Look Up! Sky & Stars Event For International Astronomy Day Coming Up On April 29th

 In celebration of this spring’s International Astronomy Day, Skye Canyon’s eighth annual Skye & Stars stargazing event with the Las Vegas Astronomical Society (LVAS) is set for Saturday, April 29, 2023, at Skye Canyon Park. 

Gates open at 6 p.m. for picnicking, music, lawn games, and food trucks with constellation viewing and celestial exploration beginning after dark from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. This is a free, family-friendly event. As part of the THRIVE@Skye event series, attendees will receive a special commemorative pin to add to their growing collection.

Donations for LVAS, a nonprofit organization of amateur astronomers formed to promote astronomy in Southern Nevada will be accepted during the event. For the purchase of a $5 raffle ticket, there will also be a drawing to win an AWB OneSkye Telescope with all proceeds going to LVAS.

Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and enjoy a picnic. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from local food trucks including Taco Ave, Alpha Dawg, Flattops Burgers and Shakes, Happy Ending Chocolate and Horsetrailer Hideout will be serving beer and spirits. 

Using telescopes, strategically arranged throughout the park, along with astrophotography, and video cameras, LVAS volunteers will use a high-powered laser that can point directly to celestial events as they guide attendees on a tour of the desert sky.

A favorite event for Skye Canyon residents, this year once again features an in-person, guided tour through the night sky led by Keith Caceres, president of the Las Vegas Astronomical Society. Caceres and his team will position high-power telescopes throughout the park aimed at specific and noteworthy stars and constellations and will use a powerful, high-tech laser pointer to further showcase and point out interesting elements in the night sky.

Some highlights of the sky tour will include: the moon, the planet Venus and prominent constellations and stars visible in the sky on that night, including Orion, Ursa Major (The Big Bear, containing The Big Dipper), Ursa Minor (The Little Bear, containing The North Star and Little Dipper.)

Las Vegas Astronomical Society is a nonprofit organization of amateur astronomers that was formed to promote astronomy in Southern Nevada for the sole purpose of educating and sharing their passion with those who have an interest in astronomy. They hold regular meetings, and observation gatherings; offer educational opportunities and services to schools and youth science programs, service agencies, and other organizations. For more information, visit www.lvastronomy.com. 

Photo Credit - Manouchehr Hejazi