Description: Night Sky
Location: Pickett CCC Memorial State Park
Gather under Pickett's dark sky to explore the Milky Way's wonder and the importance of our night sky through stargazing and constellation exploration.
This program is recommended for all ages.
This program is all about helping you see and learn about the stars in the sky at night. We hope to connect people to the cosmos, igniting curiosity about the universe, and emphasizing how important the night sky is for people and wildlife, and how we can protect the dark for future generations.
The program will meet at the astronomy field located at the Pogue Creek Canyon State Natural Area parking lot.
During the program, you can expect to peer through telescopes and witness the breathtaking beauty of the Milky Way, while also learning to identify constellations that have captivated stargazers for centuries. In addition, the park ranger and volunteers will share insights about the cosmos, highlighting the ecological and cultural importance of preserving the dark, starry skies. The program will last about one hour but visitors are welcome to stay and enjoy stargazing as long as they like.
To prepare for the event, it's advisable to dress appropartly and bring a blanket or chair for comfortable stargazing. You may bring binoculars or a telescope if you wish. While we do not strictly limit white lights, we encourage participants to use a red light as much as possible and refrain from the use of bright flahlights or cell phones to protect our night vision as much as possible.
Please note that there are no restroom facilities at the Astronomy Field but facilities are located at Pickett State Park visitor center, about two miles from the Field.
We will go ahead with the program if partly cloudy but may cancel due to inclement weather. If canceled, updates will be posted on the park's Facebook page.
Event Document:
Essential Eligibility Criteria
Program Host: Michael Hodge
Contact Email: michael.e.hodge@TN.gov
Contact Phone: (931) 879-5821
Meeting Place: Pogue Astronomy Field