COUDERSPORT — The Black Forest Star Party, an annual dark-sky amateur astronomy observing event hosted by the Central Pennsylvania Observers, will be held this weekend in Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County.

Held every year since 1999, star-gazers flock to Cherry Springs because it is one of the darkest sites in Pennsylvania and has been designated as the state’s first Dark Sky Park by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR).The Cherry Springs site is also in a large field, at an altitude of 2,300 feet above sea level.

Only pre-registrations were accepted because it helps the park limit the number of people to provide chairs, food and other necessities for during the event.

The registration desk opens at noon Friday — all early arrivals are asked to report to the registration desk to pick up their badges and door prize tickets.

Saturday kicks off with a children’s program at 11 a.m.

At noon Saturday, Doug Reilly will speak on “The Night Sky as a Story: Astronomy Outreach With a Purpose,” followed by Don Pullen at 1:15 p.m. with talk titled “Amateur Radio Astronomy.”

Kimberly Cartier will speak on “A Short History of Nearly Everything Exoplanets” at 2:30 p.m., followed by keynote speaker Dr. Carey Lisse with a talk titled, “New Horizons: Early Results,” and then a few words by Chip Harrison.

The giveaway table will be open from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, with the drawing to take place at 5:15 p.m.

The start party ends at 9 a.m. Sunday.

No pets are allowed due to Pennsylvania state park regulations, and anyone arriving with pets of any kind will be asked to leave by park rangers.

No green laser pointers are allowed due to the serious danger to eyesight as well as astrophotography.

No car headlights are permitted after dark because they produce light pollution.

Those new to star parties are asked to make an honest effort to follow guidelines and “star party etiquette” found at obs.nineplanets.org/psc/etiquette.html.

SPACE.com’s Star-Party Survival Guide can be found at www.space.com/scienceastronomy/astronomy/stargazing_dos_donts_000607-1.html

A light pollution map of Pennsylvania, courtesy of the International Dark-Sky Association, is available on the star party website at bfsp.org.