astronomy in the canyon
My husband and I were camping with our three children at the Grand Canyon National Park. We happened to be there on the one night a year when the Arizona Amateur Astronomers Club was out with all their telescopes. There must have been fifteen or twenty huge telescopes set up, and we wandered from one telescope to another, viewing all the wonders of the universe, beautifully visible in the clear night sky. I remember it was very cold and windy. There were only about forty or so people mingling around, enjoying the evening. It was simply remarkable to have chanced upon this yearly astronomy offering in the Canyon. My children will never forget it. It added a whole other dimension to the wonders of the Grand Canyon.
Hiking & Camping | 1980-2000
Submitted 9/30/2009, HoustonPBS - KUHT
September 30, 2009
Doug Karsen, Grnad Rapids, Michigan
We had a similar experience in Yosemite. We were camping up on the south rim and had visited Glacier Point that afternoon where we found out that a group of astronomers from the coast would be there that evening. We returned after sunset to find they had set up their telescopes and were treating anyone a look. We were able to see the Horse Head nebula and the rings of Saturn. The utter darkness of Glacier Point and the host of star was awe inspiring.