Dark Sky Festival
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Fifth Annual Dark Sky Festival. We had a fabulous weekend full of astronomy. The 2019 Dark Sky Festival dates will be announced soon. Below you can find program information and photos from past events.
Photos by Cade Castle and Alison Taggart-Barone
DARK SKY FESTIVAL PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
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Bring on the Night
Join the Sequoia Parks Conservancy and Tioga-Sequoia for our Bring on the Night event to kick off the 5th Annual Dark Sky Festival in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Enjoy a night full of music with the Denali Brass Band and celestial stories from NASA Astronaut Don Thomas. DATE: Friday, September 7th, 2018 LOCATION: 745 Fulton, Fresno, CA 93721 TIME: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM Doors open at 6:00 PM; Event starts at 7:00 PM All ages welcome. TICKET PRICING: -Ages 21 and up: $20 in advance, $25 at the door, includes one drink ticket -Ages 11 thru 20: $10 in advance, $15 at the door -Ages 10 and under: FREE |
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Painting the Dark Sky: Dark Sky Festival Mural
Join local artist Erik Gonzalez for collaborative graffiti-style mural painting and let your creativity skyrocket! Special glow-in-the-dark paints will be used and the mural will remain on display throughout the Festival weekend. |
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The Universe
The Universe!?!? Join us in discussing that age old question “how did the universe come to be?” By flying in 3D through the Universe you will not only be able to view the most distant galaxies but we’ll also learn some stuff along the way. By starting with the Big Bang, we will discuss the two pillars of understanding the Universe –Relativity and Quantum Mechanics, we will also throw in some information on Gravity Waves, LIGO, and the Trappist-1 system. Presented by: Terry Himes |
Terry has his B.S. degree in Computer Science from Michigan State University with a Minor in Systems Analysis. He worked on his M.S. degree at Temple University until starting his own software company in 1979, Princeton Networks Corporation. He began working on deep space projects in 1990, when Jet Propulsion Laboratory's Mars Observer spacecraft was being built at the GE Space Center in Princeton, NJ. He started working directly for NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in 2001 and has worked over 30 deep space missions. At JPL, Terry was the sequence team lead for the next Mars lander called InSight, launched May 5th, 2018, which is now in its cruise phase. He is currently part of the Dawn Spacecraft Team at the dwarf planet called Ceres. Terry was always a space nut, and at the age of 14, set his goal for working at NASA on deep space missions, particularly, Mars.
Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone
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Deep Space Robotic Missions
Come fly with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). In this interactive session learn how NASA’s JPL conducts deep space missions as a senior member of the JPL Spacecraft Team takes you from mission inception and design, to flight, and all the way to landing. With your spacecraft team member, explore the solar system, the cosmic perspective on motion, distance, light-time, and more. Leave excited about planets, asteroids, comets and our space reference systems! Presented by: Terry Himes |
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NASA’s Journey to Mars
What’s going on with InSight!? Since its launch on May 5th InSight is in its cruise phase and making it was towards Mars and is scheduled to land in November! Come and learn all about the InSight mission as we discuss, in vivid detail, the InSight mission and many other recent and future Mars missions. Including Curiosity, Mars 2020 + Helicopter, Mars Sample Return and beyond. Presented by: Terry Himes |
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Constellations in 3D!
Did you know that there are 88 official constellations in the night sky? Join us as we get to know the stars that make up those constellations and gain a new perspective on perhaps your favorite constellation. Presented by: Joshua Roberts |
Josh Roberts is a self-professed “professional space geek” who works in a planetarium in San Francisco. He has been in love with astronomy for 16 years and truly enjoys bringing a different perspective to astronomy and science education. The Andromeda galaxy is his favorite deep space object, since it is a great way for humans to get some perspective on our own galaxy and a great milestone in our current understanding of the size and scale of the universe. Last year, Josh proposed to his girlfriend at the Dark Sky Festival, and this year he is returning a married man!
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Exploring the Night Sky with Binoculars
The greatest tool that we can bring with us when observing the night sky is not only our curiosity but also our very own eyes! In this interactive session, participants will learn about using and selecting binoculars for enhancing not only our observation of the night sky but our curiosity as well! Presented by: Walter Albrecht |
Walter Albrecht is a retired schoolteacher who has been interested in astronomy from a very young age. His favorite deep space object is the Great Andromeda Galaxy, also known as M31, the closest spiral galaxy to our own Milky Way. Walter has built his own telescope using John Dobson's "Sidewalk Telescope" plans. With this telescope, he has been able to observe all of the Messier objects by only using atlases, finders, and star hopping. He looks forward to sharing his techniques with this year’s Dark Sky Festival attendees.
