Astronomical observing Cherry Springs State Park

telescopes belonging amateur astronomers await nightfall

the staff @ cherry springs state park did not intend become attraction amateur astronomers; astronomers came them instead. in 1997 or 1998 chip harrison, park supervisor, noticed man looking through telescope @ park @ 1 am. when harrison asked why man had come there, astronomer said had noticed isolated black patch on north central pennsylvania on nighttime satellite photos. cherry springs state park in patch, 1 of best locations east of mississippi river stargazing.

an increasing number of astronomers began come cherry springs, in 14-day dark sky period around new moon, between last quarter , first quarter phases. park open year-round , between 60 and 85 nights each year have ideal conditions, when apparent magnitudes of faintest stars visible can range 7.1 to 7.5. park s astronomy field has been upgraded accommodate these astronomers. in 2005 a rotating 15-foot (4.6 m) slotted observatory dome, 2 12-foot (3.7 m) clamshell domes, , 10-by-12-foot (3.0 3.7 m) sky shed added, small amphitheater programs. 4 structures protect telescopes wind , thermal currents. next year concrete pads 4 , 6 feet (1.2 , 1.8 m) in diameter placed @ random in field, , electrical pedestals, each 6 outlets, added power telescopes , computers. in 2009, wi-fi internet access added astronomy field.

the whirlpool galaxy (m51) in constellation canes venatici, seen astronomy field

while typical clear night might have 50 to 100 observers, each year park hosts 2 major star parties both attract several hundred astronomers several nights. black forest star party, sponsored central pennsylvania observers of state college, has been held each fall since 1999. cherry springs star party, sponsored astronomical society of harrisburg, has been held each june since 2005. there free public programs @ amphitheater on former airport site, of part of national public observatory s stars-n-parks program. meteor showers attract crowd , aurora borealis can seen park. stargazing business, crystal spheres , has been established , presents music , stars programs, hour-long concert followed hour of stargazing. such nature tourism has positive economic impact area.

awards , press recognition have come cherry springs , staff. thom bemus, initiated , coordinates stars-n-parks program, named dcnr s 2002 volunteer of year. in 2007 the park s dark sky programming , staff received environmental education excellence in programming award pennsylvania recreation , parks society. operations manager chip harrison , wife maxine, directs dark sky fund, received 2008 award pennsylvania outdoor lighting council steadfast adherence , active promotion of principles of responsible outdoor lighting @ cherry springs state park . dcnr has named cherry springs 1 of 25 must-see pennsylvania state parks , having darkest night skies on east coast . cherry springs state park featured in national press in 2003 when usa today named 1 of 10 great places stars in eyes , in 2006 when national geographic adventure featured in pennsylvania: wild, wild east , , in new york times in 2007. these before named international dark sky park international dark-sky association in 2008.