Let’s Play Among the Stars: A Guide to Stargazing in PA

Stargazing can seem like a daunting hobby; from memorizing all those constellation names and shapes to trying to form an animal out of just a glob of stars. For people who live in big cities, it may be impossible to even see stars outside their home! 

But, contrary to what you may think, it’s actually quite simple. The most important step is to just look up! Now, you’re already halfway there. You don’t need some big fancy telescope. You’ve got your two eyes and a hunger for knowledge. There are even more local parks than you could imagine that boast amazing stargazing spots and informative astronomy sessions. 

So, while you may not be a star superstar just yet, here are some great tips on how to get started, how to protect your peepers, and where to find your perfect stargazing lookout!

What You’ll Need

Sure, your eyes are a great start when it comes to looking at the sky, but if you want to truly stargaze, and not just a stargraze, there may be some things you want to have ready before hitting an open field. 

A blanket or portable chair is a necessity for stargazing. You’ll likely be surrounded by grass, or even dirt, and nobody likes a soggy bottom! Plus, if you plan on sitting and looking straight up for long periods of time, you may want to have a chair for back and neck support. Stargazing is meant to be fun, not painful!

Informative star materials and guides are best to have on hand so you can actually know what it is that you’re looking at. Not to mention, it’s a great chance to look super cool in front of your friends by pointing out Hercules and Orion the next time you head out together. The Farmer’s Almanac features a stargazing guide for every month of the year. There are even apps like SkyMap and Stellarium that help you find constellations and bright stars. Bring the night sky with you wherever you go!

Binoculars or a telescope are not necessary, but helpful. If you find yourself squinting and straining your eyes to make out what is above you, it may be better safe than sorry to invest in binoculars. Any binoculars will do! While some have a price point more fitting for true aficionados of the night sky, there are tons of inexpensive options available.  Telescopes too! 

A red flashlight is a tool that can keep you safe and make for smoother gazing. Why a red flashlight, you ask? The stars may look brightest on the darkest nights, but that also means your eyes may need a good amount of time to adjust to the darkness. Fumbling around with no light, or causing a distraction with a bright white light, can ruin the experience or even cause an accident. 

Red lights, famously, allow your night vision to continue longer, meaning walking to and from your gazing spot on an especially dark night will be a breeze. Not sure you want to invest in one? Make it yourself. Any flashlight can be covered in red cellophane for the same effect or be colored red with marker. Maybe even grab those red pantyhose you never wear and throw them over the light. Get crafty with it!

Where to Look

If the whole sky is full of stars, how do you know where to look? While tons of Pennsylvania State Parks feature incredible and official stargazing views and events, you’d be surprised how many perfect spots you can find in your own neighborhood. Head to your local park, binoculars and headlamp in tow, and get ready to see the night sights!

The darker the better. What this means is that if you’re in a city, the light pollution may make it harder to get a great view of the stars. Take a short drive outside the city to a local park. If you can find one with higher altitude, that’s even better. Lower altitude means you may be more susceptible to fog, smog, and light. There, you’ll find way less bright distractions and catch a good glimpse of the night sky. 

The more open the field, the closer to the sky. Well, not actually. But it will feel like it. Know of any parks with wide open areas of grass and little to no tall trees?

These are your best bet for an incredible gazing experience. The landscape plays a huge part in how you view the stars, so if bountiful trees are covering the sky when you look up, you may not see the full picture. 

Want to know the land? Check beforehand. Once you’re out and about on a dark night, it may be hard to get your bearings and figure out the best spot. Use your star maps and your GoodForPA park finder https://goodforpa.com/countyparksfinder/ to catch a glimpse at the different options. Take a quick trip out during the day to make sure it will be optimal at night!

Looking to be more informed before heading out on your own? NASA has their own Night Sky Network, which displays all the stargazing and astronomy clubs and events in your area.  A club can be a great way to discover incredible new stargazing spots, meet people in your community, and learn about the unlimited wonders of the sky!

So, while stargazing may have seemed daunting before, it should feel less intimidating now. Anyone can do it! And any PA park can host it! All you need is your two eyes and a nice place to sit! 

The PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is also celebrating stargazing this month, specifically at Cherry Springs State Park, one of the most famous dark sky parks with incredible views of the Milky Way and Northern Lights. Through them, you can find some of the amazing astronomy events happening this month, plus some additional resources including star maps and guides. 

Happy gazing!

Here are some upcoming stargazing events to experience the stars, planets, and moon:

• Friday, August 18 — Public Sky Watch — Canoe Creek State Park (8:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M.)
• Friday, August 18 — Night Sky Tour — Cygnus and the Milky Way — Cherry Springs State Park (8:45 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.)
• Friday, August 18 — Private Dark Sky Telescope Tour — Shamans and Saints — Cherry Springs State Park (8:45 P.M. – 10:15 P.M.)
• Friday, August 18 — Astronomy and the Night Sky — Ole Bull State Park (9:00 P.M.)
• Friday, August 18 — Through Our Telescopes — Hidden in Plain Sight — Cherry Springs State Park (9:30 P.M. – 10:15 P.M.)
• Saturday, August 19 — Night Sky Tour — Cygnus and the Milky Way — Cherry Springs State Park (8:45 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.)
• Saturday, August 19 — Through Our Telescopes — Hidden in Plain Sight — Cherry Springs State Park (9:30 P.M. – 10:15 P.M.)
• Saturday, August 19 — Nightscape Photo Workshop — Cherry Springs State Park (7:45 P.M. – 10:45 P.M.)
• Saturday, August 19 — Star Party — Blue Knob State Park (7:45 P.M. – 10:30 P.M.)
• Saturday, August 19 — A Young Moon and the Late Summer Sky — Hills Creek State Park (8:30 P.M. – 10:30 P.M.)
• Saturday, August 19 — Astro-Photography Workshop — Chapman State Park (9:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.)
• Saturday, August 19 — Astronomy and the Night Sky — Kettle Creek State Park (9:00 P.M.)
• Friday, August 25 — Night Sky Tour — Lackawanna State Park (9:00 P.M.)
• Friday, August 25 — Night Sky Tour — Late Summer Sky — Cherry Springs State Park (8:45 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.)
• Friday, August 25 — Through Our Telescopes — Moon and Planet Watch — Cherry Springs State Park (9:30 P.M. – 10:15 P.M.)
• Saturday, August 26 — Night Sky Tour — Late Summer Sky — Cherry Springs State Park (8:45 P.M. – 9:30 P.M.)
• Saturday, August 26 — Through Our Telescopes — Moon and Planet Watch — Cherry Springs State Park (9:30 P.M. – 10:15 P.M.)
• Wednesday, August 30 — Full Moon Stories and Smores — Maurice K. Goddard State Park (7:30 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.)
• Wednesday, August 30 — Blue Full Moon Watch — Black Moshannon State Park (8:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.)
• Wednesday, August 30 — Night Sky Tour — Blue Sturgeon Supermoon — Beltzville State Park (8:15 P.M. – 9:00 P.M.)
• Wednesday, August 30 — Full Moon Party — Raccoon Creek State Park (8:30 P.M. – 10:30 P.M.)
• Thursday, August 31 — Aurigids Meteor Shower Paddle — Black Moshannon State Park (8:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.)