Astronomers Present Free Star Programs at Grand Canyon National Park

 The nineteenth annual Grand Canyon Star Party will be held from Saturday, June 13 through Saturday, June 20, 2009 on the South and North Rims of Grand Canyon National Park.

This event is sponsored by the National Park Service, the Tucson Amateur Astronomy Association (South Rim), and the Saguaro Astronomy Club of Phoenix (North Rim). Amateur astronomers from across the country will volunteer their expertise. Free
star programs will be offered, and numerous telescopes will be set up to view planets, star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae at night, and to view the sun by day. 

Grand Canyon is one of the best night sky viewing sites in the United States; and Grand Canyon National Park is proud to be offering a star party event during the International Year of Astronomy.

On the South Rim, events include a slide show nightly at 8:00 p.m. next to Yavapai Observation Station, followed by free telescope viewing. Parking is very limited. Plan to walk or arrive by free shuttle bus. For a comfortable spot at the slide shows, arrive early and bring something to sit on.