COUDERSPORT— Officials at Cherry Springs State Park have released an August event schedule. All stargazing and other programs will be cancelled if it rains or thunders.
– Dark Sky Telescope Workshop is Friday and Saturday, Aug. 9 and 10. Participants are welcome to bring their own telescope or try out a park telescope for a night under the stars. The workshop is being held from 7 to 9:30 p.m. The main goal of this workshop is to provide each registrant with training on how to properly set up his or her telescope and how to use it. During the workshop, participants will observe the moon and the planets Jupiter and Saturn. The recommended age for this workshop is 10 years of age up to adults; those interested must pre-register and prepay $10.
Those who pre-register will be contacted with details about the workshop and how to prepay, and will be asked to complete a short questionnaire about the type of telescope equipment he or she will bring and his or her experience in using it so the training can be tailored to meet each individual’s needs. To guarantee more personalized attention, each instructor will work with no more than two people.
– Launch Into Space is Friday through Sunday, Aug. 9 -11. From 7 to 8 p.m., join park staff at the Night Sky Viewing Area for astronomy-themed educational games that provide an introduction to astronomy and the Moon & Meteor Watch that follows. Pre-registration is not required for this fun, family-friendly, free event.
– Moon & Meteor Watch, Friday through Sunday, Aug. 9, 10 and 11. The free Moon & Meteor Watch will be from 9 to 10:30 p.m. in the park’s Night Sky Viewing Area. The Perseid Meteor Shower will be peaking. Viewing will be negatively impacted by the first quarter moon. The moon’s brightness will wash out many of the meteors and stars, but the brightest meteors should be visible. During the laser-guided tour, park staff will discuss the meteor shower, the moon and constellations. Telescopes will be available for a closer look. Pre-registration is required.
– Shamans & Saints Tour is Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 10 and 11. The tour is being offered at 8:45 p.m. each evening. This North Star Outdoor Guides’ Dark Sky Telescope Tour ensures maximum telescope time and a more individualized program for the first 16 people to pre-register and prepay. The fee for this workshop is $20. For details, visit http://events.dcnr.pa.gov/cherry_springs_state_park.
To pre-register online for the Shamans & Saints tour, Dark Sky Telescope Workshop or the free Moon & Meteor Watch, 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.
