Taking advantage of southern Utah's clear, dark skies, Bryce Canyon National Park wants to build a $2 million public astronomical observatory.

It would be only the second observatory for the National Park Service — and a much grander type than the small facility at Chaco Canyon National Historical Park.

The idea, according to Chad Moore, program manager for the Park Service's Night Sky Team, is that the stunning views of the Milky Way and other wonders are part of Bryce's scenery.

"Parks protect scenery, and that's one of the things that's in our mandate," he said. Parks have set up overlooks to display terrestrial scenery like the haunting spires of hoodoo formations at Bryce; in the same spirit, he believes, the stunning night scenery at Bryce also should get attention.

Bryce personnel recently submitted a proposal to the Denver regional office to build the observatory. The regional office "then sent it on to Washington," said Angie Richman, astronomy volunteer coordinator at the park.

Under the plan, federal money would cover half the approximately $2 million cost, with private donations footing the rest of the bill. The park has not yet decided on a site and needs to study potential environmental issues.

The observatory would have a roll-off roof housing two or three telescopes, an imaging room that would be combined with a classroom, a deck for observing the sun with a telescope equipped with special filters, an "architectural sundial" and an amphitheater where as many as 500 people could experience lectures.

In addition, a separate facility with a dome would mount a small robotic imaging telescope. From 20 to 30 telescope pads would be established, with power supplies, where amateurs or school groups could set up their own 'scopes.

According to Moore, supporters hope the observatory would win preliminary approval from the Park Service by the end of this year.

Bryce is a good place for astronomy because its high altitude and its distance from the light pollution of large cities mean the sky is darker than most sites.

Since the late 1960s, the park near Rubys Inn, Garfield County, has hosted star parties and lectures for visitors; from late April to mid-October, two or three star parties are held every week, weather allowing. Its distance from large cities greatly reduces light pollution, though the park has generated some of its own.

The annual Astrofest gathering draws hundreds of visitors to use telescopes belonging to the park itself and to volunteers who help with the multiday festival. The event usually is held during June's new moon when no moon-glare interferes with subtler astronomical beauties.