Look up at the clear night sky, and you are bound to see some
stars. Maybe the Big Dipper.
But viewing the solar system is far more breathtaking at Cherry
Springs State Park in Potter County, termed the second
International Dark Sky Park in the world and the state’s first Dark
Sky Park.
Here you will see the nucleus of the Milky Way Galaxy. On good
nights, Cherry Springs Park Manager Chip Harrison said, you can
faintly see your own shadow with a shadow cast by the Milky
Way.
More often than not, he said, stargazers become excited when
seeing the Milky Way, something they haven’t seen since they were
children.
Hearing those words makes it all worthwhile, Harrison said.
The Milky Way is a star attraction.
“That really tells you something about that sky,” he said. “You
see what you have lost” with town and city lighting clouding the
sky. Surrounding state forests shield light from coming in Cherry
Springs.
Located in Galeton, he said Chery Springs draws 100 and 50
astronomers each weekend, who set up telescopes and peer into the
sky. He calls seeing so many interested people “impressive.”
And they have reason to be awed.
Cherry Springs offers a 360-degree view of the solar system on
the astronomy field, where enthusiasts can see galaxies, gas
clouds, nebulae and planets. Each August, he said, there’s an
amazing view of the Perseid meteor shower.
But sometimes a telescope isn’t even necessary, Harrison said,
to see just what’s out there. The naked eye works just fine, even
for professional astronomers. Some people use handheld binoculars,
too.
Four observatories are also available and can be reserved by
visiting the Cherry Springs State Park Web site at
http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/cherrysprings/cherrysprings_darkskies.aspx.
Some of Cherry Springs State Park upcoming events include:
• Saturday; 7 p.m.; Solar Viewing (about the sun).
• Saturday; 10 p.m.; Stars-N-Parks.
• June 10-13; Cherry Springs Star Party, hosted by the
Astronomical Society of Harrisburg, featuring lectures and
stargazing with experts. There is a separate cost for students,
adults and for a family.
• June 12; Cherry Springs Star Party; free stargazing event.
• June 12; 10 p.m.; Stars-N-Parks.
• July 3; 7 p.m.; Solar Viewing (about the sun).
• July 3; 9:30 p.m.; Stars-N-Parks.
• July 10; 7 p.m.; Solar Viewing (about the sun).
• July 10; 9:30 p.m.; Stars-N-Parks.
• Aug. 14; 9 p.m.; Stars-N-Parks.
Additional information is available by contacting Harrison.
Stargazers might find a few spots in Cameron County to their
liking, too.
Astronomy enthusiast Pat Garrigan of Emporium said Lookout
Mountain, off of Mason Hill, near Driftwood, gives a 360-degree
view of the night sky.
He said the area has become a family favorite, camping with his
sons. He’s had an affinity for the solar system for 30 years.
Also, the former dump in Lumber Township might be another prime
location, though it’s too early to tell, he said. Besides gazing at
the sky, he said, there is the possibility of seeing elk.
But, said Garrigan, who used to serve on Emporium Borough
Council, there are no immediate plans to develop that location into
a dark skies attraction.
