COME OUT AND GAZE AT THE STARS
Event includes viewings and free camping
The Sky Fiesta at Bandelier National Monument will offer day and night viewing.
Bandelier National Monument wants folks to come celebrate its Third Annual Night Sky Fiesta today and Saturday, with tremendous views of the stars and even free camping on Saturday to coincide with the Great American Campout.
Visitors can do both daylight and nighttime astronomy by checking out solar scopes manned by volunteers and set up on the back porch of the Visitor Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days. These telescopes have powerful filters that allow observers to safely look directly at the sun, organizers said in a news release.
Then, each evening at 8:30 p.m., there will be a special program at the Juniper Campground Amphitheater, beginning with a ranger presentation, followed by a “Telescope Sandbox” or the chance to learn how to operate telescopes, including using star charts to point the scope at particular objects in the night sky.
Guides also will be on hand to give at least one “tour” of constellations, with a ranger using a special green laser to point out many of the visible configurations.
All sky activities, of course, depend on weather and cloud cover, but forecasts appeared favorable earlier this week.
Saturday is also the date of the nationwide Great American Campout, sponsored by the National Wildlife Federation. There is free camping at Bandelier at the Juniper Campground Saturday, except for the group sites, organizers said.
Sites are first-come, first-served. Campers are advised to store food in their vehicle or the provided bear boxes. Campers also should take care when using established fire grills and never leave them unattended.
Campers and non-campers are welcome to attend the astronomy programs.
For visitors not planning to camp, and arriving between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. parking is available at the White Rock Visitor Center or at the shuttle parking area in Juniper Campground.
Bandelier is just southwest of White Rock off N.M. 4 and about 37 miles from Santa Fe by highway.
For more information, check the park website at www.nps.gov/band, the Facebook page at BandelierNPS, or call the Bandelier Visitor Center at 505-672-3861 ext. 517.