A Star is born:
An Introduction to Stellar Evolution
Friday, April 24, 2026
7:00 – 10:00 PM
A Star Is Born explores the life cycle of stars, offering an engaging introduction to stellar evolution. The program explains how stars form within clouds of gas and dust, evolve based on their size and mass, and ultimately die—sometimes quietly, and sometimes in dramatic supernova explosions that scatter the building blocks of future stars and planets.
Come learn about different star types, from small red dwarfs to massive blue giants, and follow their paths through stages such as red giants, white dwarfs, and supernovae. The program highlights how these cosmic processes are all part of an ongoing cycle that shapes the universe.
What to Bring:
- Warm clothes (the desert gets chilly!)
- A red flashlight (to protect our night vision)
Reserve your spot below! Parking is limited and on a first-come, first served basis.
The program is led by Michael Matthes, BLM Supervisory Park Ranger, a career interpreter with 16 years of experience. Michael has spent his career connecting visitors to the stars and dark skies across the desert Southwest, including at Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Great Sand Dunes National Park, where he helped establish these sites as International Dark Sky Parks. He is now focused on guiding Red Rock Canyon toward designation as an International Urban Night Sky Place.
Ready for More Stargazing in 2026? We Need Your Help!
Our 2025 Star Parties were a massive success, bringing over 1,200 people together under the beautiful dark skies of Red Rock Canyon. This year, we’re planning even more opportunities to connect our community with the cosmos, but we can’t do it without you!
We are launching a fundraising initiative to support our goal of achieving the Urban Night Sky Place designation from DarkSky International.
Your donation will directly fund:
- Expanded Programming including night hikes and more frequent star gazing parties
- Essential Supplies like lighting, informational materials, and equipment to run safe and engaging star parties
- Educational Presentations from expert speakers on astronomy, light pollution and more
- Scientific Data Collection in order to successfully complete our application
- Lighting retrofits to meet Dark Sky guidelines
Help us make 2026 our biggest and brightest year yet! Your support lights the way for conservation, education, and the protection of Red Rock Canyon’s breathtaking night sky.
Donate today and help us preserve the night sky experience at Red Rock Canyon!
Photo credit: Ben Robertson
Donate to the Project
Learn More
For details on the definition of an Urban Night Sky Place and eligibility criteria, visit the Dark Sky International website:
