News Release

Cape Cod National Seashore to Host Cape Cod Astronomical Society for First Dark Sky Festival on September 24

Date: September 13, 2022
Contact: Daniel Blankenship, 508-413-0091

EASTHAM, Mass. – Cape Cod National Seashore welcomes the Cape Cod Astronomical Society as cohost of our first Dark Sky Festival in the park. This event will provide presentations for the public at the Salt Pond Visitor Center Auditorium during the day and a star party in the evening at Marconi Beach Parking Lot. This will be the first full day/night sky celebration with presentations from accomplished physicists, astronomers, and astro-photographers. Admission is free, and open to the public.

The Dark Sky Festival is a great opportunity to learn about the characteristics of the night sky for all ages. During the morning there will be family-oriented activities with rangers at the Salt Pond Visitor Center exploring the scope of our galaxy, storytelling, and constellation crafts.

Starting in the afternoon, presentations feature local New England astronomers and skilled amateurs. While serving at NASA Headquarters, Dr. Jim Head participated in the selection of landing sites, training astronaut crews in geology and surface exploration, planning experiments to be deployed on the Moon, mission operations in Houston during lunar surface exploration, and analysis of the lunar samples returned by astronauts. Dr. Larry Marschall, a professor of physics, has taught astronomy, physics, and science writing for over 43 years. Dr. James Lynch currently holds the position of Senior Scientist Emeritus at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Dr. Mike Hunter has been an active amateur astronomer since 1957 and specializes in observations and the design and construction of equipment and facilities. The presenters will inform the audience about amateur astronomy, amateur astrophotography, the impacts of satellites on our experience of the night sky, and future of our perspective of exploring the galaxy.

The last event of the day is the Star Party at Marconi Beach Parking Lot, in WELLFLEET, Mass. The members of the Cape Cod Astronomical Society will provide telescopes and visual aids to explore the night sky. However, if you own a good pair of binoculars, do not hesitate to bring them along.

IF YOU GO TO THE STAR PARTY: Dim your vehicle lights while entering the Marconi Beach Parking Lot. Follow signage and ranger instructions for parking spots. Bring a flashlight and meet a ranger at the orientation table to receive red cellophane to protect participants night vision.

This free event is made possible by the support of the Cape Cod Astronomical Society.

Schedule of events: https://www.nps.gov/caco/planyourvisit/dark-sky-festival.htm