Star Party

Area residents are invited to a “star party,” a telescope viewing of the night sky at Pine Hill Recreation Area near Waynesboro. The event, a partnership between Buttonwood Nature Center and Tri-State Astronomers (TSA), is free and open to the public.

Telescopes will be set up in the park, and members of the Tri-State Astronomers club will be on hand to guide viewers and answer questions.

TSA member, Andy Smetzer said, “One of the goals of our group is to have as many people as possible look through a telescope. It’s also a good chance for someone thinking of buying a telescope to try one out and ask questions.”

“During the star party, we will be observing various nebula and star clusters of the winter night sky,” Smetzer said.

For more information on the night skies, the club suggests these websites: www.tristateastronomers.org and www.spaceweather.com.

Viewers may come and go anytime during the event. Those attending may bring their own telescope and binoculars, as well as lawn chairs or blankets. Flashlights are not permitted in the telescope viewing area but may be used to reach the area from the parking lot.

Free.

(Cloud date TBA if needed—check website if cloudy)

This program is underwritten in part by Naturalist Discovery Series sponsors Bruce & Pam Rowland, and by Lucinda D. Potter, CPA, and SEK CPAs & Advisors.

Additional support from Buttonwood’s Today’s Horizon Fund contributors: The Nora Roberts Foundation; Alma W. Oyer; Marge Kiersz; APX Enclosures; Don Gibe and Nancy Erlanson; and the family of the late Carolyn Terry Eddy, with daughters Connie Fleagle & Kim Larkin.