Lassen’s 2018 Dark Sky Festival This Weekend
Friday through Saturday, August 3-4, 2018
Join park rangers, astronomers, and astrobiologists in celebrating all that is out of this world during Lassen’s Dark Sky Festival. Special programs, presentations, hikes, and Junior Ranger Night Explorer activities will be offered during the festival. View photos from the Dark Sky Festival on Flickr.
All Lassen Events Are Continuing as Scheduled
Smoke impacts from the nearby Carr Fire have lessened in recent days. Smoke from other fires in the area may still impact night sky viewing opportunities. Learn more about how to protect yourself from wildfire smoke here.
View the 2018 program schedule and descriptions (updated 7/31).
Highlights Include:
- Nightly constellation tours and stargazing
- Astronomy activities including solar scope viewing, Junior Ranger Astronomy, and hands-on activities
- Discussions and demonstrations by National Park Dark Sky rangers, NASA, the International Dark Sky Association, StarChazerz, and the Astronomical Society of Nevada.
New Events in the Redding Area:
- All Whiskeytown Events are cancelled due to the Carr Fire.
- Special showing at Schreder Planetarium 8/3 – 7 pm | $8 per person | Ticket pre-purchase recommended
Schreder Planetarium is proud to work with our partners Lassen Volcanic National Park and Whiskeytown National Recreation Area during International Dark Sky Week. On August 3rd at 7:00 we will have a special showing in the planetarium about the unique dark skies of our area and what that means to stargazers. We will open with a traditional video courtesy of Yosemite National Park, followed by a night sky dome presentation emphasizing those small lovely objects best seen in deep blackness, such as comets, nebula, and galaxies. The two shows that night will be New Horizons which has great views of comets, and Two Small Pieces of Glass, which features the telescope and amazing views of the night sky. We hope our visitors will also enjoy the real skies of our local national parks.
Parking for Manzanita Lake Evening and Night Programs
The Manzanita Lake Amphitheater is located on the road to the Manzanita Lake Campground. Telescope viewing will take place in an unpaved open space across from the Manzanita Lake D-loop. Please park in the Manzanita Lake boat launch parking area for both programs. Limited parking is available in front of the Camper Store. Parking in the campground is reserved for campers only.
Enjoy a peak at Lassen Volcanic National Park’s incredible dark, night sky and learn more about what the Lassen Dark Sky Festival is all about. go.nps.gov/darksky
