Heading to Rocky Mountain National Park later this month? Watch for the free star-gazing programs/Jake Frank via NPS

Night sky star-gazing programs are spreading across the National Park System, and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is not about to be left behind. Later this month the park will feature a series of family-friendly night sky programs.

Seeing the Milky Way or a particular constellation can be inspirational for park visitors. In Rocky Mountain National Park, as in other parks, natural darkness of starry skies is an important resource of this special place.

Another important feature of national parks is natural sounds. In 1998, the Estes Valley League of Women Voters organized a campaign to ban commercial overflights in Rocky Mountain National Park. This legislative bill was passed by Congress.

On July 16, 17, and 18, there will be special night sky programs. This Night Sky Festival is part of the parks' Centennial events, and the first time this festival has been held in Rocky.

On July 18, there will be special activities to commemorate World Listening Day and the importance of natural sounds.

Night Sky Festival July 16, 17 and 18 –Family Night Sky Activities

* Moraine Park Discovery Center—11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Activities will include solar observing, special booths and activities, and earning a Night Sky Junior Ranger book and patch.

Thursday, July 16

* Beaver Meadows Visitor Center—7:30 p.m.

Protecting Night Sky Resources in National Parks and Beyond

Jeremy White has been collecting night sky measurements in national parks across the country. Join him as he discusses the ongoing research of the National Park Service Natural Sounds and Night Sky Division.

Upper Beaver Meadows—9 p.m.

Wonders of the Night Sky

Observe the night sky and visible constellations with the help of a park ranger and expert volunteer astronomers. Bring warm clothes, binoculars, and a flashlight.

Moraine Park Campground—9 p.m.

Night Sky Photography

Stan Honda, a photographer and former Artist-in-Residence in Rocky Mountain National Park, will share his continuing project involving night sky landscapes.

Glacier Basin Campground—9 p.m.

James Webb Space Telescope

Learn how astronomers will get a whole new view of the cosmos with NASA's next flagship mission, The James Webb Telescope.

Friday, July 17

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center—7:30 p.m.

New Horizons

Come see the first clear images of Pluto, courtesy of Ball Aerospaces's Ralph camera.

Upper Beaver Meadows—8:15 p.m.

Astronomy in the Park

Observe the night sky with the help of a park ranger and expert volunteer astronomers. Bring warm clothes, binoculars, and a flashlight.

Harbison Meadow Parking Area—9 p.m.

Celestial Wilderness

Use a telescope and join a ranger to explore the astronomy of Rocky's night sky.

Moraine Park Campground—9 p.m.

The Moon: A New Perspective

Join park staff for a brief history of the Moon and its formation, with images of the lunar surface from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Spacecraft currently orbiting the moon.

Glacier Basin Campground—9 p.m.

Night Sky Photography Workshop

Stan Honda, a night sky photographer will give a hands-on workshop on how to take great pictures of night skies with an ordinary camera.

Saturday, July 18

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center—7:30 p.m.

James Webb Space Telescope

Dr. Joel Green of the Space Telescope Institute will discuss the formation of protoplanets and their transformation into exoplanets as well as the upcoming mission of the James Webb Space Telescope.

Upper Beaver Meadows—8:15 p.m.

Astronomy in the Park

Observe the night sky with the help of a park ranger and expert volunteer astronomers. Bring warm clothes, binoculars, and a flashlight.

Moraine Park Campground—9 p.m.

The Aurora: More Than Pretty Lights in the Sky

Dr. Frank Eparvier of the University of Colorado at Boulder Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics will discuss the impact that space weather has on human life.

Glacier Basin Campground—9 p.m.

The Moon: A New Perspective

Join the park staff for a brief history of the Moon and its formation, with images of the lunar surface from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Spacecraft currently orbiting the moon.

Saturday, July 18 – Celebrate World Listening Day

The Sounds Of Silence -- A Celebration Of The Ban On Commercial Air Tours Over Rocky

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center Plaza and Auditorium –10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

World Listening Day celebrates natural sounds all over the world. From 10 a.m.-4 p.m. come join in on fun activities to discover the beauty of natural sound. There will be crafts, interactive games, and a natural sound scavenger hunt. At 1 p.m., hear the story of how, in 1998, the Estes Valley League of Women Voters organized a letter-writing and phone call campaign to garner support from Congress to ban commercial overflights over Rocky Mountain National Park and "Banned the Buzz!"

Programs are free and open to the public.