Skye Canyon Hosts Skye & Stars: Stargazing with the Las Vegas Astronomical Society at Skye Canyon Park May 11, 2019
Skye Canyon’s fourth annual Skye & Stars stargazing event at Skye Canyon Park (10111 W. Skye Canyon Park Drive) with Las Vegas Astronomical Society (LVAS) is Saturday, May 11, 2019. Falling on National Astronomy Day, this year’s event includes daytime viewing of planets and constellations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
At 7 p.m., gates open for picnicking, music, lawn games and food trucks with viewing after dark from 8 to 10 p.m. This is a free, family-friendly event. Donations for LVAS, a nonprofit organization of amateur astronomers formed to promote astronomy in Southern Nevada will be accepted during the event.
LVAS volunteers will guide attendees on a tour of the desert sky using telescopes, an astrophotography and video cameras that transmit real-time images on a monitor, and a high-powered laser that can point directly to celestial events.
Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic and blankets or lawn chairs. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from local food trucks and Skye Bistro inside Skye Center. For kids interested in an indoor star show, “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” will be screened on the Skye Center patio. Attendees can enter a raffle to win a Skye Canyon prize pack that includes items like a North Face jacket, a Kleen Kanteen, and more; a grand prize winner will receive an AWB OneSkye telescope.
“The unobstructed views from Skye Canyon Park make it an ideal location for stargazing this time of year,” said Greg McKay, LVAS media relations coordinator. “Stargazers of all ages will see Mars, the Beehive galactic cluster in the constellation Cancer, along with other constellations.”
LVAS 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, observation gatherings; offer educational opportunities and services to schools and youth science programs, service agencies, and other organizations.
“Skye & Stars is Skye Canyon’s most popular event,” said Desiree Van Leer, marketing manager of Olympia Companies, developer of Skye Canyon. “Partnering with Las Vegas Astronomy Society to give attendees a fun, memorable, and educational evening is something we aim for in every event we organize.”
For more information about Skye Canyon, visit www.skyecanyon.com.