If you thought catching an Arizona sunset was on the must-do list, try seeing our stars! Mesa's night sky programs in our parks offer year-round opportunities for visitors to gaze at the stars. Arizona's clear desert skies offer some of the finest viewing conditions in the world for astronomical observations. Here are just a few ways to look up during your visit:

Grab your flashlight and head out to Usery Mountain Regional Park to take part in their “Stargazing for Everyone” series. Experts will share constellation stories and teach park visitors about the moon, stars, planets and galaxies while viewing the sky through several telescopes and using a sky laser. For dates visit, www.maricopa.gov/parks/usery/

Explore the universe and solar system for free at the Mesa Planetarium in the theater and on the rooftop observation deck as part of the Astronomy Nights program offered on the first Friday of every month. During this free public event, the planetarium runs shows that take place every half hour from 6:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. with telescope viewing from the observation deck beginning at 7:00 p.m.

Lost Dutchman State Park offers ranger-guided full moon hikes during the cycle of the full moon. No flashlights here as the moonlight is all you need to guide your path. The park is located in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains tucked away from surrounding light pollution allowing for incredible, crisp views of the night sky in the middle of the still desert. For dates visit, http://azstateparks.com/Parks/loDU/index.html. 

Watch reflections of night stars twinkle across the majestic Canyon Lake during a Twilight Dinner Cruise on Dolly Steamboat. For avid starseekers, be sure to experience their monthly Astronomy Cruises during high tourism season, where passengers have use of on-board telescopes to view the breathtaking beauty of the solar system under the instruction of astronomy expert Dr. Sky. Call for current tour schedules, advance reservations recommended, www.dollysteamboat.com

Mesa's East Valley Astronomy Club holds monthly star parties, sharing their telescopes while knowledge amateur astronomers locate constellations, count the moons of Jupiter and rings around Saturn. Star parties begin at dusk. For dates visit, http://evaconline.org/sp.html

Visitors to Mesa can also participate in a series of after dark activities including nighttime archery, animal 'Hide & Seek', sing-along campfires, outdoor movie nights and even nighttime mountain biking tours at Usery Mountain Regional Park. 

For information on these and other nightime visitor activities go online to www.VisitMesa.com or contact Michelle Streeter at Michelle@visitmesa.com, 480-682-3638.