The train that "touches" the stars.

Departing from Ely, Nevada, the historic Great Basin Star Train takes passengers east of Ely to a light-free location to experience the rare beauty of a starry night sky. The trains are pulled by classic diesel locomotives and depart at sunset so passengers can watch the sun disappear behind the Steptoe Valley. In addition, the train cars have restrooms, wheelchair accessibility, and light refreshments.

Upon arrival, passengers will have approximately two hours to immerse themselves in one of the darkest skies in the 48 lower states. You might wonder, "How can I see anything in this darkness?" Don't worry, because you'll be accompanied by enthusiastic astronomy guides and state-of-the-art telescopes, ensuring you have a complete and unforgettable stargazing experience.

After having "touched" the stars, the Great Basin Star Train will take passengers back to Ely to spend the night in the train station's bunk bed rooms, or rest right in the train cars.

This train operates from May to September on select Fridays. Tickets for this summer are sold out, but tickets for summer 2020 will go on sale this fall. Tickets cost $41 for adults 13 years and older and $20 for children ages 4 to 12. An overnight stay in a train cabin or shelter in Ely costs an additional $60 per person.

According to a 2016 report, in the United States and Europe, 99% of people have never experienced the natural night sky. Star Train aims to show visitors what our ancestors saw when they looked up at the sky each night.

For those wishing to continue stargazing in the area, Great Basin National Park, located 65 miles east of Ely, is a perfect place to do so. It was designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2016 and regularly hosts stargazing events and the annual Astronomy Festival. In 2019, the festival will run from September 26th to 28th.

In fact, the International Dark Sky Protection Association has designated 70 parks similar to the Great Basin worldwide to protect the night sky from light pollution. There are currently a total of 47 such parks in the United States, including Death Valley National Park, Joshua Tree in California, and Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona.

PLEASE NOTE SOME RULES WHEN PARTICIPATING IN THE AESTHETICS PROGRAM:

• Do not use white light (flashlight or mobile phone) during the program. Red light is permitted.
• No smoking, drinking alcohol, or bringing any pets to the show.
• Bring a camping chair so you can comfortably enjoy the night sky.
• Wear layers to protect against the cold at night, even in summer.

Hai Anh