It gets dark at night in the badlands of South Dakota. And that's why you should consider attending the 2019 Badlands Astronomy Festival at Badlands National Park early in July. 

The park has partnered with the NASA South Dakota Space Grant Consortium to co-sponsor the 8th edition of this festival, set for July 5th-7th. The festival brings together space science professionals, amateur astronomers, educators, and visitors for a three-day celebration.

Novices and experts alike will enjoy the spectacular dark night skies of Badlands National Park at public star parties each evening. During the day, a variety of family-friendly events will provide opportunities for visitors to learn about the night sky, the sun, and space exploration. Telescopes will be provided by astronomers from the Black Hills Astronomical Society, Badlands National Park, and Dark Ranger Telescope Tours for day and night observations. 

The schedule of events includes special guest speakers, public stargazing activities, solar observing opportunities, planetarium shows, static displays, as well as equipment demonstrations by professional and amateur astronomers. Badlands Natural History Association will offer night sky-themed merchandise, which will be for sale in the bookstore at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.

This free event is made possible through funding and support from the Badlands Natural History Association, NASA South Dakota Space Grant Consortium, Dark Ranger Telescope Tours, town of Interior, Black Hills Astronomical Society, Black Hills Raptor Center, The Journey Museum and Learning Center, University of Utah, Cedar Pass Lodge, and Badlands National Park.

Schedule of Events

Planetarium Shows

Saturday, July 6; and Sunday, July 7

9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Interior School Gym, 2 miles south of the Ben Reifel Visitor Center

The Journey Museum and Learning Center from Rapid City will present planetarium shows using their portable planetarium.

Sun Fun Solar Observing

Friday, July 5; Saturday, July 6; and Sunday, July 7

3 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center

View solar flares and sunspots through special solar telescopes, 100% safe for eyes. Various other sun-based activities will also be offered during this particular event.

Guest Speakers/Evening Programs/Public Stargazing

Friday, July 5; Saturday, July 6; and Sunday, July 7

10 a.m. (Sat) and 9 p.m. - 11:30 p.m. (Fri, Sat, Sun) at the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater

Nightly evening presentations will be provided by invited guest speakers, followed by hands-on experience with multiple state-of-the-art telescopes and amateur astronomers providing constellation tours while guiding visitors around the universe. View planets, star clusters, nebulae, and double stars while going down the “scope line.”

9 p.m. Friday night guest speaker: “Dark Ranger” Kevin Poe, Dark Ranger Telescope Tours

10 a.m. Saturday day guest speaker: Black Hills Raptor Center

9 p.m. Saturday night guest speaker: Tom Durkin, NASA SD Space Grant Consortium

9 p.m. Sunday night guest speaker: Paul Ricketts, University of Utah

To prepare for the festival, listen to Kevin Poe, the Dark Ranger, discuss night skies over the National Park System on this National Parks Traveler podcast.