The Las Vegas Astronomical Society Brings Its “Stars” to Cedar Breaks

Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah. As darkness falls on Cedar Breaks
National Monument, a different kind of light illuminates the night sky.
That light, which comes from objects out in space transforms the night from
a place of darkness into a place of wonder.

Cedar Breaks National Monument has some of the darkest night skies in the
country. As Southwestern Utah grows and develops, “light pollution” in the
form of stray artificial light is a growing problem which masks the beauty
and intensity of a dark starlit sky. In the high elevation night skies of
Cedar Breaks, the stars shine nearly as bright as they did in the time
before the invention of the light bulb.

To celebrate and share the beauty of our dark night skies, Cedar Breaks is
hosting a special 2-night event during Labor Day weekend. Members of the
Las Vegas Astronomical Society (lvastronomy.com) will telescope our night
skies on Friday, August 29th and Saturday, August 30th beginning at 10 pm
on Point Supreme. These star party experts will illuminate your star
viewing and answer questions about your interests in stars, planets, and
how to help preserve skies in your neighborhood. Visitors who own their
own telescopes are invited to bring them along.

Dress warmly for the cool night air at this high elevation, and come
prepared to enjoy a late night of star gazing at Cedar Breaks! Cedar
Breaks National Monument is located 23 miles east of Cedar City, via
Highways 14 and 148. More information is available by contacting Robin
Hampton at 435-586-0787 ext. 41 or the Monument’s administrative office at
435-586-9451.

Updated events and activities, program offerings, and other park
information are also available for downloading at the Cedar Breaks National
Monument website: www.nps.gov/cebr .
-NPS-

• Wildflower Festival Cedar Breaks National Monument will host its first Wildflower Festival June 30-July 16. Visitors can participate in guided hikes focusing on the flowers and how to identify them. According to Steve Robinson, chief park ranger at Cedar Breaks National Monument, the wildflower display is expected to be especially beautiful this year.

• Plan Your Visit From early June to mid-October, the visitor center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Visitor facilities are CLOSED from mid-October through late May. For more information on Cedar Breaks National Monument click here.