Stephanie Sadowski | ssadowski@pennlive.com

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Stephanie Sadowski | ssadowski@pennlive.com

Where are the darkest skies in the state?

News this week that the NASA satellite Juno has orbited Jupiter after a five-year journey has us wondering: What are the best places in Pennsylvania for stargazing?

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Stephanie Sadowski | ssadowski@pennlive.com

Cherry Springs State Park, Potter County

Cherry Springs is a 48-acre state park southwest of Galeton in Potter County. It lies along Route 44 and is surrounded by 262,000-acre Susquehannock State Forest. 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. On a clear night you can see 10,000 stars and their constellations. By contrast, in your backyard, you'll be lucky to see a few dozen stars ... and maybe the Big Dipper. For a few hours of casual stargazing, there is the Night Sky Viewing Area. For more serious viewing, with stricter rules, there is the Astronomy Observation Field.

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Stephanie Sadowski | ssadowski@pennlive.com

York County Astronomical Society Observatory

The nonprofit York County Astronomical Society operates the York Learning Center Planetarium and hosts star parties, astronomical shows and other programs. The society, which was started in 1989, has about 70 members spanning four counties in Pennsylvania and in Maryland and Delaware. It owns five research-grade telescopes, and several of its telescopes can be loaned to members. It will host a public observing Saturday, July 9, from 8 to 11 p.m. in John Rudy Park, York (in case of clouds, there will be an astronomy program in the observatory).

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Stephanie Sadowski | ssadowski@pennlive.com

Naylor Observatory, Lewisberry

The Astronomical Society of Harrisburg, founded in 1955, offers public viewing nights (check the calendar on their website). The nonprofit society is made up of more than 100 amateur astronomers from the Harrisburg area. Public viewing nights, which are free, are held at the Naylor Observatory in Lewisberry.

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Franklin & Marshall College in the city of Lancaster, Lancaster County, February 25, 2016, aerial photo. Armstrong World Industries is at top, far left. Dan Gleiter, PennLive.com

Stephanie Sadowski | ssadowski@pennlive.com

Grundy Observatory, Lancaster

Franklin & Marshall's Grundy Observatory hosts a public observing night on the third Monday of each month all year. There's no charge for the event on Baker Campus just off Harrisburg Pike, and parking is available.

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Camping is one of the activities besides stargazing that are available to parkgoers at French Creek State Park in Berks County. Photo, The Associated Press

Stephanie Sadowski | ssadowski@pennlive.com

French Creek State Park, Berks County

French Creek State Park straddles the Schuylkill Highlands and is the largest block of contiguous forest between New York City and Washington, D.C. The park covers 7,730 acres and provide hiking, fishing, camping and biking.

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Lebo Vista on the edge of the Miller Run Natural Area in Tiadaghton State Forest offers a commanding view of the lower Pine Creek Gorge. It's part of the Pennsylvania Wilds. (Courtesy of Michael P. Gadomski)

Stephanie Sadowski | ssadowski@pennlive.com

Pennsylvania Wilds

Pennsylvania Wilds is 2 million acres of public lands for hiking, biking, fishing, boating, hunting and exploration in northcentral Pennsylvania. Within the 12-county region are: 29 state parks, eight state forest districts (1.3 million acres); 50 state game lands and Allegheny National Forest at 500,000 acres.

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Stephanie Sadowski | ssadowski@pennlive.com

Sproul State Forest, Clinton County

Sproul State Forest spans 305,450 acres in north-central Pennsylvania, or a bit more than 476 square miles. It includes steep and rugged hillsides through which run the West Branch of the Susquehanna River and its tributaries. For about 450 square miles, there is no electricity, permanent homes, or commercial telephone service, making it one of the most remote parts of the state. It's part of the Pennsylvania Wilds. It's named in memory of William C. Sproul, who was governor from 1919 to 1923 and known for his expansion of public education.

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Stephanie Sadowski | ssadowski@pennlive.com

You don't even know what you're missing

Chip Harrison, who manages the Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County, one of the darkest spots on the East Coast, estimates that only about 10 percent of people in the United States have ever seen a true dark sky. What's your favorite spot to stargaze? Leave it in the comments.

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