L ASSEN VOLCANICN A T I O N A L P A R K

D a r k S k y F e s t i v a l

LASSEN DARK SKY FESTIVAL 2019

Program ScheduleDate Program Location

Friday, August 2

9:30a -11:30a Jr. Ranger Astronomy** Check-in at Loomis day prior

10:00a - 11:00a The City Dark Film Showing KYVC

11:00a - 3:00p Solar Scope Viewing Bumpass Hell

12:00p - 3:00p Art & Science Faire Loomis Plaza

12:00p - 3:00p NASA Astrobiology Tent Sulphur Works

1:00p - 2:00p Saving the Dark Film Showing KYVC

2:00p - 3:00p Ask a NASA Astronomer Loomis

3:00p - 4:30p Planetary Geology Walk Devastated Area

3:30p - 4:30p Revealing the Invisible Universe Loomis

3:30p - 4:30p The Ingredients of Life – Clues from Meteorites KYVC

8:30p - 9:30p BATS! ML Amphitheater

8:30p - 9:30p Searching for Life on Exoplanets KYVC Amphitheater

9:30p - 11:00p Telescope Viewing ML Campground & Bumpass Hell*

Saturday, August 3

9:30a - 11:30a Jr. Ranger Astronomy** Check-in at Loomis day prior

10:00a - 11:00a Saving the Dark Film Showing Loomis

11:00a - 1:00p Solar Scope Viewing Bumpass Hell

12:00p - 3:00p Art & Science Faire Loomis Plaza

12:00p - 3:00p NASA Astrobiology Tent Sulphur Works

2:00p - 3:00p Photographing Lassen's Dark Sky Loomis Auditorium

2:00p - 3:00p Saving the Dark Film Showing KYVC

3:30p - 4:30p Lassen Microbes Teach us about Early Life on Earth KYVC

8:30p - 9:30p The Scientific Harvest of Project Apollo ML Amphitheater

8:30p - 9:30p Exploring for Habitable Environments and Life KYVC Amphitheater

9:30p - 11:00p Telescope Viewing ML Campground & Bumpass Hell*

Manzanita Lake (ML) | Loomis Museum (Loomis) | Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center (KYVC) | Bumpass Hell Parking Area (Bumpass Hell)

Night Sky Observation Tips• Dress warmly for nighttime events.• Do not use flashlights. Your eyes will

become accustomed to the darkness.• Food, beverages, and smoking are

prohibited around observation equipment.• Averting your vision to the side of an

object will often bring out more detail.• Tell the telescope operator if you don’t see

the object.

• Amateur astronomers are welcome to set up their own observation equipment at telescope viewing locations. Please check with staff on where to setup.

• Stargazing activities may be cancelled in the event of cloudy, stormy, or smoky weather. Check with park staff for more information.

*Parking will be extremely limited at Bumpass Hell parking area; we strongly suggest telescope viewing at the Manzanita Lake location as an alternative

Junior Ranger Night Explorer (ages 5-12)Earn a Night Explorer patch by completing activities in the Night Explorer workbook available at the KYVC or the Loomis Museum. Supplies are limited.

**Space limited. See event description for details on how to obtain a free ticket for this event.

L ASSEN VOLCANICN A T I O N A L P A R K

D a r k S k y F e s t i v a l

Lassen Volcanic National Park DARK SKY FESTIVAL 2019

Program DescriptionsArt and Science FaireEnjoy interactive exhibits where you can make space art, play with the sun, learn about preserving our dark sky, and meet people who study space for a living.

Ask a NASA AstronomerSachin Shenoy, NASAOur universe is filled with mystery. From dark matter to black holes, enjoy this opportunity to ask a NASA astronomer about anything that sparks your cosmic curiosity!

BATS!Dr. Joseph Szewczak, Humboldt State UniversityBats provide vital and economically valuable ecosystem services despite operating mostly unheard and unseen. This talk will explain some of their peculiar and fascinating natural history, and why it matters.

