Star gazing at Death Valley National Park/NPS, Weston Kessler

Super blooms at Death Valley National Park require a good soaking of the landscape in the fall months. Super galaxies above the park only require clear, dark skies. Head to Death Valley during the first three days of March and you just might get a chance to spy those stars during the Death Valley Dark Sky Festival.

During the day, the Death Valley Dark Sky Festival rangers and scientists will lead guided hikes to explore the extreme environments of Death Valley and the similarities to other places in the solar system. During the exploration fair at the Furnace Creek Visitor Center, visitors can talk to scientists, observe demonstrations, and attend planetarium talks. Families are also encouraged to attend hands-on space science programs designed specifically for children.

Scientists from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center will present evening programs highlighting what NASA is learning about other worlds. Astronomer Michelle Thaller will take visitors on an interplanetary park tour on Friday night, March 1, and explore places beyond Earth that might be someday designated as “interplanetary parks.” Saturday’s evening program, presented by planetary scientist Paul Mahaffy, will highlight the Curiosity rover’s exploration of the conditions to support life on ancient Mars.

Death Valley offers some of the best stargazing in America. The International Dark-Sky Association has designated Death Valley National Park as a Gold Tier Dark Sky Park, the highest rating of darkness. “Visitors to the park are often amazed by the amount of stars they can see here," said Superintendent Mike Reynolds. "Some people have never seen the Milky Way before visiting Death Valley.”

Visitors can marvel at the night sky through telescopes on Saturday night, March 2, with the Riverside Astronomical Society. Astrophotographers are also invited to meet up for night sky photography in prime park locations. 

The event’s partners include the Death Valley Natural History Association, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Ames Research Center, SETI, the Maturango Museum, and the Riverside Astronomical Society.