Death Valley National Park to Hold Annular Eclipse Viewing

The first annular eclipse seen in the United States in 18 years will be visible on May 20, 2012, and Death Valley NP Rangers will be offering prime time viewing from Dantes Viewpoint. From 5:30-7:30 pm, rangers will assist park visitors in seeing the eclipse through telescopes and solar glasses from a premier vantage point within the park. Here at Death Valley National Park viewing vantage point we will see 86 percent of the sun blocked out by the moon. Two telescopes with sun filters, special eclipse glasses and a pinhole camera will be available for safe viewing of this celestial event. Because the Sun wont be completely blocked, it is essential for viewers to use special solar glasses or other protection to view this event. Glasses will be available for sale at the Death Valley NP Visitor Center bookstore. Dantes Viewpoint is located ~30 miles south of the Furnace Creek Visitor Center. From Furnace Creek, drive south on State Highway 190, 17 miles to the Dantes View turnoff and continue 13 miles. Due to limited parking, please carpool. As temperatures are likely to be warm bring plenty of water. Restrooms are not available on site, but are located along the road 1/4 mile below the viewpoint. Note that Dantes View Road has a vehicle length restriction of 25 feet. For more information on the eclipse, see http://nature.nps.gov/features/eclipse. For more information on the Death Valley program, call 760 786 3280.