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Which Way is UP? Musings about Motion and Direction in the Universe
We all think we know where “up” is but when one starts to really think about how the earth moves, and how the universe moves, we find the question is not really so simple. Is the North Star really the North Star? Is the equator marker in Ecuador really marking the true equator? Turns out a pyramid aligned very precisely to the north isn’t and sea level is not the level of the sea. Why? Come find out! Presented by: Alex McConahay |
Alex McConahay grew up as the country was preparing to send a man to the moon. However, he did not take up astronomy in earnest until about 1995. His favorite constellation is Orion. He joined the Riverside Astronomical Society and over the course of many years has served in various capacities, including president. He is also very active in outreach with the club. He helped establish the Riverside Astro Imaging Group, the Riverside Astro Imaging Workshop, and the Nightfall Imaging Workshop, and he is an active member of the Astro Imaging Channel on YouTube. He has built several telescopes and has earned a Riverside Telescope Makers Conference (RTMC) Merit Award. For many years, he was a member of the board of trustees and is still an active volunteer for RTMC, a large conference of astronomers held annually in Big Bear, California. He has presented at various clubs, workshops, star parties, and national parks. He is recognized by the Astronomical League as a Master Observer. A retired school teacher and high school principal, he likes to travel and has been to all fifty states and more than 100 countries. He has two grown sons and lives with his wife Judy in Moreno Valley, California. His astroimaging efforts can be seen at www.alexastro.com.
Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone
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Denali Brass Band
Denali Brass is a brass trio from the Los Angeles area and is comprised of some of the best talent Southern California has to offer. Founded in 2014, Denali Brass enjoys combining the beauty of nature and music in a memorable performance you will not soon forget. Deriving their name from the tallest peak in North America, Denali Brass has proven itself to be a commanding group of fine musicians who hope to invoke scenes of nature’s majesty with performances of both established musical standards and premiering new pieces written especially for the group. Denali Brass is thrilled to yet again be a part of the incredible Dark Sky Festival in the beautiful Sequoia National Park, and hope you will enjoy hearing their performance as much as they enjoy playing for you! |
Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone
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Star Party with the Central Valley Astronomers
Telescopes will be set up at Cedar Grove for guests to view astronomical objects. Astronomers will be on hand to show you deep sky objects and answer your questions. Presented by Central Valley Astronomers |
Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone
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Star Party with the Kern Astronomical Society
Telescopes will be set up in the Wuksachi Lodge back parking lot for guests to view astronomical objects. Astronomers will be on hand to show you deep sky objects and answer your questions. Presented by Kern Astronomical Society |
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Water Rockets
Join the US Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Kaweah to explore the wonders of gravity and jet propulsion by making and launching your own 2-liter bottle water rockets! Presented by: The US Army Corps of Engineers |
Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone
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Don Thomas
Keynote address: “Living and Working in Space” In 1990 Dr. Thomas was selected in NASA’s 13th group of astronauts and flew as a mission specialist on four space shuttle missions: STS-65, STS-70, STS-83, and STS-94. During these four missions he performed hundreds of microgravity sciences experiments and helped deploy a large communications satellite from the space shuttle. He has spent a total of 44 days in space and has completed 692 orbits of the Earth. |
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An Illustrated Guided Tour of the Night Sky
Join us under the stars to learn the names and nature of common and unique summer celestial objects. Using the power of a telescope and other technology, take a dive into the nature of deep sky objects. Your aerospace engineer will introduce you to scientific and historical basis for the current state of knowledge in astronomy, astrophysics, planetology, 'space weather', astrobiology, and more. Presented by: James (Mike) Ryan and Star Chaserz |
Star Chaserz is a non-profit organization dedicated to the teaching and promotion of astronomy.
Norman and Laura Nasise,
Co-Founders of Star Chaserz.
Co-Founders of Star Chaserz.
Star Chaserz’s has developed a mobile observatory SUV in response to the ever increasing problem with light pollution. This mobile observatory has a mounted 14” Meade Telescope which raises from inside the vehicle making this the perfect remote observatory. The wonders of the night’s sky can be viewed on a flat screen TV mounted to the SUV. It is Star Chaserz’s mission to educate the public, especially our youth on the uniqueness and beauty of the night’s sky. Star Chaserz, along with Mike Ryan, will be presenting a unique look at the cosmos in “A Guided Illustrated Tour of the Night Sky”, on both Friday and Saturday night.
