The stargazing season gets under way Saturday, May 5, at Pennsylvania's darkest sky location, Cherry Springs State Park near Galeton.

Also one of the darkest spots on the East Coast, Cherry Springs is the only International Dark Sky Park in Pennsylvania. It's a 48-acre state park in Potter County, 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.

A Night Sky Tour will lead off the astronomical season from 9-10:30 p.m. Participants will observe the constellations through a laser-guided tour led by park staff, who will recount the legends and myths surrounding the mysterious patterns in the sky.

Following the program, the park will have telescopes available for an up-close look at celestial objects. Telescope availability is subject to time and crowd-size limitations.

Pre-registration is required to attend the program and spaces are limited.

Additional versions of the Night Sky Tour will be held on Saturday nights through October.

The park also offers the Crescent Moon & Planet Watch on some Saturdays through October. Park staff leads participants through an exploration of some of the moon's fascinating features from highlands to volcanic plains to lunar landing spots.

Following the program, the park will have telescopes available for an up-close look at the moon. Telescope availability is subject to time and crowd-size limitations.

The first Crescent Moon & Planet Watch will be 9-10:30 p.m. Saturday, May 19.

Pre-registration is required.

Curt Weinhold, a Pennsylvania Wilds juried artisan, will lead Nightscapes Photography Workshops on Saturdays, May 12, June 9 and August 10.

Pre-registration is required.

For more information about park programs or to register for a program, visit the Cherry Springs State Park web pages.

The park's Overnight Astronomy Observation Field will be closed for the annual Cherry Springs Star Party, sponsored by the Astronomical Society of Harrisburg, June 14-17. All visitors during that period must register for the event through the ASH at https://www.astrohbg.org.

It will be closed again September 7-9 for the annual Black Forest Star Party, sponsored by the Central Pennsylvania Observers. All visitors during that period must register for the event through the CPO at http://bfsp.org.

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