‘Star Party’ Saturday at Sugarloaf State Park

Sugarloaf State Park is known for hiking trails, occasional wildlife sightings and great views. Count among those views those of the distant planets, far-away galaxies and the star we all know best – the sun.

This Saturday, Feb. 6, Robert Ferguson Observatory (RFO) at Sugarloaf will host one of its regular “star parties,” opening the observatory’s main telescopes and additional ones that aren’t often open to the public.

The earlier half of the day, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., will feature solar viewing using two 80-inch refracting telescopes, heavily filtered for safe viewing of the sun. The RFO’s radio telescope captures the electro-magnetic sound of the sun, as well, adding another dimension to solar viewing.

The Star Party gets underway at 7 p.m., when the observatory’s three main telescopes are open for viewing. Docents set up additional telescopes in front of the building, and many amateur astronomers and photographers also show up to explore the cosmos with their instruments. And there’s always someone on hand to answer cosmic questions.

Among the telescopes in use for the star viewing will be the observatory’s newest, 40-inch reflecting telescope just installed to fit in the RFO’s west wing. Valley of the Moon Observatory Association members Steve Follett, Mark Hillestad, Larry McCune and George Loyer built the new telescope out of their garages, according to VMOA officials. The telescope will be the centerpiece of public observing held every month at the observatory, usually on a Saturday near the time of the “new moon” for best night sky visibility.

Upcoming dates include March 5, April 9, May 14, June 4 & 25, July 30, Aug. 11 and 27, Sept. 24, Oct. 8 and Nov. 19.

For additional information, visit rfo.org.