Grants, NM- Join El Malpais National Monument Park Rangers and celebrate astronomy and dark night skies during Astronomy Month. Programs are every Friday evening throughout the month and will be presented at various locations throughout the monument. Astronomy Month’s aim is to encourage people to go outside, look up, and share the sky.
April 5: Stargazing at Sandstone Bluffs from 8:30 - 9:30 pm. Come out to Sandstone Bluffs for a constellation tour, stories, and deep sky viewing through a telescope. Sandstone Bluffs is located off of Highway 117, about 18 miles from Grants.
April 8: Partial Solar Eclipse Viewing at the El Malpais Visitor Center from 11:15am -1:45pm. Stop by the visitor center during the eclipse to safely look at the sun through a solar scope.
April 12: Night Hike at El Calderon from 8:00 9:30 pm. Experience hiking at night on a 1.5-mile walk on the El Calderon Trail and learn how animals are adapted to nocturnal life. The El Calderon Trailhead is located off of Highway 53, about 22 miles from Grants.
April 19: All About Astronomy at the El Malpais Visitor Center from 6:30 – 9:00 pm. Guest astronomer Derek Wallentinsen from the Albuquerque Astronomical Society will give a presentation from 6:307:30 in the visitor center theater followed by telescope viewing until 9:00 pm. El Malpais Visitor Center is located at 1900 E. Santa Fe Ave. in Grants.
April 26: Constellation Tour at El Calderon from 8:30 - 9:30 pm at El Calderon. View the park’s dark night skies at El Calderon with a constellation tour as we transition from winter to summer constellations. The El Calderon parking lot is located off of Highway 53, about 22 miles from Grants.
All programs are free of charge and do not require reservations. Dress warmly, wear sturdy shoes, and bring a flashlight or headlamp with a red light setting if possible. All outdoor programs are weather dependent.
For more information contact the El Malpais Visitor Center at 505-8762783 or visit www.nps.gov/elma. Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/elmalpaisnps