The Grand Canyon National Park usually holds an annual star party that attracts many stargazers. This year due to the Covid-19 pandemic the on-site event is cancelled but that doesn’t mean the star party is cancelled. From June 13 -20, there will be a virtual star party with a great lineup of guest speakers including Dr. John Barentine, Dr. Danielle Adams and Dr. Vishnu Reddy.
Each evening the Grand Canyon National Park will be premiering two videos on their Facebook platform. Each speaker will connect video cameras to telescopes and pick out celestial objects for their presentations. See below for a full list of events happening.
More details at: https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/grand-canyon-star-party.htm
Saturday, June 13, 2020
6 pm (PDT) Dark Skies in Isolation: Why Protecting the Night Sky is More Important Than Ever
Learn about the work of the International Dark Sky Association and the state of light pollution during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. John Barentine – Director of Public Policy – International Dark Sky Association
7 pm (PDT) Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 1
by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association.
Sunday, June 14, 2020
6 pm (PDT) Lions, Vultures, and a Scorpion, Oh My! A Summer Jaunt through Arabian Skies
Discover the beauty of the constellations from Ancient Arabia overhead in our summer night skies.
Dr. Danielle Adams – Deputy Director of Marketing and Communications – Lowell Observatory
7 pm (PDT) Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 2
by Focus Astronomy
.
Monday, June 15, 2020
6 pm (PDT) A Tour Through the Universe
Take a spin through the entire universe and learn about the immensities of space!
Dean Regas – Astronomer and Author – Cincinnati Observatory
7 pm (PDT) Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 3
by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
.
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
6 pm (PDT) Infant Galaxies to Alien Atmospheres: NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope
Join a NASA astrophysicist as she unveils the plans for the revolutionary new instrument that will study our deepest origins: The NASA James Webb Space Telescope.
Dr. Amber Straughn – Astrophysicist – NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center
7 pm (PDT) Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 4
by Focus Astronomy
Wednesday, June 17, 2020
6 pm (PDT) The Art of Photographing Dark Skies
Get a snapshot course in how to take beautiful night sky photography.
Shreenivasan Manievannan – Night Sky Photographer – GoPro
7 pm (PDT) Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 5
by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
.
Thursday, June 18, 2020
6 pm (PDT) One Giant Leap: Apollo Astronaut Training in the Grand Canyon
Retrace the footsteps of the Apollo Astronauts to the bottom of the Grand Canyon as part of their training for their epic journeys to the Moon.
Kevin Schindler – Historian – Lowell Observatory
7 pm (PDT) Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 6
by Focus Astronomy
.
Friday, June 19, 2020
6 pm (PDT) Astrophotography for Beginners
Get a snapshot course in how to take beautiful night sky photography.
Bettymaya Foott – Director of Engagement – International Dark Sky Association
7 pm (PDT) Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 7
by the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association
.
Saturday, June 20, 2020
6 pm (PDT) Planetary Defense: Surveying the Sky for Killer Asteroids
Learn about our knowledge of meteors and what astronomers do to mitigate the threats of meteor impacts.
Dr. Vishnu Reddy – Associate Professor – Lunar and Planetary Lab at the University of Arizona
7 pm (PDT) Virtual Grand Canyon Star Party: Session 8
by Focus Astronomy
