2024 DARK SKY EVENTS

The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve is excited to share a broad range of programs throughout the Reserve this summer

In addition to the programs listed, you will also find us at various community events throughout the summer. Look for the Dark Sky booth at the Hailey Farmers Markets on July 27 & August 10. On July 18, 22 & 23 Lauren Osburn, the 2024 Astronomer in Residence will be at the Bloom Truck to share Astro-Activities with kids.

These programs are supported through NASA’s Science Activation Program which promotes STEM engagement efforts. Boise State University Physics Department is the lead for the program in Idaho and works closely with the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve to bring science to classrooms, libraries, and communities.

NOTE: Click event title for details. Events with **Reg require pre-registration

July 5 & 6  9:30 PM – Stanley Star Party – Stanley Pioneer Park

July 6  5:00 PM – How Dark Is The Night Sky?  – Stanley Library

July 7  10:00 PM – Stargazing Float on the Lake – Redfish Lake Lodge (**full)

July 7  9:30 PM – Stargazing – Sawtooth NRA – North Fork Visitor Center

July 8  5:00 PM – How Dark Is The Night Sky?  – Community Library (**Reg)

July 17  10:00 PM – Stargazing – Sawtooth NRA – North Fork Visitor Center

July 24  5:30 PM – Dark Sky Paint & Sip – Stanley Library (**Reg)

August 1  9:30 PM – Stargazing Night – Stanley Library

Aug 3  10:00 PM – Stargazing Float on the Lake – Redfish Lake Lodge (**Reg)

Aug 4  9:30 PM – Stargazing – Sawtooth NRA – North Fork Visitor Center

Aug 6  2:00 PM – Kids Astro-Activities – Community Library (**Reg)

Aug 6 5:30 PM – Search for Extraterrestrial Life -Community Library (**Reg)

Aug 7  5:00 PM – Space Telescope Imagery – Stanley Library

Aug 10  9:30 PM – Perseid-Palooza – Hailey Library & The Sage School

Aug 24 10:00 AM – Sawtooth Salmon Festival – Stanley Museum

The night sky throughout the Reserve is pretty amazing any night of the year. It’s mostly a DIY adventure so you can just go outside and look up.

For a do-it-yourself tour, Highway 75 offers a beautiful drive through the heart of the Reserve from Stanley to Ketchum. Highway 21 provides access through the northwest corner of the Reserve from Boise to Stanley. If you plan to drive through the Reserve at night, be alert for wildlife (deer, elk, pronghorn, etc) which tend to be more active after dusk along or crossing the highway.

The year ahead offers many celestial delights for sky-watchers, including new moons, meteor showers and great views of several planets. The Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve offers exceptional views of these upcoming night sky events.

Celestial Events for 2022

New Moons – The night sky is darkest on new Moon nights which makes for great stargazing.

January 2, January 31/February 1,  March 2, April 1 and 30, May 30, June 28, July 28, August 27, September 25, October 25, November 23, December 23

Other night sky events:

January 3-4 – Quadrantids Meteor Shower. This meteor shower can produce up to 40 meteors per hour in a good year. The meteors radiate from the Bootes constellation but can be seen anywhere in the sky

March 20 – Spring/Vernal Equinox.  On the day of the equinox the Sun is directly above the equator, resulting in nearly equal amounts of day and night.

April 21-23 – Lyrids Meteor Shower. Trailing dust particles from the comet C/1861 G1 Thatcher produce the Lyrids with up to 20 meteors per hour. Meteors in this shower are associated with the constellation Lyra.

May 4-7 — Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower. The Eta Aquarids is capable of producing up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. Most of the activity is seen in the Southern Hemisphere but some meteors may be visible in the Northern Hemisphere.  It is produced by dust particles left behind by comet Halley, which has known and observed since ancient times.

May 15-16 – Total Lunar Eclipse.  Total lunar eclipses occur when the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow or umbra. The Moon gets gradually darker and takes on a dark orange or red color. A total lunar eclipse is sometimes called a blood moon due to this reddish color.

June 21 — Summer Solstice. The summer solstice occurs when the North Pole of the Earth is tilted toward the Sun. On this day we have the longest period of daylight and the Sun is in its northernmost position in the sky.

July 28-29 — Delta Aquarids Meteor Shower. The Delta Aquarids is an average shower that can produce up to 20 meteors per hour at its peak.

