A Line-Up of Night Sky Programs at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

News Release Date:
April 25, 2024

Contact:AJ Legault, 308-665-4113

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument has the Nebraska Panhandle covered for a summer of amazing star gazing! The park will have six times this summer where the park will be open in the evening during night sky events. Each event will consist of a program on a specific topic, then open time to relax under the stars using your own eyes or one of Agate's telescopes.

The first event, Eclipse and Eclairs, on April 6^th was canceled due to snow. Since it was the kids' astronomy program, the junior ranger eclipse books, badges, and yummy eclairs were donated to local schools. They were all happy to receive a special treat!

Saturday, May 4^th is the next opportunity for visitors to enjoy Agate's brilliant dark nights. The topic, "The Constellations of Spring" will be explained by Agate volunteer Tom Robinson. The visitor center will re-open at 7:30pm. Black Hills Parks and Forest Association sells night sky related objects in the bookstore. The program will begin at 8:00pm in the picnic shelter outside of the visitor center. Guided telescope viewing will happen after the presentation from 8:45pm until 10pm.

Visitors can bring lawn chairs or blankets to spread out on the lawn outside of the visitor center to view the dark skies more comfortably. Please only bring red flashlights. Red cellophane and rubber bands will be available in the visitor center to cover visitor flashlights as needed. Night vision is extremely important to see as much detail as possible throughout the sky. White lights, including car headlights, can ruin this vision.

More night sky programs at Agate Fossil Beds include: the "Campout Under the Stars and Full Moon" on June 22^nd-23^rd (reservations required); "Night Skies and Birds of Prey", a special presentation by the Black Hills Raptor Center on August 2^nd; "Catch the Perseids!" on August 11^th; and "Astrophotography 101" on September 7^th.

We hope you can join us for these fun-filled evenings. For more information, please contact the park at (308) 665-4113 or e-mail us. No registration is needed unless otherwise noted. ASL interpreter available upon request at least 5 days in advance.

Admission to Agate Fossil Beds is always free. Check out other events and activities on the park's website at https://www.nps.gov/agfo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is located 34 miles north of Mitchell, NE or 22 miles south of Harrison, NE on Highway 29 and 3 miles east on River Rd. The Visitor Center summer hours are 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and the trails are open from dawn until dusk. Visit us at www.nps.gov/agfo and on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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