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James Michael Ryan, aka Mike Ryan, has been fascinated by astronomy ever since 1957, when he discovered a tiny plastic telescope in a box of Cracker Jacks. After pointing it at the moon later that day, he was hooked. His favorite space objects are Saturn, the Orion constellation, and M42/M43 (the Orion Nebula). He has served on the astronomy staff at Morrison Planetarium and the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco. He also works for Chabot Space and Science Center in Oakland, the College of San Mateo, and Merritt College. Mike is a former aerospace systems engineer, working for Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and Aerojet-Rocketdyne. For over 50 years, he has been a member and officer of the San Mateo County Astronomical Society, as well as president of the Astronomical Association of Northern California, and is also on the San Francisco Astronomical Association board. Mike also finds time to volunteer with NASA JPL's Solar System Ambassadors' Program.
Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone
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All About Telescopes
Have you been interested in buying your own telescope? The options are as limitless as the stars. Join this longtime amateur astronomer and telescope lover for an interactive orientation to telescope makes, models, options, and vocabulary. You will learn about strengths and weaknesses depending on the setting and models to maximize your desired experience.Bring questions! Presented by: Darren Bly |
Darren Bly has been an amateur astronomer for 46 years and a member of The Kern Astronomical Society (KAS) for 40 years. He has acted as president, vice president, star party coordinator and equipment chairman for the KAS and loves to talk about and teach astronomy.
Photo by Jeremy Evans
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Our National Parks and Public Lands After Dark
See and learn about night sky photography in our national parks and public lands of the West featuring images from Sequoia, Yellowstone, Yosemite National Parks, and more.. Explore light pollution and prevention, basic astrophotography techniques, long exposure, time-lapse videos, the Milky Way, lunar rainbows aka “moonbows”, meteor showers, and light painting, followed by some bonus images and videos from the August 2017 solar eclipse and the January 2018 “Super Moon” lunar eclipse. The images captured span a journey of over ten years in the remote backcountry of the Sierra Nevada and other parks. Whether you want to learn more about night photography or simply just enjoy night images this program is sure to inspire all ages and skill levels. Presented by: Jeremy Evans |
Jeremy Evans is a landscape and night sky photographer based in Los Angeles, California. His images have been published in many nature books and wilderness calendars, and he has photographs on display in Yosemite and throughout the Eastern Sierra. He holds a degree in film and video production and his career as a filmmaker and camera operator includes Emmy nominated work for The Discovery Channel, HBO, PBS, National Geographic, Showtime, ABC, and The Smithsonian Channel. He leads backpacking trips into the Sierra Nevada and is a wilderness first responder. He is also a delegate for the International Dark Sky Association, helping to preserve our night skies and prevent light pollution.
Jeremy became obsessed with amateur astronomy at a very young age while photographing the two great comets of the 1990s, Hyakutake and Hale Bopp. His favorite constellation is Orion, and his favorite deep space object is the Andromeda galaxy, as you will see several of in his exhibits and programs. Jeremy’s awards include first place in the Canon Photography in the Parks contest, a finalist in the 2014 Wilderness Forever Smithsonian exhibit, a participant in the 2016 100 Years of National Parks exhibit, and a participant in the 2017 Designed Environment exhibit at the G2 Gallery in Los Angeles. He was also just awarded the Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award for Excellence in Broadcast and Digital Journalism.
When not working on television shows and documentaries, Jeremy spends up to 80 nights a year doing photography or leading backpacking trips in the High Sierra backcountry and many other national parks and public lands. Most of his images are captured from high and remote places off the beaten path. It is Jeremy’s hope that the images he captures will bring environmental awareness to others, help protect our shared earth, and inspire others to help preserve and protect our night skies from light pollution.
Jeremy became obsessed with amateur astronomy at a very young age while photographing the two great comets of the 1990s, Hyakutake and Hale Bopp. His favorite constellation is Orion, and his favorite deep space object is the Andromeda galaxy, as you will see several of in his exhibits and programs. Jeremy’s awards include first place in the Canon Photography in the Parks contest, a finalist in the 2014 Wilderness Forever Smithsonian exhibit, a participant in the 2016 100 Years of National Parks exhibit, and a participant in the 2017 Designed Environment exhibit at the G2 Gallery in Los Angeles. He was also just awarded the Alfred I. DuPont-Columbia University Award for Excellence in Broadcast and Digital Journalism.
When not working on television shows and documentaries, Jeremy spends up to 80 nights a year doing photography or leading backpacking trips in the High Sierra backcountry and many other national parks and public lands. Most of his images are captured from high and remote places off the beaten path. It is Jeremy’s hope that the images he captures will bring environmental awareness to others, help protect our shared earth, and inspire others to help preserve and protect our night skies from light pollution.
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Star Gazing
Telescopes will be set up to view deep sky celestial objects, come with your curiosity and get ready to explore the night in an informal setting!
