The 2020 Eastern Sierra Dark Sky Festival
Enjoy informative astronomy lectures like this one from our recent Quadrantids Meteor Shower Party in Panamint Valley
A Dark Sky Festival is coming to the Eastern Sierra in 2020! The event is happening October 16th through 18th, at the Whitmore Recreation Area in Mammoth Lakes, and will feature huge telescopes, astronomy lectures from professional astronomers, nighttime photography workshops, booths/vendors, camping onsite in SHIFTPODs or your own RV/camper van, food trucks, beer, wine, and more!
View the cosmos through huge telescopes
You’ll be immersed in the cosmos at the high elevation and scenic surroundings of the Eastern Sierra. At 7020 feet above sea level, the sky comes alive in the night with less atmosphere to peer through than lower elevations. The galactic core of our Milky Way Galaxy will reveal itself shortly after sundown, and we’ll have telescopes going late into the night. A new moon will ensure dark skies throughout the event.
You’ll enjoy the SHIFTPOD XL Warming Hut along side the huge 14” Meade telescope — the same setup pictured here from the Quadrantids Meteor Shower Party
Both Daily and All-Weekend Passes are available, and you can add-on a SHIFTPOD to camp in onsite, bring your RV or camper van, stay at the Sierra Nevada Resort with shuttle service to the event, or do your own thing for accommodations. Brown’s Town offers a campground about 10 minutes down the road as well. All Daily and Weekend Passes also include admission for one child 15 years of age or younger, and, all Eastern Sierra students of all ages will be granted free admission with their student IDs.
Camp onsite in a SHIFTPOD if you please
Many more presenters and partners will be announced in the coming days and weeks, but so far the event lineup includes:
Telescopes set up for viewing the cosmos, including the amazing 14” Meade LX850
Astronomy lectures by Professor Jessica Werk from the University of Washington, Dr. Cameron Hummels of Caltech, and more to be announced
Nighttime photography workshops with Samuel Kahn (IG: @alpineastro)
SHIFTPOD XL warming hut
Food trucks
Beer from June Lake Brewing and Wavelength Brewing Co.
Wine from Color Wine
More to be announced soon!
Daily and All-Weekend Passes are now on sale. Reservations made by January 31st will also receive a limited edition 2020 Eastern Sierra Dark Sky Festival T-shirt, sticker, and, the first 10 All-Weekend Passes sold will also receive a pair of 10x50 Meade TravelView binoculars — the ultimate portable stargazing tool! Visit EasternSierraDarkSkyFest.com for more info or to purchase your pass. Come stargaze with us under the dark skies of the Eastern Sierra!
Learn about and enjoy the Universe around you (Lagoon Nebula)