The annual Grand Canyon Star Party is the stuff of legend. Usually taking place in June each year around the New Moon (which guarantees darker skies than usual), the stargazing event is beloved by all. This year, given global lockdown measures, the extravaganza will have to take place online.
Currently closed on both rims, the Grand Canyon National Park , in Arizona, is one of the most renowned across the country, with multiple viewpoints that afford extraordinary views of both mountains and open skies—an ideal environment for stargazers.
All throughout this week until June 20, the park will post two live videos on its official Facebook page each day. The first will feature a presentation by one of eight guest speakers and the second will be the actual virtual Star Party. Lasting between an hour and 90 minutes, the latter production will focus on "astronomers who will connect video cameras to their telescopes and pick out ten to twelve celestial objects over the course of an hour," according to the park's website.
The park has enlisted the help of experts to lead the first videos each day. As part of the speaker panel, expect a presentation by astro landscape photographer Shreenivasan Manievannan, who will likely give us a photography lesson; another one by Dean Regas, the co-host of Star Gazers and a renowned American astronomer and author; and, among others, Dr. Amber Straughn, an astrophysicist who will walk viewers through NASA's James Webb Space Telescope's use.
The presentations will go live at 6pm PDT daily, followed by the 7pm PDT Star Parties. Set up those reminders, folks.
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