Explore the Skies at Canyons of the Ancients with Archaeoastronomy Programs & Star Party
Join us at Canyons of the Ancients Visitor Center & Museum on September 19, 2025, for a full day of special presentations exploring the deep connections between people, place, and sky. The day will culminate in a free, family-friendly Star Party under some of the darkest skies in the Southwest.
Whether you’re fascinated by ancient cultural landscapes, intrigued by Stonehenge’s alignments, or simply love gazing at the stars, this day-long event has something for everyone.
Daytime Programs (Registration Required)
9:30 AM – Escalante Pueblo Tour with Greg Munson
Take a guided tour of Escalante Pueblo with Greg Munson of the Society for Cultural Astronomy in the American Southwest (SCAAS). Explore the cultural and astronomical significance of this hilltop pueblo and learn about new research connecting Escalante and Lowry Pueblos to the sky.
Register for Escalante Pueblo Tour
3:30 PM – Sighting the Sun – and Moon? – at Stonehenge
Join Clive Ruggles & Amanda Chadburn for a fascinating talk about Stonehenge’s solar and lunar alignments, and what recent observations of rare lunar standstill events reveal about the site’s possible purposes. Register for Stonehenge Presentation
4:30 PM – Envisioning a Cultural Landscape
Learn how new technologies—drones, photogrammetry, geospatial analysis, and horizon modeling—are helping SCAAS researchers reconnect descendant communities with ancestral knowledge of the skies and landscapes at Escalante and Lowry Pueblos. Presented by Greg Munson & Ric Alling. Register for Cultural Landscape Presentation
Evening Star Party (No Registration Required)
7:00–10:00 PM | CANM Visitor Center Plaza
After the sun sets, stay for our Star Party—a free, family-friendly event open to all!
Guest speakers Ric Alling, Bryan Bates, Bertram Tsavadawa (Hopi), and Mary Weahkee (Comanche/Santa Clara Pueblo) will share stories of the stars, constellations, and their cultural significance. A few telescopes will be available, and you are encouraged to bring your own telescope or binoculars to make your own discoveries and share with others.
Bring your red-light flashlight, chair, telescope or binoculars, and your curiosity for the night sky. If you’d like to share your telescope, please RSVP to Amala at aposeymonk@blm.gov
No registration is needed for the evening program—just come and enjoy the view!
Join Us!
Come for the day, the evening, or both. Together, we’ll celebrate the rich cultural and natural heritage of Canyons of the Ancients while experiencing the wonder of the cosmos.
Support the Stars & Stories at Canyons of the Ancients
Events like the Star Party are made possible through the work of the Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance (SCCA)—the nonprofit partner of Canyons of the Ancients National Monument. From protecting cultural sites to creating opportunities for the community to experience the wonder of dark skies, your gift helps ensure these programs remain free and accessible for everyone.
Make a Donation Today to help us preserve the heritage, landscapes, and skies of Canyons of the Ancients for generations to come.
Prefer to give in another way? You can also support us by donating items directly from our Night Sky Events Wishlist to provide the red lighting and supplies that make safe, starlit gatherings possible.
Thank You to Our Partners
This special day of learning and stargazing is made possible through the collaboration of dedicated partners. Together, we celebrate the cultural and natural heritage of Canyons of the Ancients and the wonder of its dark skies.
Our collective efforts bring the stars a little closer for everyone.
With gratitude to:
