Muncy Historical Society will host one of its “Under the Night Sky” beginning at 7 p.m. events Saturday, Sept. 26. Chris Dalla Piazza, who has been an amateur astronomer and astrophotographer since 1992, will lead the night sky viewing program at the society’s Heritage Park and Nature Trail location, 601 Pepper Street, Muncy.
As darkness falls, park guests will be invited to join Della Piazza at the Educational Pavilion where he will discuss his interest in astronomy and outline what will be visible through the park-provided telescope experience. At a minimum, the telescopes will search out double stars or perhaps a star cluster and, if Saturn and the Moon clear the tree line, they, too, might be viewable.
The park is the ideal location to explore the night sky outdoors. As a river community, Muncy’s historic and cultural heritage has always been tied to the Susquehanna River, and the park’s location is ideal to celebrate its legacy. Guests are encouraged to arrive at the park at 7 p.m. to give their eyes an opportunity to adapt to the lack of light. Flashlights covered in red cellophane will be made available and red candle luminaries will line the pathways to the telescope viewing areas. To encourage further learning, a “Glow in the Dark Star Finder” will be given to the first 25 young people so they can continue night sky exploration on his or her own.
The society’s meetings and events are always open to the public, with free admission unless stated. This is an all-outside event so dress appropriately. The decision to cancel the evening’s activities because of inclement weather conditions will be made by 5 p.m. Sept. 26. Call (570) 564-5917 for an update when weather is a consideration.
The society’s 2015 Calendar of Events is a year of learning and focus on World War II and the Home Front. The month-long Home Front exhibit can still be seen in the Community Room, Lycoming Mall on Sunday, Sept. 27 and Wednesday, Sept. 30, noon to 4 p.m. A descriptive listing of the remaining 2015 events and programs can be viewed at www.MuncyHistoricalSociety.org.