August 11-13 — Perseids Meteor Shower. A favorite meteor shower to observe, the Perseids can produce up to 60 meteors per hour at its peak. It is a result of the comet Swift-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1862. Meteors radiate from the constellation Perseus but typically streak across all areas of the night sky.

September 22 — September/Autumnal Equinox. On the day of the equinox the Sun is directly above the equator, resulting in nearly equal amounts of day and night.

October 7-8 — Draconids Meteor Shower. The Draconids is a minor meteor shower producing only about 10 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet 21P Giacobini-Zinner.  The best viewing is in the early evening instead of early morning like most other showers.

October 20-22 — Orionids Meteor Shower. The Orionids is an average shower producing up to 20 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Halley, which has been known and observed since ancient times.

Nov 7-8 – Total Lunar Eclipse.  Total lunar eclipses occur when the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow or umbra. The Moon gets gradually darker and takes on a dark orange or red color. A total lunar eclipse is sometimes called a blood moon due to this reddish color.

November 17-18 — Leonids Meteor Shower. The Leonids can produce up to 15 meteors per hour.  The meteor shower is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tempel-Tuttle, which was discovered in 1865.

December 13-14 — Geminids Meteor Shower. The Geminids is the king of the meteor showers, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon.

December 21 — Winter Solstice. The winter solstice occurs when the South Pole of the Earth is tilted toward the Sun. On this day we have the shortest period of daylight in the Northern Hemisphere and the Sun is in its southernmost position in the sky.

December 21-22 – Ursids Meteor Shower. The Ursids is a minor meteor shower producing about 5-10 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tuttle, which was first discovered in 1790.

These selected events are from the Astronomy Calendars on the Space.com and Sea and Sky websites which have much more detailed information about these and other night sky happenings.

Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association (SIHA), Stanley

The Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association (SIHA) is a member-based organization that was established as a cooperating association in 1972 when the Sawtooth National Recreation Area was established by Congress. It operates in cooperation with the Sawtooth and Salmon-Challis National Forests.

https://discoversawtooth.org

Sawtooth Botanical Garden, Wood River Valley

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is a community resource showcasing native and cultivated plants that flourish at high altitude. The Garden connects people to the region’s unique beauty and fosters environmental stewardship through education, events, displays and plant collections.

www.sbgarden.org

Environmental Resource Center, Ketchum

The Environmental Resource Center (ERC) was founded in 1993 by a group of volunteer environmentalists dedicated to the health and vitality of the Wood River Valley (Blaine County).

Today, we are a small – but mighty – nonprofit working to tackle large issues on a local scale. Our environmental education programs reach people of all ages and provide individuals with opportunities to gain the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to become stewards and leaders. Our community initiatives work to reduce waste and toxins, which ensure healthy soils and water, while galvanizing the community to protect our natural resources.

www.ercsv.org

Hailey Public Library, Hailey

The Hailey Public Library strives to connect citizens of all ages with current, high-interest materials and information. We provide personnel, programs and technologies that encourage lifelong learning, discovery and enrichment.

www.haileypubliclibrary.org

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve and International Dark Sky Park

https://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm

Bruneau Sand Dunes State Park Observatory

https://parksandrecreation.idaho.gov/parks/bruneau-dunes

Herrett Center – College of Southern Idaho Centennial Observatory and Faulkner Planetarium

http://herrett.csi.edu/astronomy/observatory/index.asp

Local Astronomy Clubs and Societies

Boise Astronomical Society    
www.boiseastro.org

Idaho Falls Astronomical Society
www.ifastro.org

Magic Valley Astronomical Society  
http://mvastro.org/

2019

June 14 — Craters of the Moon (Arco), Full Moon Hike: Experience Craters of the Moon beneath the full moon! Bring a flashlight, hiking shoes, water, and your curiosity about our lunar connections.Reservations are required and walks will be limited to 25 people. Contact the park at 208-527-1335 or crmo_information@nps.gov to make a reservation.

June 21 — Ketchum Town Square (Ketchum), 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, Summer Solstice Soiree: Join us for a Dark Sky Celebration!

