Utah Master Naturalist| Dark Sky Observations
Goblin Valley State Park | Green River, Utah
This Dark Sky Observations field course is a partnership with Goblin Valley State Park. The field course begins on Saturday, October 10th, and runs through Monday, October 12th; from 10:00 am to 11:30 pm on Saturday, 1:00 pm to 11:30 pm on Sunday, and 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Monday. Each day has scheduled breaks for meals and rest.
This field course is based at Goblin Valley State Park near Green River, Utah. Students will have access to the Dark Sky Observations online class 8 weeks before the start of the field course.
Completion of the 16-hour online class is REQUIRED before attending the field course.
DESCRIPTION |
How many constellations can you find in the night sky?
Is that bright point a star, a planet, or a galaxy?
What is light pollution?
Answer these questions and more with Goblin Valley State Park and Utah Master Naturalist in our Dark Sky Observations course.
- In this course, you will explore the solar system: planets, stars, constellations, nebulae, black holes, and more.
- You'll learn how to operate a telescope and experiment with other tools for interpreting the night sky.
Utah has some of the best dark skies in the country, yet darkness is often overlooked as an important component in all of Utah's ecosystems.
If you only know Utah by daylight, you're missing half the story.
- In this course, you will get acquainted with some of the organisms that depend on high-quality darkness.
- You'll learn how to support Utah's dark skies with simple adaptations to the lights you use at night.
- You will explore cultural connections to the nighttime sky and how we humans, both past and present, benefit from consorting with the stars.
Dark Sky Observations was created to meet the growing demand for trained staff and volunteers to provide dark sky programming for astrotourism. The course is the result of years of work by several cooperating agencies, including Cedar Breaks National Monument (which developed the Master Astronomer Program), Utah State Parks, and Utah Master Naturalist.
Good to know
Highlights
- 2 days 5 hours
- ages 18+
- In person
- Free parking
- Doors at 9:45 AM
Refund Policy
Location
Goblin Valley State Park
18630 Goblin Valley Road
Green River, UT 84525
How do you want to get there?
Agenda
Topics
1. Astronomical Traditions of Various Cultures 2. Accessible Materials and Resources for People Who Are Blind or Low Vision or Who Learn Through Touch and/or Movement 3. Basic Knowledge of Where to Find Celestial Objects in the Night Sky 4. Hands-On Telescope and Star Gazing-by-Eye Skill-Building 5. Activities to Engage Program Participants While Waiting for True Dark 6. How to Help Steward and Restore Naturally Dark Night Skies 7. Night Sky Photography Tips and Best Practices
Location Information
We will be splitting our time between Goblin Valley State Park and the town of Green River. Indoor/classroom sessions will be held at Town Hall in Green River, and the dark sky viewing will be at Goblin Valley.