please call the North Unit Visitor Center at 701-842-9071 for further information and an updated weather forecast.

The North Dakota Badlands Star Party is hosted by the Northern Sky Astronomical Society of Grand Forks, an amateur astronomy club associated with the University of North Dakota.The organization is dedicated to observing the sky and educating others about astronomy.Membership is open to the general public.

For more information about the park and upcoming activities, including other astronomy programs, please visit the park's website at www.nps.gov/THRO.

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