Chimney Rock National Monument will host a Night Sky viewing program on Friday, August 18th. Telescopes will be on site.
Details are at chimneyrockco.org and tickets are at recreation.gov.

This program is timed for when the moon is not visible in the early night sky. That makes it so we can enjoy the darkest sky possible with the greatest number of stars visible ( from the Milky Way Galaxy) and then some deep sky objects that are beyond our galaxy that we can see with the telescopes.

There are three parts to our program starting with a live brief history of Chimney Rock, followed by a video presentation about the ancient people and explaining why astronomy was such an important part of their lives. The third part of the program is a recorded power point presentation that gives understanding of deep-sky objects such as binary stars, globular star clusters, open cluster, various nebulae, and other galaxies. The program includes basic astronomy that will prepare you for what we will be seeing through our telescopes. Everyone bring your questions, fold up chairs, a flashlight, blankets or pillows to the Hura Dura, or paved viewing and seating area. Visitors bringing their own telescope need to inform the Parking Attendant so you can be directed to the telescope area

For your comfort and the comfort of others, please feel free to move about during the program if needed. Remember that at this altitude the nights begin to cool rapidly after sunset, so an appropriate jacket or sweater will enable you to remain comfortable.

Guests must enter through the Hwy 151 entry gate during the check-in period stated below; the gate will be locked at the end of that time.