Badlands National Park has partnered with the South Dakota Space Grant Consortium to host South Dakota Space Days 2014 during the Badlands Astronomy Festival, July 25-27. The festival brings together space science professionals, amateur astronomers, educators, and visitors for a three day celebration.                                    
• Novices and experts alike will enjoy the spectacular dark night skies of Badlands National Park at public star parties each evening.  During the day, a variety of family-friendly workshops and special events will provide opportunities for visitors to learn about the night sky, the sun, and space exploration.  This year additional telescopes will be provided by Celestron for day and night observations. 
• Events will include nightly special guest speakers, public stargazing activities, solar observing opportunities, planetarium shows, several workshops, as well as equipment demonstrations.  The Badlands Natural History Association (BNHA) will offer night sky-themed merchandise for sale in the bookstore at the Ben Reifel Visitor Center.
• This event is made possible through funding and support from the Badlands Natural History Association, South Dakota Space Grant Consortium, South Dakota School of Mines & Technology, Black Hills Astronomical Society, Journey Museum, SD Discovery Center, town of Interior, National Park Foundation, Celestron, NPS Night Skies Program, Bryce Canyon National Park, Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, and Badlands National Park.
• Schedule of Events:
• Public Stargazing
• Friday, July 25; Saturday, July 26; and Sunday, July 27
• 8:30 - 11:30 pm at the Cedar Pass Campground Amphitheater
• Keynote presentations by invited guest speakers.  Hands-on experience with multiple state-of-the-art telescopes and amateur astronomers providing constellation tours and guiding visitors around the universe. View planets, star clusters, nebulae, and double stars while going down the "scope line."
• Friday night keynote speaker: Richard Walker, Dakotalapse
• Saturday night keynote speaker: Amber Knutson, Graduate Student NPS Volunteer
• Sunday night keynote speaker: "Dark Ranger" Kevin Poe, NPS Interpreter

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