COUDERSPORT — Cherry Springs State Park will hold star-gazing events the weekend of June 21-22.
Activities include a Nature at Night program, Night Sky Tours and a park welcome/walking tour.
Nature at Night will be held from 8 to 8:45 p.m. June 21. People who arrive early for the Night Sky Tour that day are invited to join park staff at the Night Sky Viewing Area for a program on fascinating night critters, such as fireflies, bats, black bears or coyotes. To find out what critter will be featured, email Cherryspringsee@pa.gov. Preregistration is not required.
Night Sky Tours will be held from 9:30 to 11 p.m. both June 21 and 22 in the Night Sky Viewing Area. Participants will experience the splendor of the night sky at Cherry Springs when park staff give a laser-guided tour of the constellations and recount the legends and myths surrounding them. Afterwards, the group will take an up close look at celestial objects through park telescopes. Pre-registration is required.
Planning to attend the June 22 Night Sky Tour program? Arrive early and 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. Preregistration is not required.
To pre-register for the Night Sky Tour or to learn more about other free programs, visit http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/cherry_springs_state_park. If there is a problem with registering online, call (814) 435-1037 or email cherryspringsee@pa.gov.
Cherry Springs State Park is located at 4639 Cherry Springs Road and is 12 miles from Galeton via West Branch Road and 15 miles from Coudersport via Route 44. All stargazing and other programs will be canceled 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.
