L ASSEN VOLCANICN A T I O N A L P A R K

D a r k S k y F e s t i v a l

LASSEN VOLCANICN A T I O N A L P A R K

D a r k S k y F e s t i v a l

Program ScheduleManzanita Lake (ML) | Loomis Museum (Loomis) | Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center (KYVC) | Bumpass Hell Parking Area (Bumpass Hell)

Friday, August 11 Event Location

10:00a - 11:00a The City Dark Film KYVC

11:00a - 1:00p Solar Scope Viewing Bumpass Hell

1:00p - 3:00p Art & Science Faire Loomis Plaza

3:00p - 4:00p The City Dark Film Loomis

3:00p - 4:00p The Magic of Astronomy KYVC

8:30p - 9:30p What’s NEW with New Horizons! ML Amphitheater

8:30p - 9:30p Searching for Life on Exoplanets KYVC Amphitheater

9:30 - 11:00p A Guided Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky KYVC Patio

9:30p - 11:00p Telescope Viewing Bumpass Hell, MLCG

Saturday, August 12

9:30a - 11:30a Jr. Ranger Astronomy ML Amphitheater

10:00a - 11:00a The City Dark Film KYVC

11:00a - 1:00p Solar Scope Viewing Bumpass Hell

12:00p - 3:00p NASA Astrobiology Tent Sulphur Works

12:00p - 1:00p Lost in Light Loomis

1:00p - 3:00p Art & Science Faire Loomis

2:00p - 3:00p Ask a NASA Astronomer Loomis

2:00p - 3:00p The Magic of Astronomy KYVC

3:00p - 4:00p The City Dark Film Loomis

3:30p - 4:30p Astrochemistry: Chemistry of the Stars KYVC

8:30p - 9:30p The Story of the Universe ML Amphitheater

8:30p - 9:30p Exploring Mars for Habitable Environments & Life KYVC Amphitheater

9:30 - 11:00p A Guided Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky KYVC Patio

9:30p - 11:00p Telescope Viewing Bumpass Hell, MLCG

Sunday, August 13

9:30a - 11:30a Jr. Ranger Astronomy ML Amphitheater

10:00a - 11:00a The City Dark Film KYVC

11:00a - 1:00p Solar Scope Viewing Bumpass Hell

12:00p - 3:00p NASA Astrobiology Tent Sulphur Works

12:00p - 1:00p The Magic of Astronomy Loomis

1:00p - 3:00p Art & Science Faire Loomis

2:00p - 3:00p Ask a NASA Astronomer Loomis

2:00p - 3:00p Scientific Exploration of Mars on Earth KYVC

3:00p - 4:00p The City Dark Film Loomis

3:30p - 4:30p Lost in Light KYVC

9:30p - 11:00p Telescope Viewing Bumpass Hell Only

Thank you!We appreciate your interest in protecting dark night skies and hope that you continue to experience the wonder of a starry night with friends and family. Donations received during the festival will benefit future park astronomy events.

Junior Ranger Night Explorer (ages 5-12)Earn a Night Explorer patch by completing activities in the Night Explorer workbook available at the KYVC or the Loomis Museum. Supplies limited.

Night Time Observing TipsDress warmly for nighttime events.Do not use flashlights. Your eyes will become accustomed to the darkness.Food, beverages, and smoking are prohibited.Stargazing activities may be cancelled in the event of cloudy, stormy, or smoky weather. Check with park staff for more information.If you don’t see the object through the telescope, let the operator know.Averting your vision to the side of an object will often bring out more detail.Amateur astronomers are welcome to set up their own observation equipment at telescope viewing locations. Please check with staff on where to setup.

L ASSEN VOLCANICN A T I O N A L P A R K

D a r k S k y F e s t i v a l

LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK | Dark Sky Festival

Program DescriptionsArt and Science FaireEnjoy interactive exhibits where you can make space art, play with the sun, learn about preserving our dark sky, and meet people who study space for a living.

Ask a NASA AstronomerSachin Shenoy, NASAOur universe is filled with mystery. From dark matter to black holes, enjoy this opportunity to ask a NASA astronomer about anything that sparks your cosmic curiosity!

