Courtesy/FUNM

Fort Union News:

WATROUS — Fort Union National Monument announces its upcoming free evening Lantern Lit Legacies and “An International Dark Sky Park” programs to be held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Aug. 9-11.

8 p.m. – Lantern Lit Legacies: Why preserve these ruins? Discover this site’s legacy as the sun has set and lanterns now shine during this 45-minute tour. This tour immediately precedes the dark sky program. (Park gates re-open at 7 p.m., but historic fort area will not open until the 8 p.m. tour for participants.)

8:45 p.m. – An International Dark Sky Park: Experience the night sky as rangers share fun facts, celestial stories and guide you in the observation of deep sky objects though park provided telescopes. 90-minutes. (All grounds and gates will close at 10:30 p.m.)

Fort Union National Monument is west of Watrous. Take exit 366 off I-25 and follow NM 161 eight miles west to the Monument. For more information visit us on online at www.nps.gov/foun or contact the park at 505.425.8025, ext. 0. The site, programs and events are free.