Sky watchers can explore Nevada’s night sky with telescopes, wildlife walks, and virtual reality at a dark-sky event next week.
The Nevada Division of State Parks and the Division of Outdoor Recreation will host the inaugural Cosmos in the Desert Dark Skies Festival on Saturday, August 16, from 8 p.m. to midnight at Beach 3 in Lahontan State Recreation Area.
Originally postponed in April, the nighttime event will feature stargazing, guided walks, storytelling, virtual reality, and other family activities under a light-pollution-free sky.
White lights won’t be allowed in the event area, but a flashlight conversion booth will help attendees switch to red light.
“Lahontan offers some of the best dark skies in northern Nevada, accessible to both urban and rural communities,” said Chelsea Kincheloe, who oversees the Nevada Starry Skies program. “Cosmos in the Desert invites the public to explore and discover a different side of Lahontan, while promoting the preservation of these incredible dark skies.”
Activities include telescope viewing with the Astronomical Society of Nevada and the Western Nevada Astronomical Club from 9 p.m. to midnight, an astrophotography demo with Richard Carpenter from 9:30 to 11 p.m., and night sky talks with Dr. Thomas Herring of Western Nevada College at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Other offerings include virtual reality hosted by Travel Nevada (8–11 p.m.), nocturnal wildlife walks with the Nevada Department of Wildlife (8 p.m. and 10 p.m.), and storytelling with Ben Rupert (9 p.m. and 10 p.m.).
Booths will feature Art in the Dark, a Save Starry Skies license plate campaign, flashlight conversions, and refreshments. Food and drinks will be available for purchase from the Chilaquiles and Friends food truck.
Park entry is $5 per vehicle for Nevada residents and $10 for non-residents.
No reservations are required. Camping is allowed in designated areas (excluding Beach 3, day-use zones, and boat launches), and standard fees apply. Dogs and alcohol are not allowed in the event area. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
