About the Festival
The Dark Sky Festival is the largest night sky festival in Central California and takes place in various locations throughout Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks including the Foothills, Mineral King, Giant Forest, Lodgepole, Grant Grove, Cedar Grove, as well as Lake Kaweah in Three Rivers. Over 50 programs will be offered this year including tours, stargazing, guest speakers, movies, musical performances, and more.

Festival attendance has steadily grown each year, with over 5,000 attendees in 2018. We strongly encourage planning overnight accommodations well in advance at www.recreation.gov or www.visitsequoia.com.

​About the Night Sky
The night sky of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is nationally recognized. The darkness not only adds to the beauty of its natural landscapes, but also contributes to the health of wildlife. As most of the world is faced with the effects of artificial light pollution, the Dark Sky Festival aims to educate people about the importance of preserving natural darkness and inspire them to take action in their own communities.

We hope you join us for the sixth annual Dark Sky Festival and share your passion for the night sky and astronomy.

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2019 Program Descriptions

The Antikythera Mechanism: the 2000-year-old Greek Computer
Presented By Khaled Alkotob 

One hundred years ago, sponge divers discovered a rusted bronze mechanism off the Greek island of Antikythera. After decades of mystery, an international team of astronomical historians discovered that this mystifying object was the oldest computer in the world. Come see a working model of this 2,000-year-old eclipse computer and learn of its history. ​

Nightscapes: Reconnections
Presented by Alex McConahay 

Join international traveller and long-time amateur astronomer, Alex McConahay, for an introduction to nighttime photography, using standard digital cameras and free or low cost software. Topics include cameras and equipment, subject selection, composition, focusing, exposure, and editing. This is a workshop that may reimagine photography for you as you travel the globe and night skies.

Hidden Wonders in the Night Sky
Presented by Janet Wood

Take a tour of the constellations in the Northern Hemisphere’s night sky and visit our planets and deep sky objects as seen through the great observing telescopes Hubble, Chandra, and Spitzer. You will learn about the many spacecraft missions to various planets that appear in summer constellations. Also, explore the history of how our constellations were first identified and named and learn some of the folklore associated with them.

Finding the Answers in Astro Images
Presented by Alex McConahay

Throughout most of modern history, humans have always had the answers to who we were, where we were, and how everything worked - until we connected to our night skies. Astronomical images have dramatically changed the way that we view the world and ourselves. Come see how Astro Images throughout the ages have shaken the world as we knew it and made everything different.    ​

Astrophotography in our National Parks
​Presented by Jeremy Evans

Photo by Jeremy Evans

Learn about astrophotography in our national parks and public lands of the west featuring images from Yellowstone, Yosemite, Sequoia, Death Valley, and more. Through amazing photos, you’ll explore light pollution and its effect on health and wildlife, the Milky Way, lunar rainbows, meteor showers, light painting, and basic astrophotography techniques. Come learn more about night photography or simply enjoy the slideshow.

All About Telescopes
Presented by Darren Bly

Have you been interested in buying your own telescope? Join a longtime amateur astronomer and telescope lover for an interactive orientation to telescope makes, models, options, and vocabulary. 

2000 Foot Solar System Walk - Reconnect on a Little Walk!
Presented by Jose Castro

Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone

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. ​

Climate Change - Our Human Support System 
​Presented by Terry Himes

Join presenter Terry Himes for a lively discussion on Climate Change. How do we know it’s real? What is the data we rely on? What are the spacecraft missions that provide us with that data? The program includes an excellent 13-minute film by Rory Kennedy, granddaughter of JFK. ​

Keynote Address - Dr. Jena Meinecke

Dr. Jena Meinecke is a plasma physicist who conducts experiments on the largest lasers in the world. Her work brings the night sky into the laboratory in an effort to better understand the origins of our universe. Turbulent dynamo? Collisionless plasma flows? If you’d like to learn about these things and how she’s unlocking the secrets to the origins of the universe, be sure to attend!

Kidz Zone 

• Scouting Starboard
​Learn how to navigate your way through the sky by learning about the constellations and the stories behind all the shapes in the sky. Build your own star chart so you can go back home and practice! Presented by NPS Ranger Catherine Blanch.

• Jr. Ranger Superstars!
Learn about the Stars including our own- the sun! Discuss the ways stars are formed and the various types of stars. Learn about the different ways plants, animals, and visitors depend on the stars, whether it's during the day or using constellations at night. Distribute Night Sky Jr. Ranger Books, and promote additional Night Sky festival programs. Presented by NPS Ranger Nathan Pattee.​

Life on Other Worlds Crystal Cave Tour
Presented by the Sequoia Parks Conservancy Field Institute Naturalists. 

Photo by Cade Castle

Have you ever wondered if there really is a possibility of life on other worlds? Caves, like Crystal Cave, are extreme environments where astrobiologists can study how organisms survive in the harshest environments. Get tickets at www.recreation.gov. 