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Kidz Zone with Astronaut Don Thomas
Calling all kids: have you ever trained like an astronaut or seen a comet up close? Join NASA Astronaut Don Thomas, National Park Service Ranger, Catherine Blanch, and Sequoia Field Institute Naturalists for an out of this world experience! |
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The Antikythera Mechanism: The 2000 year old eclipse computer
One hundred years ago, sponge divers discovered a rusted bronze mechanism off the Greek island of Antikythera. Over the years, scientists, astronomers and mathematicians toiled to unlock it's secrets. Advances in technology and an international team of astronomical historians pieced the mystery together to discover the oldest computer in the world! A working model of this 2,000 year old eclipse computer has been reconstructed using 3,700 Lego pieces. That model will be on display to illustrate how the ancient scientists were able to track the sun and the moon. Using the model Antikythera Mechanism we will explore lunar phases and orbit and the significance the heavenly bodies held for ancient cultures. Presented by: Khaled Alkotob |
Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone
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See Our Sun
What has spots bigger than the Earth? What has red prominences that leap like flames from its edge? What star gives us life and has enough mass to keep us from spinning off into the cosmos, but is rarely seen? The Sun! Join us for a rare opportunity to safely look at the Sun. Astronomers will set up their solar telescopes for public viewing and questions. Come spend a few minutes learning about our very own star. Presented by: The Riverside Astronomical Society |
Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone
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The 2000 Foot Solar System Walk
It is called “space” for a reason. If the sun were a large grapefruit in our model, the earth would be a grape seed fifty feet away, and there would not be much in between!! Come walk a 2,000 foot scale model of the Solar System, learning along the way some interesting facts about our place in the Universe. How hot does it get? How cold? What do we owe to Jupiter? Does Saturn really have rings? How can Hans Solo fly through an asteroid field? Why did Pluto get demoted? It is all there for you. Presented by: Jose Castro |
Photo by Cade Castle
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NightScapes: Using your Camera After Dark
There is no need to put your camera away when the sun goes down. Amateur imagers are capturing the beauty of the night sky with simple digital cameras and a tripod. Join this international traveller and long-time amateur astronomer for an introduction to the how-to’s of night time photography using standard digital cameras and free or low cost software. Covered topics include cameras and equipment, subject selection, composition, focusing, exposure, and bringing out the best of your images. This is a workshop that may reimagine photography for you as you travel the globe and night skies. Presented by: Alex McConahay |
Photo via savingthedark.com
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Saving the Dark: Film
From the award-winning director of Lost in Light, comes the follow-up documentary, Saving The Dark. This film captures what dark skies really mean for the health of all life on the planet and what is being done on all levels to reclaim and steward California’s dark skies. Using beautiful cinematography and new information, this film invites and excites each person to protect and enjoy the ‘other half of the day.’ This film features a National Park Service Ranger as well as 2016 Dark Sky Festival presenter, Tyler Nordgren, among others. It is about the significance of astronomy and the night skies, effects of light pollution on astronomy, human health, wildlife and beyond, and what we can do to fight it. Presented by: Sriram Murali |
Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone
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Sequoia and Kings Canyon Night Skies
Half the park is after dark! For decades park visitors have been traveling to national parks to view the night skies. Join the conversation with Branch Chief of Physical Sciences and Air Resources Specialist, Annie Esperanza, to learn what Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are doing he to help preserve and protect our night skies! Presented by: Annie Esperanza |
Annie M. Esperanza is the Air Resources Specialist for the Division of Resources Management and Science at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI). For 35 years, Annie has been involved with air resource issues in and around Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, where she oversees monitoring and research on air-related projects, provides information for educational outreach, and works with local, state, and federal agencies to help build a constituency for clean air.
Annie’s work includes understanding the actual and potential effects of acid deposition, ozone, airborne contaminants, particulate matter, increased nutrient deposition to park resources, wildland fire/smoke, and other resources management issues. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Annie and SEKI staff became involved with efforts to pilot night skies and natural soundscapes monitoring, developing a growing understanding of the importance of night skies and soundscapes to both the natural and cultural landscapes of national parks. This work led to the formation of a new NPS program – the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division.
Annie’s work includes understanding the actual and potential effects of acid deposition, ozone, airborne contaminants, particulate matter, increased nutrient deposition to park resources, wildland fire/smoke, and other resources management issues. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Annie and SEKI staff became involved with efforts to pilot night skies and natural soundscapes monitoring, developing a growing understanding of the importance of night skies and soundscapes to both the natural and cultural landscapes of national parks. This work led to the formation of a new NPS program – the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division.
