The Solar Marker sculpture at Edge of the Cedars represents numerous rock art sites where ancient people marked the movement of the stars and changing seasons. Courtesy photo
From 1 to 3 p.m., at hourly intervals, the museum will present storytelling of Navajo star stories in the Starlab, a portable planetarium that will be set up in the museum’s auditorium throughout the day, according to a news release from the park.
Those who would like to participate in the Starlab events are asked to arrive at least 15 minutes prior to the hour in order to sign up for the activity because the Starlab seats only 30 people comfortably, according to the news release.
From 4:30 to 5:15 p.m., participants will gather around the “Solar Marker” sculpture, which is located behind the museum, for a presentation about the sculpture and the way in which it marks time by using the sun. Bluff, Utah, artist Joe Pachak, who created and installed the sculpture at Edge of the Cedars, will discuss the outdoor living archaeoastronomy laboratory while participants watch it in action.
“The sculpture dramatically reproduces the sun-dagger archaeoastronomy site where the light bisects a spiral as the sun sets marking the time of the longest night,” EOC officials said in the news release.
After sunset, participants will move into the auditorium for a talk led by Pachak on “landscape and archaeoastronomy.” He will discuss how people in the past have understood the stars and changes in the seasonal light in the sky, and the role the sky played in ancient cultures.
Refreshments will be served prior to the talk.
Museum events are free to the public, and donations are appreciated.
Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum is located at 660 West, 400 North, in Blanding. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Daily admission is $5.
For more information contact the museum at 435-678-2238.