COUDERSPORT—Cherry Springs State Park at 4639 Cherry Springs Road, Coudersport, Pa. 16915 is 12 miles from Galeton via West Branch Road and 15 miles from Coudersport via Route 44. All stargazing and other programs will be cancelled if it rains or thunders.
Anyone may observe the night sky at Cherry Springs on his or her own without attending a stargazing program. All visitors should arrive before dark. Search for the Clear Sky Chart online for 48-hour forecasts about viewing conditions. Arrive early for a program, bring a picnic supper and use nearby picnic tables and charcoal grills.
Park Welcome & Walking Tour is Friday, June 7: Join park staff from 8 to 8:45 p.m. for a short, guided walk of park facilities to learn about their past, present and future. All ages are welcome. Meet at the information kiosk near the restroom in the visitor parking area on the north side of Route 44. The walk is less than a mile on mostly level terrain. Registration is not required.
Lunar Viewing is Friday and Saturday, June 7 & 8: From 9:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, June 7 and 8, Lunar Viewing is being offered free in the Night Sky Viewing Area. Join park staff to take a journey to the moon to explore some of its fascinating features from highlands to volcanic plains and to see where lunar landings took place. Afterwards, take an up close look at the moon using park telescopes. Pre-registration is required.
Nature at Night is Saturday, June 8: Arrive early at the Night Sky Viewing Area and join park staff from 8 to 8:45 p.m. for Nature at Night, a free program on fascinating night critters, such as fireflies, bats, black bears, coyotes or others based on animal activity in the park. Registration is not required for Nature or Night programs or to picnic in the park.
Nightscapes Photography Workshop is Saturday, June 8: The first 10 people who pre-register will be accepted for the Nightscapes Photography Workshop being given by Curt Weinhold at 9:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 8. Learn how to photograph the starry night sky, including constellations and the Milky Way, and foreground material using your own DSLR camera and lenses. View samples of Weinhold’s work at http://pbase.com/cwphoto. Fee: $60. For details, visit http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/cherry_springs_state_park.
Online pre-registration for stargazing programs is required. Visit http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/cherry_springs_state_park. If there is a problem with registering online or for information about these free programs, call (814) 435-1037 or email cherryspringsee@pa.gov.
