Kick back, relax and spend an evening exploring the night sky this Saturday when Lake James State Park's astronomy series begins.
The "Star Party" will start at 6 p.m. in the campground parking lot. It will include activities for children, educational programs and stargazing.
Park Ranger Nora Coffey said there will be a Star Party each month as part of the International Year of Astronomy.
Participants will get a chance to use the state park's new telescope, a Dobsonian reflector it received in the fall, Coffey said.
People can also bring their own telescopes, but don't worry if you don't have one.
Coffey said, "With astronomy you don't need big fancy telescopes. Lot of things you can see with the naked eye or a good pair of binoculars."
Each month's Star Party will highlight a different topic. Visitors in March will learn about phases of the moon and components of the solar system. April's topic is galaxies. May's is the sun.
The Catawba Valley Astronomy Club will be on hand to help participants.
Coffey said most activities will occur after dark, but observers during May's day-time session will look at the sun through telescopes with solar filters.
All the events are free and open to the public, but participants must register in advance. Attendees also must arrive before the state park's gates close at 8 p.m.
The International Year of Astronomy is a global effort tied to the 400th anniversary of Galileo Galilei's first use of an astronomical telescope.
Conceived in 2003 by the International Astronomical Union and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the year's goals include increasing scientific awareness, promoting widespread access to new knowledge and observing experiences, supporting and improving formal and informal science education, providing a modern image of science and scientists, improving the gender-balanced representation of scientists and facilitating the preservation and protection of the world's cultural and natural heritage of dark skies.
Register for the Star Party by calling Lake James State Park at 828-652-5047 or sending e-mail to Nora Coffey at nora.mcgrath@ncmail.net. Attendees must arrive before the state park's gates close at 8 p.m. Gates will reopen for people not camping overnight to leave at 9 and 10 p.m.
For more information on International Year of Astronomy visit www.astronomy2009.org.
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