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Life on Other Worlds: Special Crystal Cave tour
Have you ever wonder if there really is a possibility of life on other worlds? Caves, like Crystal Cave, are extreme environments where astrobiologists can study how animals and plants survive in the absence of sunlight light, predictable food sources, or with toxic air. Cave extremophiles can help astrobiologists get some ideas about life on other planets. Come and see us during our special Dark Sky Festival programs and find out more. Reserve your tickets now at www.recreation.gov. Presented by: Sequoia Parks Conservancy Field Institute Naturalists |
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Lifecycle of a Star: From Birth to Death
“Twinkle, twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are.” Wonder no more! Join this interactive session to answer to all sorts of questions about stars. Hear about a star’s life cycle from birth to death: beginning in a stellar nursery and dying peacefully (for a star like our own sun) or violently (for a more massive star). Learn to identify different stages and types of stars. We will focus on observations with the Hubble Space Telescope and future observations with the James Webb Space Telescope. Presented by: Stacey Newbold Bright |
Sriram Murali is a filmmaker and public education volunteer for the International Dark Sky Association. He has a passion for astronomy and uses photography and film making to create awareness about light pollution. His work has been published in National Geographic, Time, and several other magazines. While these pursuits are his hobby, he also works full-time as an analyst, fighting abuse on the internet. He has been interested in astronomy for 17 years, spurred by a chapter on the universe in his 10th grade physics class. His favorite constellation is Orion, and his favorite deep sky object is the Andromeda galaxy.
Khaled Alkotob is a retired professional photographer. He resides in Fresno, California and calls Fresno State his alma matter. After building his Antikythera mechanism, he was invited to share his experience with the Central Valley Astronomers (CVA). He is now a member of CVA and travels with other members setting up his telescope at public venues to share his enthusiasm about the cosmos.
Ranger-Led Programs
Foothills Feature: The Sun
Foothills Feature: The Sun
- Join a National Park Service Ranger to learn about our planets amazing and only star.
- Take a 3.6 billion mile hike through Grant Grove on a 1 hour planet walk to explore the distances between the planets in our solar system
- Have you ever wondered what that shadow was that flies across the sky in the evening? Come down to Cedar Grove and learn about some of the winged creatures of our night skies! Find out what adaptations owls and bats have evolved to be able to live and fly in darkness, and learn which species call Sequoia and Kings Canyon home!
- The dark skies above Sequoia National Park have inspired generations of stargazers. Come dive into the Milky Way and learn the stories and science behind the celestial objects we know and love.
- Bats flit by in the night, making it hard to know how well we are preserving their habitat. Join scientists as they use mist nets to catch bats, then collect data to figure out what species live in the park and how healthy they are. You will see a live feed from an infrared video camera of activity at the nets and data table. Staff will help you learn about the bats you see.
- Visitors will learn more about the "dark" mysteries of the universe and how we are studying them to help give more insight into the night sky.
- Walk among giant sequoias after dark. Learn about what they do at night and about who else is awake in the park.
Meredith Elgart, on the left in this photo, has been a Park Ranger for 6 years. This is her 3rd year at Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks. She works in the Interpretation Division in Grant Grove, Kings Canyon National Park and says "I've found my park!"
Hello! My name is Allen and I'm an Interpretive Park Ranger at the Foothills Visitor Center in Sequoia National Park; I've been working permanently in Sequoia since November of last year. I just did my first backpacking trip here in Sequoia, and was in sheer awe at just how MANY stars are out-- wow!!!
This is Mary Feitz' first season at Sequoia National Park. She grew up appreciating the wide open night skies of her home state of Kansas, and hopes that Sequoia's winning combination of dark skies, giant trees, and towering mountains will leave you as awestruck as they have left her.
Hi I'm Lauren Harre and I'm super excited to be working my first season at King's Canyon National Park this summer. I have a degree in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, and have done internships and ranger positions in Kodiak, Alaska, the Florida Keys, and the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina with the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service. My passion is wildlife and communicating it's importance to people- I've worked with everything from Kodiak bears to the little Key Deer, and I love them all.
I have been a park ranger for 5 years all over the country. In the last few parks I have worked at, there has been a focus on astronomy and dark skies, which has captured my interest. I am still relatively new to the world of astronomy, but I hope to bring the stars down to a level to help people learn about them more and hopefully spark the interest of more people to go out and learn about the sky above us.
Thank you to our supporters.
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Sequoia Parks Conservancy, the official 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (National Park Service) and Lake Kaweah (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers), uses tax-deductible contributions to support these parks.
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Sequoia Parks Conservancy
47050 Generals Hwy Unit 10 Three Rivers, CA 93271 
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