On Sale Soon

Launch Yourself Into The Cosmos

Get ready for stargazing at high elevations above sea level — where Earth’s atmosphere is thinner and the nighttime sky shines clearer. Observe deep space objects through huge telescopes, listen to lectures from professional astronomers, attend nightscape photography workshops, visit booths and vendors, enjoy food trucks, giveaways, and more — all under the dark skies and high elevation of the Eastern Sierra!

Daily and All-Weekend Passes will be available — as well as onsite camping in a SHIFTPOD, bring your own camper van or RV and camp in the parking lot, or use your other favorite accommodations.short 10 minute drive down the road.

• Observe the cosmos through giant telescopes (included with all passes)

• Astronomy lectures by Dr. Cameron Hummels (Computational Astrophysicist at Caltech), Dr. Katherine de Kleer (Assistant Professor of Planetary Science and Astronomy at Caltech), and more? (included with all passes)

• Nightscape photography workshops with The World At Night photographer Oshin Zakarian, as well as Eastern Sierra photographers Samuel Kahn, Josh Mann, and Danilo Chacon available as optional add-ons

• Booths by Caltech, Eastern Sierra Observatory, Association of Lunar & Planetary Observers, The Planetary Society (Saturday only), local nightscape photographers, and more! (included with all passes)

• SHIFTPODs with or without cots are available for camping onsite as an optional add-on

• Personal camper vans and RV camping onsite available as an optional add-on

• Nightly coffee and hot chocolate compliments of Stellar Brew (while supplies last)

• Food vendors — One Dish • Cloudripper • Uncle Shyam’s • and more?

• $5 from every adult ticket will go to UCSC Intergalactic Medium Studies — Help fund cutting edge astrophysics!

• More details will be announced soon!

Early Bird Tickets On Sale Soon

All Daily and Weekend Passes will include access to all of the lectures, booths/vendors, telescopes, food trucks, and all other general attractions. Attendees may also ADD-ON the nightscape workshops, which are limited to 20 people per group (40 on the first night with both Oshin Zakarian and Samuel Kahn available to help with the hands-on portion). Other ADD-ONS include camping onsite in a SHIFTPOD or in the parking lot using your own camper van/RV, and an opportunity to get a free Eastern Sierra Dark Sky Festival T-Shirt with any add-on annual membership to The Planetary Society!

Please note that nightscape workshop participants should bring their own camera, tripod, and intervalometer.

Reschedule/Cancellation Policy

Due to the challenges of operating during times of Covid, wildfires, adverse weather, and whatever else the Universe has to offer, please note that WE DO NOT GIVE REFUNDS, HOWEVER, WE ALWAYS WANT TO BE CERTAIN YOU GET STARGAZING FOR YOUR MONEY. As is such, in the event that we have to cancel this event from our end for any crazy reason, you will be given full credit towards any future comparable stay or event. If you have to cancel your visit from your end, then you’ll receive full credit towards any future Death Vally Starcamp or Great Basin Starcamp events.

Booths, Vendors, and Sponsors

The Eastern Sierra Dark Sky Festival welcomes astronomy and science related booths and vendors, as well as anything local and fun! There is no charge for bringing your booth or display, but you must reserve space. To do so, please send an email to contact@easternsierraobservatory.com and tell us how you’d like to contribute.

SPONSORED BY: