Cherry Springs State Park – Pennsylvania’s darkest stargazing spot and one of the darkest locations on the East Coast – has launched its weekly series of nightsky programs.

The 48-acre state park near Coudersport in Potter County, surrounded by 262,000-acre Susquehannock State Forest, is the only International Dark Sky Park in Pennsylvania. In 2008, the International Dark-Sky Association named it the first Dark Sky Park in the eastern U.S. and the second in the world ranked as Gold Tier.

Here’s the public program schedule for this year.

Night Sky Tour: Observe the constellations and learn their legends and myths through a laser-guided tour led by park staff. Following the program, the park will have telescopes available. Required advance registration opens 45 days prior to each event. Fridays, May 24 and 31, June 21 and 28, July 5, 19 and 26, August 23 and 30, September 20 and 27. Saturday, May 25, June 1, 22 and 29, July 6, 20 and 27, August 3, 24 and 31, September 21 and 28, and October 26. Sundays, May 26h and September 1.

Lunar Viewing: Explore some of the fascinating features of the Moon, from highlands to volcanic plains to locations of the lunar landings, Following the program, the park will have telescopes available. Required advance registration opens 45 days prior to each event. Fridays, May 10, June 7 and September 6. Saturdays, May 11, June 8 and September 7.

Full Moon Watch: Explore some of the fascinating features of the Moon, from highlands to volcanic plains to locations of the lunar landings, Following the program, the park will have telescopes available. Required advance registration opens 45 days prior to each event. Fridays, May 17. June 14 and July 12.

Red, White & Blue Night Sky Tour: Observe the constellations and learn their legends and myths through a laser-guided tour led by park staff. Following the program, the park will have telescopes available. Required advance registration opens 45 days prior to each event. Thursday, July 4.

Moon & Meteor Watch: The Perseid meteor shower will peak the weekend of August 9-11, but the bright first-quarter moon will wash out many of the meteors and stars. Following the program, the park will have telescopes available. Required advance registration opens 45 days prior to each event. Friday, August 9. Saturday, August 10. Sunday, August 11.

Full Moon & Planet Watch: Explore some of the fascinating features of the Moon, from highlands to volcanic plains to locations of the lunar landings, Following the program, the park will have telescopes available. Required advance registration opens 45 days prior to each event. Fridays, August 16, September 13 and October 11. Saturdays, August 17, September 14 and October 12.

Nightscapes Photography Workshop: Curt Weinhold, a Pennsylvania Wilds juried artisan, teaches students to photograph constellations & the Milky Way. Required advance registration opens 45 days prior to each class, which is limited to 10 students. Fee is $60 per student. Saturdays, June 8, July 6 and 27, August 3 and 31, September 28, and October 26. Friday, September 27.

Visitors may observe the nightsky on their own at the park without attending a program, but should arrive before dark.

The park is open every day of the year. The Night Sky Public Viewing Area is intended for short-term stargazing of a few hours or less and not for overnight stays. The Overnight Astronomy Observation Field is open to registered users all night.

The observation field will be closed for the annual Cherry Springs Star Party, sponsored by the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg, May 30-June 2. All visitors during that period must register for the event through the ASH at https://www.astrohbg.org.

The observation field will be closed to astronomers from 3 p.m. Sunday, July 28, through 5 p.m. Tuesday, August 6, for the 68th annual Woodsmen Show. Astronomers may not occupy the observation field during that period.

The annual Black Forest Star Party, sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Observers, will occupy the observation field from noon Friday, September 27, through noon Sunday, September 29. All visitors during that period must register for the event through the CPO at http://bfsp.org.