Event

There will be an annular solar eclipse on Sunday, May 20, 2012 that will be visible in a narrow band through the western United States.  Grand Canyon National Park and Glen Canyon National Resource Area are hosting astronomers willing to share the experience with the public visitors.

At the Grand Canyon, we will have astronomers set up at various park locations, including the Visitor Center. The rough eclipse schedule will be from around 5:30 PM through sunset around 7:30 PM Sunday night, with annularity in between. The sun will set like a MasterCard symbol at the end of the event. We have nearly 30 amateur astronomers and Rangers to guide visitors through the experience, as well as demonstrations by NASA professionals during the day. 

Eclipse glasses will be available for purchase for visitors.  Visitors are free to enjoy the event with the astronomers, and to join in a free star party at the Visitor Center following the sunset eclipse.  For further information, or to volunteer as an astronomer working with the public for this event, please contact:

GRAND CANYON NAtiONAL PARK
Jim O'Connor
gcsp@tucsonastronomy.org

Ms. Marker Marshall
Park Ranger - Interpretation
Marker_Marshall@nps.gov

GLEN CANYON NAtURAL RESOURCE AREA
Joan B. Mayer
Education Specialist and Special Events Coordinator
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Joan_Mayer@nps.gov

Date: Sunday, May 20, 2012

Time: 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Mountain

Location: Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center
Grand Canyon Village, AZ 86023

Information for Visitors

Location Details

Grand Canyon South Rim Visitor Center
North Rim: Grand Canyon Lodge Veranda. South Rim: Currently The Visitor Center, with potential for return to Yavapai Point.

Event Report

Comments and anecdotes about the event:
Approximately 35 astronomers and 11 NASA lunar specialists support the public outreach at Grand Canyon National Park.
Photo From Grand Canyon Annular Solar Eclipse
James W. O'Connor
Photo From Grand Canyon Annular Solar Eclipse
James W. O'Connor

UPCOMING EVENTS

Sat 4/11/2026
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Mountain
Star Party @ Ora Mae Park Ora Mae Park
13250 N Lon Adams Rd
Marana, AZ
Fri 4/17/2026
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Mountain
Star Party @ Catalina State Park Catalina State Park
11570 N Oracle Rd
Tucson, AZ
Sat 4/18/2026
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Mountain
Star Party @ Agua Caliente Park Agua Caliente Park
12325 E Roger Road
Tucson, AZ
Fri 4/24/2026
7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Mountain
Star Party @ Picacho Peak State Park Picacho Peak State Park
Picacho, AZ