Astronomy Festival

Join Us Throughout Southwest Utah For Both Daytime And Nighttime Astronomy Programs. From Cedar Breaks To Zion, Or Cedar City To St. George, Come Experience A Dark Night Sky Close To Home.

Schedule Of Events

Sunset: 7:57 PM; Astronomical Twilight End: 8:58 PM; Moonrise: 9:04 PM;

5:30 PM To 7:30 PM - Southern Utah Museum Of Art (SUMA)

Cedar City, SUMA, 13 S 300 W, Cedar City

In Partnership With Cedar Breaks National Park, Southern Utah Museum Of Art Is Excited To Host A Community Evening To Celebrate Our Night Skies. We’ll Highlight The Significant Designation Of Cedar Breaks As A National Dark Sky Park And What That Means For Iron County Community Members. Patrons Will Enjoy Sweet Treats, A Unique Opportunity To View Art From SUMA’s Permanent Collection, A Hands-On Art Activity Suited To All Ages, And The Opportunity To View The Sun Through A Solarscope.

8 PM To 11 PM - Star Party At Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument, Point Supreme Overlook

Stargazing With Rangers And Volunteers From The St George Astronomy Group. Take A Tour Of The Solar System, The Milky Way, And The Galaxy. Learn About Constellations And Asterisms, How They Connect Cultures Across The Oceans Of Time, And The Upcoming Annular And Total Eclipses.

8 PM To 10:30 PM - Star Party At Zion National Park

South Campground Amphitheatre
We Will Rock You! Learn About Meteorites And Other Rocks In Space With NASA And SETI Scientist Peter Jenniskens. Talk Followed By Constellation Tour.

8 PM To 10:30 PM - SUU Star Party At Ashcroft Observatory

SUU’s Ashcroft Observatory, 745 S Hillcrest Dr, Cedar City, UT 84720

At The Ashcroft Observatory, We Will Be Observing A Number Of Highlights In The Milky Way Including The Lagoon Nebula And The Double Cluster. The Two Largest Planets Of The Solar System, Jupiter And Saturn, Will Also Be Up, And Saturn’s Ring Will Dazzle In The Eyepiece. Additionally, The Moon Will Be In An Attractive Crescent Phase That Will Be Very Favorable For Viewing. The Ashcroft Observatory Is Located Just Off Westview Drive Near The SUU Farm.

8 PM To 11 PM - Star Party By Members Of Kanab’s Nonprofit Stellar Vista Observatory

Jackson Flat Reservoir Boat Launch, Kaneplex Drive, Kanab. This Location Is Close To Town With Restrooms.

Learn How To Operate One Of SVO’s Small Portable Telescopes Or Bring Your Own And Join The Fun! Find Out About SVO’s Plans To Build An Educational Astronomical Observatory In Kanab For Public Enjoyment Of The Night Sky.

8 PM To 11 PM - Astrophotography Workshop With Don Riddle At Cedar Breaks National Monument (Registration Required)

Cedar Breaks National Monument - Campground Pavilion

Join Astrophotography Expert Don Riddle To Learn The Basics Of Astrophotography. This Workshop Is Intended For Beginner Astrophotographers Looking To Start Exploring How To Take Night Time Pictures. Learn The Properties Of Various Camera Formats, Exposure Times, Composition, Etc. 10 People Maximum.