Bryce Canyon is located in southern Utah and has the largest collection of hoodoos (pillars of rock) in the world . The intense red colours make it a popular destination for hiking and photography. The park hosts a large stargazing program with approximately 100 astronomy programs per year, presented by astronomy rangers and volunteers. As well, there is a 4-day Astronomy Festival every summer, with programs including workshops and speakers. Organized Full Moon hikes are popular (these require a ticket). A fellow EarthSky stargazer says: “There is virtually no light pollution. The elevation (on the main road through the park) ranges from 8,000 to 9,000 feet (2004-2700 m), so the air quality is great, making for unusually good seeing. This is among the best dark-sky sites I’ve been to.”
Deborah Byrd
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About the Author:
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.