The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve Dark Sky Celebration is almost here. The celebration begins tomorrow, August 27, with a planet walk all day at the visitor center. The walk follows the sand sheet loop trail, an easy quarter mile hike through the grasslands. The planet walk will have the planet's sizes and distances scaled to the length of the trial. The main event begins with a 30-minute “Birds of Prey” presentation at 6:30pm by the Nature and Wildlife Discovery Center of Pueblo, Colorado. Shortly following the presentation, visitors will have the chance to meet owls rehabilitated at the Discovery and Nature Center. A kids’ activity and information table will be set up at 7:30pm for visitors of all ages to learn about reducing light pollution and appreciating the dark skies. Staffed tables will provide astronomy information, handouts, and the Junior Ranger Night Explorer activity book. Upon completion of this activity book, kids can earn a special night sky patch. A ranger-led program will begin at 8:30pm followed by multiple telescope viewings of planets and deep sky objects. The event concludes at 11pm but stargazers are encouraged to continue enjoying the dark skies after the event. This event relies on good weather and dark conditions, so visitors are advised to bring red light flashlights and headlamps to protect their night vision and wear warm and layered clothing due to nighttime temperatures. The weather is looking clear, and we hope to see you there! #GreatSandDunes #NightSky #DarkSky #FindYourPark #EncuentraTuParque Image description: The Milky Way streaks across a dark sky above a sand dune that has ripples. The Milky Way is represented with a streak of white, pink and blue colors across a dark sky.