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Stars and Astronomy Take Center Stage at Grand Canyon Star Party
By Katy Ramirez
Senior Producer
posted: 10:14 am ET
12 June 2000
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Stars Take Center Stage at Grand Canyon GRAND CANYON, Arizona -- Hundreds of tourists perch along the jagged red cliffs that overlook the sandy canyon below to watch the sun's orange glow slip below the horizon. But as they file away from the dimming light show another, perhaps more spectacular event is about to begin. About 30 amateur astronomers, armed with telescopes of various shapes and sizes, are gearing up for a celestial spectacle high above the canyon. 
| Once these tourists watch the sun set at the Grand Canyon, they will then go on to view another light show, the night sky filled with stars. |
The Grand Canyon Star Party, an annual, weeklong stargazing event, is part grassroots astronomy education, part family affair. And those who attend (about 20,000 total at last year's event) agree that the sky isn't the limit. 
"When I get a big a head on my shoulders, I come out here and get small.The vastness of the universe makes me realize that I am basically insignificant. It helps keep me grounded."
Grassroots education "The whole point is to let the public see the stars up close and get them interested in [astronomy]," proclaimed Jacob Wahler, 14, a local resident. Wahler and his friend, Nick Allen, 13, of Tucson, Arizona were proudly announcing to the crowd that they were viewing two galaxies -- M 81 and M 82 -- in one eyepiece.
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