COUDERSPORT—A small group, private tour of the night sky is being offered on four different dates and a night sky photography workshop on Saturday, May 8 at Cherry Springs State Park.
In the event of rain, thunder or overcast skies, a program may be cancelled.
The park is 12 miles from Route 6 in Galeton via West Branch Road and 15 miles from Coudersport via Route 44.
Around the World in 80 Minutes is a telescope tour offered by North Star Outdoor Guides at 8:45 p.m. on Friday, April 30; Saturday, May 1; Friday, May 7 and Saturday, May 8. The maximum number of people that can participate per program is 16.
Join North Star Outdoor Guides for this personalized, small group experience at Cherry Springs, an International Dark-Sky Association-designated gold level status dark sky park. Featured will be a laser guided tour of various constellations, telescope viewing and a discussion of the dark skies.
Registrants will look at the night sky through the eyes of the ancient Greeks, Chinese, Indians, Native Americans, and others. In the United States, the Greek constellations and their associated mythological stories are the most well-known.
This dark sky telescope tour ensures maximum telescope time without long waits and a more individualized program. Objects which may be viewed include planets, nebulae, red giants, globular clusters, galaxies, and binary star systems.
Bring lawn chairs, bug spray and a flashlight with a red light as only red light is allowed on the viewing field. Dress in warm clothes.
The $20 per person fee includes a $3 non-refundable processing fee. Children five and under are free.
Registration is open but will close when the program is full or at 3 p.m. two days before each date. To complete registration, payment must be made in full.
The Nightscapes Photography Workshop will be held May 8. The first 10 people who preregister will be accepted for the three-hour Nightscapes Photography Workshop being given by Curt Weinhold at 8:45 p.m. on May 8 at Cherry Springs. Learn how to photograph the starry night sky, including constellations and the Milky Way, and foreground material using your own DSLR camera and lenses. There is a $60 fee for the course.
To preregister online for an Around the World in 80 Minutes telescope tour or the Nightscapes Photography Workshop, visit http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/cherry_springs_state_park. If there is a problem with registering online or for information about other programs offered at the park, call (814) 435-1037 or email cherryspringsee@pa.gov.
