T129 GeoCorpsTM America—A Successful Partnership Promoting Individual Professional Development and Application of Geoscience to Management of America’s Public Lands (Posters)

Monday, 20 October 2014
9:00 AM - 6:30 PM
Exhibition Hall C

ASTROCORPS: LINKING ASTRONOMY AND GEOLOGY IN BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Paper number: T129-6
Program: Technical Sessions
Time: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Authors

  • Kara Baker Presenting Author
    Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL

Abstract

Isolated from light pollution, free from air pollution, and at an elevation of over 8,000 feet, Bryce Canyon National Park is a dark sky sanctuary. In an attempt to showcase this unique feature within the national park service, "Dark Rangers" have initiated a plethora of astronomy events including evening ranger programs, telescope viewing, moonlight hikes, Planet Walks, and an annual astronomy festival.

As a part of AstroCorps (a subset of GeoCorps), I expanded upon each of these events. My greatest overall contribution was adding planetary geology to our astronomy interpretation efforts. This AstroCorps position allowed me to explore the park and the surrounding American Southwest, visit areas mapped during the Powell expedition, lead geology-themed hikes, share my knowledge with the park's diverse visitors, participate in Bryce Canyon’s Annual Geology Festival, shadow work in different park divisions, and better understand the internal workings of the national park service.