Joshua Tree National Park • 5th Annual Night Sky Festival • September 21st, 2019

Pay special note as this year's festival is to be held in September compared to previous events held in November. The popularity of this event has grown due to the amazing coordinators and celebrates the Night Sky of Joshua Tree National Park, which was designated a Dark-Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association in 2017.

The festival itself will be on Saturday, September 21st and held at Luckie Park and Sky's the Limit Observatory and Nature Center in Twentynine Palms.

For more information about the Dark Sky Festival 2019 please visit Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts.

The Night Sky Festival is a FREE EVENT and open for all to enjoy. Additionally, some programs including the night Star Party are TICKET BASED. It is important to recognize that tickets are available ONLY by pre-purchase and no tickets will be available at the door. Purchase your Online Tickets starting June 1st, 2019 at 8:00am. Reserve your space early as some programs have limited space.

Joshua Tree Night Sky Festival
September 21st, 2019

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FREE EVENTS! FREE events at Luckie Park are held throughout Saturday. For those without tickets to the evening STAR PARTY held at Sky's the Limit Observatory, we encourage you to find a dark spot to look up and enjoy the stars. Bring a telescope, binoculars or the naked eye to experience the universe above. In an effort to preserve our Dark Sky please avoid the use of white lights, headlamps, and flashlights. Space Tourism Guide featured a great article on how to best achieve stargazing while visiting JTNP.

LUCKIE PARK
5585 Luckie Ave., Twentynine Palms 92277
All Ages ~ 1:00pm - 8:30pm

Space photo booth, youth crafts, non-profit booths, festival shirt sales, information about the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), and more.

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FREE ASTRONOMY PRESENTATION at Patriotic Hall
2:00 pm - 3:00pm
Ashley Pipkin: Night Skies and the National Park Service

"Ashley Pipkin is a National Park Service Biologist for the Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division. During Ashley’s lecture and presentation, you will learn about the amazing opportunities to view night skies throughout the National Park Service. Explore ways that the NPS is protecting these celestial views and how they benefit people and wildlife."

FREE ASTRONOMY PRESENTATION at Patriotic Hall
3:00 pm - 4:00pm
Keri Bean: The Exploration of Mars - Past, Present and Future

"KKeri Bean is a Systems Engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Take a look back at some of the exciting discoveries we’ve made at Mars, which missions are currently exploring the red planet, and which ones are to come during this special presentation by Keri."

FREE ASTRONOMY PRESENTATION at Patriotic Hall
4:00 pm - 5:00pm
Dean Regas: Tour of the Universe ~ You are Here

"Dean Regas is an Astronomer for the Cincinnati Observatory. During his presentation you can rocket through space and sail among billions of stars and galaxies. Utilizing some amazing simulation software Dean Regas guides you through the mind-boggling scale of the universe. Along the way you’ll stop at the Moon and individual planets. Then you’ll make the jump to light speed and head to interstellar space and see all the galaxies in the universe. Don’t worry, he’ll have you back home in time for dinner!"

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TICKETED EVENTS! In addition to the FREE events held at Luckie Park, Festival sponsors Joshua Tree National Park Council for the Arts, Sky's the Limit Observatory and Nature Center in partnership with Joshua Tree National Park, and support of the City of Twentynine Palms will host several TICKET based morning and evening programs.

NIGHT SKY PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP Tickets Required Class Limited
Sky's the Limit Nature and Observatory Friday, September 20th - 7:00pm - 10:00pm

Local resident Casey Kiernam will instruct attendees with techniques and tricks in astrophotography. All skill levels welcome but must be familar with your camera and have certain equipment requirements. Participants must be 12 years or older to attend.

Attendees are required to bring Camera, Tripod, and headlamp with red light. See workshop details and obtain your TICKETS.

MORNING PROGRAM Tickets Required
Sky's the Limit Observatory and Nature Center
9:00 am - 1:00 pm

A wonderful compliment for those not attending the workshop or arriving early for the day's events. See the Orrery, walk Nature & Wilderness Trails with naturalists, view the sun safely through the solar telescope and enjoy youth crafts.

EVENING STAR PARTY Tickets Required
Sky's the Limit Observatory and Nature Center
7:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Attend the Star Party complete with 20 telescopes and astronomers to help maximize your viewing experience. The Star Party will feature live music and include shuttle service between Luckie Park and Sky's the Limit Observatory. Limited VIP parking passes for STL campus are available with online purchase.

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ACCOMMODATIONS
Reserve your weekend getaway with JOSHUA TREE VACATION HOMES! Our comfortable vacation rentals are situated on acreage with privacy and stargazing in mind. Enjoy the backdrop of Joshua Tree National Park while staying at Desert Breeze Oasis, located near Indian Cove and not far from the heart of the Dark Sky Festival. Or ponder the skies while soaking in the wood-burning hot tub of Sunnyrock Acres tucked into the boulders just outside the west entrance of JTNP.

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Desert Breeze Oasis cottage under the stars - JoshuaTreeVacationHomes.com

JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
• Avoid Parking congestion by riding the Roadrunner Shuttle. It's FREE To Ride with FREE entry into the Park!

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