Forum Discussion

TenOC's avatar
TenOC
Nomad
Dec 24, 2016

Looking for a good "dark sky" ranger lead education program.

This Spring/summer I will be traveling from TN to WA. I MUST be back in TN for the total solar eclipse on August 21 2017. I am very flexible with my plans. I am looking for a good "dark sky" education program. I have seen University of Texas McDonald Observatory star date presentation. I give it a A+. I have also seen the ranger led presentation at the Badlands of SD. I give it a B-.

Anyone have a A+ suggestion?
  • Thunder_Mountai's avatar
    Thunder_Mountai
    Explorer II
    Dec 24, 2016
    Natural Bridges National Monument is a night sky designated location. I would imagine they have programs during the summer season.
  • robbiesgram's avatar
    robbiesgram
    Explorer
    Dec 24, 2016
    Try contacting both Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park, they have some of the darkest skies in the US.
  • profdant139's avatar
    profdant139
    Explorer II
    Dec 24, 2016
    Bryce is a designated dark sky park, with ranger-led programs. I don't know how good it is -- folks seem to like it, but I have not attended one myself.
  • NCWriter's avatar
    NCWriter
    Explorer
    Dec 24, 2016
    Chaco Culture National Historical Park. Has its own observatory and is a Dark Sky location.
  • Rug's avatar
    Rug
    Explorer II
    Dec 24, 2016
    You might want to check out Kitt Peak in AZ.
    We have not been there but I hear its a good place.
    I think West Texas is the best place. From Big Bend to Fort Davis.
  • magnusfide's avatar
    magnusfide
    Explorer II
    Dec 24, 2016
    TenOC wrote:
    This Spring/summer I will be traveling from TN to WA. I MUST be back in TN for the total solar eclipse on August 21 2017. I am very flexible with my plans. I am looking for a good "dark sky" education program. I have seen University of Texas McDonald Observatory star date presentation. I give it a A+. I have also seen the ranger led presentation at the Badlands of SD. I give it a B-.

    Anyone have a A+ suggestion?

    IMO U of Texas is the only one I would give an A+.

    Bryce Canyon we like for our own personal "star parties". I would give their formal "Night Sky" program an A because it's friendly for beginners.
  • azdryheat's avatar
    azdryheat
    Explorer
    Dec 24, 2016
    Rug wrote:
    You might want to check out Kitt Peak in AZ.
    We have not been there but I hear its a good place.
    I think West Texas is the best place. From Big Bend to Fort Davis.
    Kitt Peak is an awesome experience and they do have night-time sky watching. Kitt Peak is not a Dark-Sky location.
  • timandsusan's avatar
    timandsusan
    Explorer
    Dec 24, 2016
    I have been to both Bryce and McDonald--if you have missed one, then go to it. All will provide very interesting information! Also the staff is really interested in what they are doing. To bad you are not going via Hawaii--the programs on top of Mauna Kea at 14,000 feet are also A+--we did that also.
  • donkeydew's avatar
    donkeydew
    Explorer
    Dec 24, 2016
    great basin national park is a designated international dark sky park and has a excellent program.

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