Astronomy Festival

Chaco Culture National Historical Park will be hosting its annual Astronomy Festival from September 27 through September 29, 2024. The festivities will kick off at 2pm on September 27 with a presentation from Marlon Magdalena from Jemez Pueblo. Marlon will be doing a second presentation at 7pm. Marlon Magdalena is an artist, astronomer, and educator from the Pueblo of Jemez. He performs with flutes of his own making, and some made by others. He is also the Instructional Coordinator at the Jemez Historic Site where he educates the public about the Jemez People. Marlon’s 7pm presentation will be followed by telescope viewing with The Albuquerque Astronomical Society.

Christine Cassano will be doing a presentation on September 28 th at 2pm. Christine is an interdisciplinary artist whose work is a continuous exploration of the idea that encoded information exists through our interconnected and unseen universe. Strong family ties to aviation, science and NASA fostered her curiosity for a deep understanding of our world and beyond.

Former director of the US Naval Observatory, Alice Monet will be presenting at 7pm on September 28. Holding a doctorate in astronomy from the University of Virginia, much of Alice’s work was in support of NASA missions to several members of the solar system, including asteroids, comets, and planetary satellites. Alice’s presentation titled “Astronomical Observing in Ancient Chaco” will be followed by telescope viewing with The Albuquerque Astronomical Society. The event will conclude with a second presentation from Christine Cassano at 10am on September 29.

2024 Astronomy Festival Schedule

Friday, September 27, 2024

• 10:00 am - Una Vida with Ranger Justin
• 2:00 pm - Presentation by Marlon Magdalena
• 7:00 pm – Presentation by Marlon Magdalena
• 8:00 pm – Star Party with the Albuquerque Astronomical Society

Saturday, September 28, 2024

• 2:00 pm – Presentation by Christine Cassano
• 7:00 pm – Astronomical Observing in Ancient Chaco with Alice Monet
• 8:00 pm – Star Party with the Albuquerque Astronomical Society
• Sunday, September 29th
• 10:00 am – Presentation by Christine Cassano

All these events will take place at the Chaco Canyon Visitor Center. For updates on these events please visit https://www.nps.gov/chcu/index.htm.