Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Star gazing in Yosemite...

Hi I will be staying in Yosemite Park on 18th and 19th of October and am interested in the star gazing evening that I have heard about. I have been unable to find out though if this is available when I am there, can anyone help please?

Star gazing in Yosemite...

You probably know that on those nights there will be virtually no moon so ideal for stargazing. The ultimate place is Glacier Point as being so high and with 360 degree view but that is a drive on winding dark mountain roads which may not appeal to you. In summer they have astronomy events but probably not that late in the season.

You could try driving to the west of the Valley and taking 41 near the Bridleveil Falls Parking lot up to the tunnel below Inspiratioin Point just amile or two up the road. From there you get the classic view of the park looking east to Half Dome and the high country so a good bit of the sky is visible.

Look online and see if you can find a star chart for North America as constellations will be different from what you see in the UK.

When you first arrive, you will probably go to the Visitors Center in the village and that would be the place to inquire if there is any program set up. I did look in the archived version of the park newspaer Yosemite Today on the official Yosemite NPS web site, but found no such program in October. Most special programs end late September when many of the seasonal staff and volunteers leave the park. Due to severe budget cuts throughout the system there are far fewer naturalist programs these days.

Star gazing in Yosemite...

We took part in such program back in June. The name of the program is ';Starry Skies Over Yosemite';. They rotate the location, our one was in the Valley but some weeks it might be in Wawona or Glacier.

When you%26#39;re a week away from your trip go to the NPS website and download a copy of Yosemite Today. Take a look at the weekly schedule and if the have a program, you%26#39;ll find it there.

Jack_J

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