June 28-29 — Craters of the Moon (Arco), 9:30 pm, Star Party: Join experts from the Idaho Falls Astronomical Society and our very own “Astro-Ranger” to experience the universe at this International Dark Sky Park. Opportunities for solar viewing will be available at the visitor center both days. At 9:30 p.m. each evening there will be a presentation about the night sky at the campground amphitheater. Then head to the Caves Area parking lot for telescope viewing of the skies above. Call 208-527-1335 for more information.

July 20 — Craters of the Moon (Arco), Craters of the Moon staff and partner organizations will host a special event celebrating the 50th anniversary of astronauts walking on the “Moon” (on the lunar surface and right here in Idaho!). Special activities will include presentations by astronaut John Phillips, youth activities, and opportunities to view the lunar surface through a telescope. MOONFEST events will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Robert Limbert Visitor Center and from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Lava Flow Campground Amphitheater

August 23 —Stanley Museum (Stanley), 5 pm – 6 pm, Forum and LectureSeries: Astronomy Before Galileo with Brian Jackson

2018

May 22 — Sawtooth Botanical Garden, Astronomy in the Garden — Shoot the night sky with your camera or cell phone
www.sbgarden.org

June 15 – 16 — Stanley Pioneer Park, Dark Sky Celebration and Star Party, Stanley-Sawtooth Chamber of Commerce www.stanleycc.org

July 6 — Stanley Museum, 5 pm: The Scorpion, the Archer and the Swan: Stars of the Summer Milky Way with Tim Frazier, Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association (SIHA)
www.discoversawtooth.org

July 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28 & 29 — Craters of the Moon:  9:30 pm – 11 pm: Astronomy Programs: Join us at the Visitor Center for a short presentation followed by viewing opportunities through the park’s telescope. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on, dress warmly, bring a flashlight to get back to camp but please use red lights only once in the viewing area. https://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm

July 19 – 20  —  Arco & Craters of the Moon: American Solar Challenge – Come cheer on university teams as they drive their solar powered vehicles across the nation. These teams will stop in Arco on July 19 and then start from Craters of the Moon on July 20. The event in Arco will take place at Butte High School from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Besides viewing the cars, there will also be opportunities to learn more about scientific research with displays about space science, dark skies, and the Oregon Trail. On July 20, the cars will start from the Devil’s Orchard trailhead at Craters of the Moon beginning at 9:00 a.m. https://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm

July 27 — Stanley Museum, 5 pm: Dark Sky Photography with Nils Ribi, Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association www.discoversawtooth.org

July 27 — Craters of the Moon, 9 pm – 11 pm: Full Moon Hike: Explore this unearthly landscape under a full moon. Cooler temperatures make this moderate, 1-mile evening hike pleasant. Wear sturdy shoes, and bring snacks, water, and a light jacket. Reservations are required; please call 208-527-1335 or contact us by email:
crmo_information@nps.gov 

July 28 — Stanley Library: Science of Planetary Exploration and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life, 6:00 PM- Join Dr. Brian Jackson, Professor of Physics/Astronomy, Boise State University for a one hour lecture followed by two hours of general stargazing with a telescope at the Stanley Ranger Station parking lot.

August 3 – 4— Craters of the Moon: Star Party – Join experts from the Idaho Falls Astronomical Society and experience the universe under our naturally dark skies. Telescopes will be set up in the Caves Area parking lot for viewing the stars and planets. Dress warmly and bring flashlights. Red lights preferred for optimal dark sky viewing. https://www.nps.gov/crmo/index.htm

August 4 – 5 — Coyote Yurt (Smoky Mountains near Ketchum) – Overnight Trek into the Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve: Sun Valley Trekking and the Idaho Conservation League are teaming up to bring you the Milky Way. Join us to experience the night sky like nowhere else. You don’t want to miss one of the most unique backcountry mountain star gazing adventures on the planet! Call Sun Valley Trekking at 208.788.1966 to reserve your spot.  www.idahoconservation.org

August 10 — Stanley City Park, Perseid Meteor Shower, stargazing, and discussion of Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve,  join Dr. Matt Benjamin, freelance astronomer, for a free evening of stargazing, 9:30PM – 11:00PM

August 12 — Sawtooth Botanical Garden, Astronomy in the Garden – Family night at Croy Canyon
www.sbgarden.org

August 31 — Stanley Museum, 5 pm, Songbirds and the Stars with Heidi Ware, Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association
www.discoversawtooth.org