UTAH | B.A.B.E. Star Watch Weekend presented with Rittenhouse Astronomical Society

Members and guests, arrange your own transportation and meet us at Hat Rock Inn on Friday, May 4th for our first star party! Gather in the Hotel Lodge Room for an orientation that will provide info on available trail rides and some of the other sights you may want to see within a day's drive including Mexican Hat Rock, Mokai Dugway, X Point, & Goosenecks State Park to name a few. You will need to provide your own Bronco (or capable off-road vehicle) as the terrain can be challenging.    

Bring binoculars to use as our astronomer, Ted, conducts laser-guided star tours to some amazing celestial sights. Follow the beam to its end and you'll find open clusters, globular clusters, nebulae, and star clouds.  

Draft Agenda: 

May 4, 2024 

• 7:30 PM Meet and Greet / Orientation in the Lodge Room of the Hat Rock Inn 

• 8 PM Welcome to the Hat / Area sights to see 

• 8:40 PM Civil Dusk Night Sky Asterism/Bright Star Tour/ Binocular Blast 

• 9:30 PM Astronomical Twilight Telescope Views provided by RAS members  

May 5, 2024 

• 9:00 AM Meet up for group trail ride (TBD) / pack a lunch and we will find a location for a scenic picnic  

• 8 PM TBD

Rooms have been blocked for May 3rd and 4th at The Hat Rock Inn. We will post information regarding how to make your reservation soon; rooms are limited. If you prefer the outdoors 24/7, there are several campgrounds in the area alongside overlanding opportunities; you will be responsible for your own gear and reservations.

Hat Rock Inn (Mexican Hat, Utah) is located over 100 feet above the San Juan River near Valley of the Gods. You can see and hear the water rushing over the rocks in a most beautiful setting. The south side of the Hat Rock Inn faces the Monument Valley area. With truly the darkest of skies, this is an excellent location for telescope viewing of the Southern Skies, location of the Core of the Milky Way Galaxy. (Telescope will be provided).

For more information about RAS, check out their website: https://www.rittenhouseastronomicalsociety.org