Lifecycle of a Star
Presented by Stacey Newbold Bright

Twinkle, twinkle little star. How I wonder what you are. Wonder no more! Join this interactive session to answer all of your questions about stars. Learn about a star’s lifecycle from birth to death and how to identify different stages and types of stars.

Live Weather in the Park!
​Presented by Hanford National Weather Service (NOAA).

Visit the Hanford National Weather Service team for an inside look into the fascinating science behind weather and our planet. 

Meet the Artist, Jeremy Evans 
Presented by Jeremy Evans

Jeremy Evans is an award winning photographer and delegate for the International Dark Sky Association. His work aims to bring environmental awareness to others and inspire them to help preserve and protect our night skies from light pollution. Join the artist in a discussion of his work and mission.

NASA’s Journey to Mars
Presented by Terry Himes

photo by NASA/JPL-Caltech

What’s going on with the Mars probe, InSight? After landing on Mars on November 26, 2018, the probe has been busy placing various instruments on the surface to collect data. Come and learn all about the InSight mission in vivid detail and many other recent and future Mars missions. 

NPS Ranger Programs

Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone

​• Astronomy and Us! with NPS Ranger, Allen Flint
Astronomy has shaped and connected earthlings throughout history, from ancient Mesopotamia to today. Bring a flashlight and huddle around the campfire for many surprising stories about the impact that astronomy has on everyday life.

• Beginning Stargazing with NPS Ranger Deena Lukas
With its crystalline skies, Sequoia National Park is a great place to dive into the Milky Way and explore its reach across the night sky. Come learn how to observe the cosmos without a telescope. 

• Foothills Feature: The Sun - NPS Rangers
Our local star creates very hot days and cool, comfortable nights at this elevation. Learn how plants and animals survive such dramatic changes. Take ten minutes to learn about Earth's brightest star at Foothills Visitor Center.

• Insects of the Night! - NPS Ranger, Michael Raymonds
What’s that buzzing around in the dark, swooping down at your flashlight? Come and learn about all the insects that fly around at night that call Sequoia and Kings Canyon home. 

• Night Hike with the Giants - Ranger, Meredith Elgart
Walk among giants sequoia after dark. Learn about what they do at night and about all of the nocturnal creatures who are awake in the parks.

• Stars to the Artist - NPS Rangers, Deena Lukas and Susan Keller
Art helps us connect with people and places that are far away in space and time. Drop in to see a mural that changes from Moro Rock during the day to a glow-in-the-dark universe at night. Participate in activities that explore how humans use art to express unimaginably big ideas.

Our Cosmic Connections
Presented by Janet Wood

Since the dawn of civilization, humans have sought to understand their connection with the greater cosmos and have even tried to make correlations between celestial and terrestrial events. This presentation explores the roots of our human desire to discover our deep connection with the universe and relates how modern science has revealed how intimate that connection truly is.

​Saving the Dark
​Directed by Sriram Murali

​From the award-winning director of Lost in Light, Sriram Murali, comes his follow-up documentary, Saving The Dark. With breathtaking cinematography and new information, this film invites and excites each person to protect and enjoy the “other half of the day.”

See Our Sun: Reconnect with our Daytime Skies!
​Presented by Riverside Astronomical Society

​How often do we really get to see Earth’s own star, the Sun? It glows with enough energy to give us life, and has enough mass to keep us from spinning off into the cosmos. Join us for a rare opportunity to look at the Sun using safe, solar telescopes. 

Star Party
​Presented by Central Valley Astronomers

Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone

Telescopes will be set up at Big Stump parking lot in Grant Grove for guests to view astronomical objects. Astronomers will be on hand to show you deep-sky objects and answer your questions. ​

Star Party
​Presented by Kern Astronomical Society

Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone

​Telescopes will be set up at the Wuksachi Lodge back parking lot in Lodgepole for guests to view astronomical objects. Astronomers will be on hand to show you deep-sky objects and answer your questions.

Star Party
Presented by Sequoia Parks Conservancy Volunteers

Photo by Alison Taggart-Barone

​Telescopes will be set up at the Potwisha overflow parking lot in the Foothills for guests to view astronomical objects. Astronomers will be on hand to show you deep-sky objects and answer your questions. 

Voices United - Musical Performance

​Join Voices United for an entertaining performance of harmony and fun. Performed a cappella in four-part harmony, you will delight as they sing under the late-summer sky. 

Wonders of the Night Sky
Presented by Sequoia Parks Conservancy

Come spend an hour out in the remarkable darkness of Sequoia & Kings Canyon and enjoy some of the darkest skies in all of California! In this program you will learn backyard astronomy tips and tricks to navigate the night sky, hear cultural and scientific stories about the stars and planets, and learn the latest information about space exploration and discoveries.

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​Thank you to our 2019 sponsors.

Shooting Star Supporting Sponsor

Shooting Star Supporting Sponsors

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Photos by Cade Castle and Alison Taggart-Barone