Astrochemistry: Chemistry of the StarsDr. Gustavo Cruz Diaz, NASA Ames Research CenterAstrochemistry provides a record of chemical processes over the history of the universe and establishes markers to search for in exploration of extraterrestrial environments. Learn more about this incredible science from an expert on the subject.

The City Dark Film ScreeningFilmmaker Ian Cheney asks a simple question, do we need the stars? This critically acclaimed film features stunning astrophotography and a cast of eclectic scientists. The City Dark is the definitive story of light pollution and the disappearing stars.

Exploring Mars for Habitable Environments and LifeDr. David DesMarais, NASA Ames Research CenterThe climate of Mars has been more Earth-like than that of any other planet in our Solar System. NASA’s orbiters and landers found evidence of extensive stream systems and lakes. Spirit rover discovered ancient hot spring deposits. Curiosity rover is mapping deposits formed by ancient streams and a long-lived lake. Learn more about these exiting discoveries and recent updates from Mars.

A Guided Illustrated Tour of the Night SkyThe Nasise and Ryan Families, Star ChaserzA mobile observatory provides a unique look at the cosmos by projecting realtime images of planets and deep space objects onto a large screen. This narrated tour accompanied by music is a perennial favorite of Dark Sky Festival goers. Camp chairs and blankets arerecommended.

Junior Ranger AstronomyActivities for 6 to 12 year oldsJunior Rangers will learn that Half the Park is After Dark through fun activities and take home some great lessons about the importance of preserving and protecting our dark night skies for future generations.

Lost in LightSriram Murali, FilmmakerJoin award winning filmmaker, Sriram Murali, for a screening and discussion of his two short films Lost in Light and Lost in Light II on the importance of preserving dark night skies.

The Magic of AstronomyDr. William Mehm, Truckee Meadows Community CollegeJoin scientist and magician Dr. William Mehm for an entertaining and magical look at the science of astronomy and its history and relevance to our daily lives. Witness as magic brings the life cycle of stars, effects of gravity, the expanding universe, space technology, and the possibility of aliens in space to life.

NASA Astrobiology TentNASA Ames Research Center ScientistsMeet with NASA scientists to find out more about astrobiology the study of the origin, evolution, distribution, and future of life in the universe! Stop by Sulphur Works and take home something from NASA.

Scientific Exploration of Mars on EarthDr. Mary Beth Wilhelm, NASA Ames Research CenterLearn about recent scientific expeditions in some of the most Mars-like places on Earth: Antarctica and the Atacama Desert in Chile and how scientists uses these environments as natural laboratories to learn more about how geology and potentially biology might operate on Mars.

Searching for Life on ExoplanetsDr. Niki Parenteau, NASA Ames Research CenterResearchers estimate that each of the roughly 100 billion stars in our Milky Way galaxy should have at least one exoplanet. What would life look like on planets orbiting around stars different than our sun? Discover how studing life in the hot springs at Lassen can help inform our search of life elsewhere

The Story of the UniverseDerek Demeter, Buehler PlanetariumEnjoy storytelling of cosmic proportions as Mr. Demeter whisks guests through space and time in an exploration of the vast history of our understanding of the universe starting with our earliest ancestors and their ideas about the cosmos to the modern-day telescopes and spacecraft that have enhanced our knowledge in unbelievable ways.

Telescope Viewing Lassen’s dark night sky is a treasure and the reason for our festival! Stop by for laser-guided tours of the constellations along with telescopes pointed at planets, star clusters, dying stars, and distant galaxies. Telescope viewing takes place in the Bumpass Hell parking area and next to the Manzanita Lake Campground D-loop.

Solar Scope ViewingCome and safely marvel at our closest star through a solar scope and learn some surprising and interesting facts about the center of our solar system.

What’s NEW With New Horizons!Brian Grigsby, Shasta High School/NASAIn July 2015, the New Horizons Missions accomplished what no other spacecraft or telescope has ever done: explored the outermost reaches of our solar system by visiting the dwarf planet Pluto. See what is on the horizon for New Horizons as it ventures deep into the distant, mysterious Kuiper Belt—a relic of solar system formation.