See why Cape Lookout National Seashore in Carteret County is a certified International Dark Sky Park during the Crystal Coast Star Party scheduled for the first weekend in May.
The seashore is collaborating with the Crystal Coast Stargazers astronomy club, Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center and Island Express Ferry Service to host the party with the theme “Discover the Night” May 3 and May 4.
Sponsor Spotlight
Except for the cost of ferry transportation for the Starlight Cruise, all activities are being offered at no charge. Registration is open at https://ccgazers.com/crystal-coast-star-party/
The Crystal Coast Stargazers will have telescopes set up for visitor viewing opportunities at 8 p.m. on both days of the star party. If anyone wants to bring their own, they will need to be set up no later than 7:30 p.m.
This year, an area will be designated within the telescope viewing area for astrophotography. Visitors in the telescope and astrophotography areas should not use white lights as they will spoil night viewing and ruin photographs. Red lights are encouraged, and loaner red lights can be provided by the National Park Service at no cost, organizers said.
Though there is no camping on the visitor center grounds, attendees may stay with their telescopes throughout the night. Organizers encourage visitors to bring their own chairs, blankets, bug spray and other comfort items.
All events are child friendly, and there will be hands-on astronomy activities coordinated by Fort Macon State Park ranger Paul Terry and the Crystal Coast Stargazers 1-3 p.m. May 4 at the seashore’s visitor center on Harkers Island.
Sponsor Spotlight
Robert Harrison, a NASA Solar System Ambassador, will host an ASIAIR Astrophotography Workshop at 4 p.m. on May 3 in the education hall of Core Sound Waterfowl Museum. ASIAIR is a software system that makes the first steps into astrophotography straightforward and exciting for all experience levels.
Ray Lundquist, NASA system engineer for the Artemis Mission will present at 4 p.m. on May 4 “Returning to the Moon – Preparing for Mars,” also in the education hall of the waterfowl museum. He will share some of the results of the many NASA missions he has worked on, as well as behind-the-scenes stories from NASA.
Island Express Ferry Service, the park’s authorized passenger ferry service, will offer starlight cruises on Saturday and Sunday with a NASA Solar System Ambassador who will provide a laser-pointed presentation of the night sky from the Cape Lookout Lighthouse area. The ferry is to depart the Harkers Island visitor center at 7:30 p.m. and returns from the lighthouse dock at 9 p.m. for an arrival back to Harkers Island by 9:30 p.m.
Reservations for this cruise must be made in advance. Call Island Express Ferry Service at 252-728-7433.
For more information on astronomy at Cape Lookout, visit the website.
