NIGHT SKY PROGRAMS

OUR SOLAR SYSTEM PROGRAM

Our Solar System Program is offered on a Friday each month which affords the best viewing of the moon’s surface using a telescope. Although the focus will be on the moon and its diverse qualities, other night sky objects will be identified and studied. A video presentation, “Tour of the Night Sky”, will be shown to help identify constellations, bright stars, and other objects of interest; to be followed by a lecture explaining the significance of the night sky to the Ancestral Puebloans. This special sky opportunity affords an exclusive view of heavenly bodies from a place where the Ancestral Puebloans lived, observed, and studied the celestial skies daily over 1,000 years ago.

STARS & GALAXIES PROGRAM

The Stars and Galaxies Program is offered on a select Friday each month when the earth is closest to the New Moon. When a “New Moon” occurs, the night sky is at its darkest, highlighting thousands of stars against the vast blackness of space – a unique experience here at Chimney Rock, isolated from the artificial lights of modern-day civilization. A video presentation, “Tour of the Night Sky”, will facilitate identification of constellations, bright stars, and other objects of interest; to be followed by a presentation explaining the significance of the night sky to the Ancestral Puebloans. This special sky opportunity affords an exclusive view of heavenly bodies from a place where the Ancestral Puebloans lived and observed and studied the celestial skies daily over 1,000 years ago. Telescopes will be utilized to observe several different sky objects in our Milky Way Galaxy, which looks to the naked eye like a dense low cloud.  In actuality, it is millions of light years away and contains billions of stars.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

At this altitude, nights begin to cool rapidly after sunset, so an appropriate jacket and other gear will enable you to remain comfortable. Also suggested are lawn chairs; a regular flashlight, a flashlight with a red lens (available for $4); and blankets, pillows, cushions. Note: The program will be adjusted according to current weather conditions and take place as scheduled.

TICKETS

Check-in is at the Highway 151 entrance gate at the time stated. Please adhere to the check-in timeline. The gate will be promptly locked at the end of that time. Tickets are $20.00 for ages 13 and up, $10.00 for ages 5-12, and under 5 are free. Making a reservation through the Recreation.gov website or the call center (877-444-6777) is the only way to guarantee a spot for this program. Recreation.gov charges a $1.00 reservation fee that is non-refundable. Reservations will be cut off 12 hours prior to the start of the program.  Walk-ins will be accommodated if space is available and will be accepted on a first come, first served basis, and must arrive during the specified check-in time frame. Those tickets can be purchased directly at the Gift Shop.  No refunds will be issued for no-shows.

OUR SOLAR SYSTEM DATES:

  • June 14: Check-in: 7:30-8:15 PM. Program: 8:30-10:30 PM
  • July 12: Check-in: 7:30-8:15 PM.  Program: 8:30-10:30 PM
  • August 9: Check-in: 7:00-7:45 PM.  Program: 8:00-10:00 PM
  • Sept 6: Check-in: 6:30-7:15 PM.  Program: 7:30-9:30 PM
  • October 4:  Check-in: 5:45-6:30 PM.  Program: 6:45-8:45 PM

STARS & GALAXIES DATES:

  • June 7:  Check-in: 7:30-8:15 PM.  Program: 8:30-10:30 PM
  • July 5: Check-in: 7:30-8:15 PM.  Program: 8:30-10:30 PM
  • August 2:  Check-in: 7:15-8:00 PM.  Program: 8:15-10:15 PM
  • August 30: Check-in: 6:30-7:15 PM.  Program: 7:30-9:30 PM
  • Sept 27: Check-in: 5:45-6:30 PM.  Program: 6:45-8:45 PM

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ARCHAEOASTRONOMY OF CHIMNEY ROCK CLICK HERE.

You can book our monthly programs online or by calling 1-877-444-6777.