Glacier National Park’s summer astronomy program begins July 11 with day and evening ranger-led activities held on the east and west side of the park. Using telescopes, visitors will be able to view deep space objects like galaxies, star clusters and planets. Volunteer astronomers will provide interpretive programs such as laser-guided constellation tours.
Evening telescope viewing will be available Wednesday through Sunday at the Apgar Transit Center and daily at the St. Mary Visitor Center from 10 p.m. to midnight, weather and sky visibility dependent. The St. Mary Visitor Center is currently screening the documentary “The City Dark” every Tuesday and Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. The film highlights the story of light pollution and disappearing night skies.
Solar-viewing opportunities will be available at the Apgar Village Green, 100 yards north of the Apgar Visitor Center, on Wednesday through Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Informal solar-viewing opportunities will also be available at the St. Mary and Logan Pass visitor centers, weather permitting. Visitors can safely view sun spots and coronal mass ejections through a hydrogen-alpha filtered telescope.
A joint effort between Waterton Lakes National Park in Canada and Glacier National Park is being initiated for designation of both parks as an International Dark Sky Park/Preserve.
For more information on the astronomy program, view the ranger-led activities schedule at http://home.nps.gov/applications/glac/inforequest/inforequest3.cfm or contact the park at 406-888-7800.