L.L. Stub Stewart and Rooster Rock state parks will celebrate the beginning of autumn with free star-gazing parties starting at sunset Saturday, Sept. 23.
The parks are partnering with OMSI and Rose City Astronomers to host the events, which include a presentation at dusk and star gazing 9 to 11 p.m. Telescopes will be provided by volunteers and visitors are welcome to bring their own. Viewing highlights include stars, Jupiter, Saturn and more, weather permitting.
The event is free, but parking in the day-use area does require a $5 parking permit fee per vehicle. The star party at L.L. Stub Stewart also requires a free Stargazing permit, which is available at the park.
Visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs, blankets, warm clothing, snacks and water. Bug repellent is always a good idea. Please use red flashlights to avoid interfering with the dark sky viewing. You can also cover your flashlight or smartphone with red electrical tape.
Star maps will be provided along with recommended astronomy apps that visitors can load on their phones if interested.
Visitors should arrive early to familiarize themselves with the area and only park in designated spaces for the event. Overnight camping is not permitted in day-use areas, though visitors can find campground reservations by visiting stateparks.oregon.gov. Guests are expected to exit Rooster Rock by 11 p.m. as the park will close at that time.
On the scheduled day for OMSI Star Parties, interested visitors should check back on the OMSI website for possible weather-related cancellations and any additional information. The long-range forecast looks like it offers great viewing opportunities for this event.
