Stargazing July 7-10 at Bryce Canyon fest

BRYCE CANYON, Garfield County — The 10th annual Bryce Canyon Astronomy Festival is July 7-10 and features Tyler Nordgren as the keynote speaker.

Sponsored by the Salt Lake Astronomical Society, the event includes waived entrance fees to the park for all noncommercial vehicles operated by a driver with a valid Utah driver's license.

Nordgren, an associate professor of physics at the University of Redlands in California, wrote "Stars Above Earth Below," which is a guide to astronomy in national parks.

He will give a speech on that topic from 8:30 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., July 7, at Ebenezer's Bar and Grill, in Bryce Canyon City. Tickets are $2 per person or $5 per family. Afterward, a star gazing party will be held outside the grill with observation equipment provided by the society and the park's "Dark Rangers."

"Astronomy is fast becoming a big part of Bryce Canyon's international appeal," says the park's acting superintendent Kathleen Gonder, "People come from all over the world to see our stars and yet many Utahans have yet to experience the beauty of our night sky."

Free shuttle transportation to a variety of venues in the park will be provided during the festival.

More information can be found online, at www.nps.gov/brca/planyourvisit/astrofest.htm.

— Amy Joi O'Donoghue