Exploring for Habitable Environments and Life: An UpdateDr. David DesMarais, NASA Ames Research CenterNASA’s spacecraft have revealed evidence of extensive volcanism, stream systems, and lakes. Spirit rover discovered ancient hot spring deposits. Curiosity rover is characterizing deposits from a long-lived lake. But pioneering exploration always includes unanticipated challenges and surprises. Learn more about these exciting discoveries and recent updates from Mars.

Junior Ranger Astronomy (space limited)Activities for 6 to 12 year oldsJunior Rangers will participate in fun activities that focus on the importance of preserving and protecting our dark sky for future generations. To ensure safety and quality of experience, space is limited. Tickets and information will be available the day prior to each Jr. Ranger Astronomy program. Interested children must be present at the Loomis Museum to receive a free ticket and program information.

Lassen Microbes Teach Us About Early Life on EarthMarisa Mayer, Stanford UniversityThe microbes growing in the hydrothermal features at Lassen serve as a window into the past in understanding the origin and early evolution of life on our young planet. Special purple microbes growing in the Sulphur Works area serve as a model for understanding the nature of these early life forms.

NASA Astrobiology NASA Ames Research Center ScientistsMeet with NASA scientists to find out more about astrobiology and space exploration. Exhibits include NASA handouts, model Mars rover, Mars globe, microscope, geological samples, and biology and chemistry demonstrations.

Photographing Lassen's Dark SkyShreeni Manievannan, professional photographerLearn how to capture stunning images of Lassen's night sky from an award winning photographer. We recommend bringing a tripod and camera with manual settings to capture long exposure at fast apertures and high ISOs.

Planetary Geology WalkDave Schlom, host of the NSPR Podcast Blue DotTake a planetary geology field trip through the Devastated Area with expert guide Dave Schlom. Relive the eruptions of 1915 by examining the evidence in the landscape while gaining an understanding of how volcanic processes shape moons and planets throughout the solar system and likely beyond!

Revealing the Invisible UniverseSuzy Gurton, Assistant Director of the National Radio Astronomy ObservatoryEnjoy a thrilling program on the incredible universe our human eyes cannot perceive. You'll learn about a completely different kind of night sky—one that is filled with black holes, exploding stars, and sinuous magnetic fields.

Saving the Dark Film ScreeningWhat do we lose when we flood our night skies with light? Find out in this film featuring Lassen Volcanic.

Searching for Life on ExoplanetsDr. Niki Parenteau, NASA Ames Research CenterResearchers estimate that each of the roughly 100 billion stars in our Milky Way galaxy should have at least one exoplanet. What would life look like on planets orbiting around stars different than our Sun? Discover how studying life in hydrothermal areas at Lassen can help inform our search for life elsewhere.

Solar Scope ViewingCome and safely marvel at our closest star through a solar scope and learn some surprising and interesting facts about the center of our solar system.

Telescope Viewing Lassen’s dark night sky is a treasure and the reason for our festival! Stop by for laser-guided tours of the constellations along with telescopes pointed at planets, star clusters, dying stars, and distant galaxies. Telescope viewing takes place in the Bumpass Hell parking area and next to the Manzanita Lake Campground D-loop.

The City Dark Film ScreeningFilmmaker Ian Cheney asks a simple question, do we need the stars? This critically acclaimed film features stunning astrophotography and a cast of eclectic scientists. The City Dark is the definitive story of light pollution and the disappearing stars.

The Ingredients of Life—Clues from MeteoritesDr. Andro Rios, Blue Marble Space Institute of ScienceEarth is the only place we know where life exists. Understanding how life emerged is important to our search for life beyond this planet. What are the ingredients of life and are they unique to Earth? Learn why meteorites help us with these questions and provide evidence that the building blocks of life appear to be common in our Solar System.

The Scientific Harvest of Project ApolloDave Schlom, host of the NSPR Podcast Blue DotNationally respected Apollo historian Dave Schlom delves into the scientific experiment packages that the astronauts took to the moon; the geologic explorations; and most im-portantly, the lessons learned from the 842 pounds of rocks and soil collected by the 12 moon walkers from 1969-1972.

Thank you for your support. We appreciate your interest in protecting dark night skies and hope that you continue to experience the wonder of a starry night with friends and family. Donations received during the festival will benefit future park astronomy events.