skyandtelescope.com • JUNE 2019 61
advanced scientifi c projects. Wagner says educational oppor-
tunities will be available to students of all levels throughout
the world.
The observatory will also offer a completely different
experience for park visitors. “Now we have this amazing tool
where we can show off the night sky in St. Mary,” says Rade-
maker. As the camera projects images on screens for visitors,
it allows them to see well beyond the capabilities of the naked
eye looking through an eyepiece. “Our astronomers will be
able to talk in detail about the events being displayed.”More Opportunities
While the new telescope will offer an unparalleled experi-
ence, dedicated volunteers, including members of the Big Sky
Astronomy Club in nearby Kalispell, will continue to share the
night sky through the lenses of multiple telescopes, including
solar, in order to introduce people to the world above.
“The astronomer in me loves this,” says Lucas. “I meet
people in Glacier from all over the world. We live in different
parts of the world, but we all see the same sky.”
Lucas says the programs, which are held multiple times per
week at the Apgar and St. Mary Visitor Centers, usually begin
by the fi rst half of July (depending on when Going-to-the-Sun
Road is plowed open). He recommends that visitors check
the bulletins at the information kiosks or ranger stations for
specifi c details.
Although the evening programs often don’t begin until
nearly 10 p.m., the early-to-late evening hours offer excel-
lent opportunities to observe the brightest planets and stars
until the sky is dark enough to gain a better view of deeper
objects. Dark skies fi nally settle fully upon the landscape
closer to midnight.
In July, August, and early September, special star par-
ties are held at Logan Pass, which, situated at an altitude
of 6,647 feet, feels within reach of the stars. Tickets to
the event are free (although a $5 donation to the Glacier
National Park Conservancy is welcomed), and can be picked
up at the Apgar or St. Mary Visitor Centers the day before, or
even the day of, the event.
Attendees should be at th e parking lot at Logan Pass
around 9–9:30 p.m. and plan to remain there until midnight
since the headlights of any cars leaving will spoil the stargaz-
ers’ night vision. After an introduction, visitors are broken
into groups where an astronomer offers a laser-guided tour of
the night sky as it darkens, before everyone fi lters out to vari-
ous telescopes for an up-close view. Star enthusiasts can even
bring their own scopes for a front-row seat.
“It’s about the experience of seeing things in the truly dark
sky,” explains Wagner. “We try to get people to make per-
sonal connections.”Backcountry Seats
Offering views not every park visitor can witness, backcoun-
try campgrounds are some of the best places to stargaze,
whether you pack a telescope or opt for a pair of binoculars. ABRAVING THE ELEMENTS Comet Lovejoy (C/2013 R1) crosses the
winter skies above the fi re lookout on Mount Brown on December
7th, 2013. It took four nights in subfreezing temperatures before
Moon phase (new), cloud cover (none), and comet all aligned. On
this night the air temperature was –9ºF, not counting the wind chill.LIFE GOALS At latitude 48.6º north, Lake McDonald lies south of
the typical auroral oval, but in times of elevated geomagnetic activ-
ity, Waterton-Glacier is a top spot for viewing the northern lights.AU
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