What's so amazing that keeps us stargazing? You can find out! The Park is now planning sky viewing (weather permitting) every night through Labor Day outside Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise. We will start just after dark and continue for at least two hours. We will update our hotline recording at 360-569-6230 to provide information on what we will be viewing and to announce cancellations. Please join us in observing the wonders in the preserved wilderness night sky above the park.
Our stellar cast of volunteer astronomers includes:
Pat Beatie (Friday through Tuesday nights): Bellevue College Astronomy Professor and retired FBI agent.
Don West-Wilke (Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday nights): Recent Astronomer of the Year with Tacoma Astronomical Society. Also known as the Singing Astronomer.
Tom and Gracie Pauly (Thursday nights): Retired teachers and owner/operators of the non-profit Starryhill Planetarium and Observatory in Eatonville.
Matt Dieterich (Thursday through Monday nights): Geo-Corps astronomy intern recently graduated with a MS from the University of Pittsburg.
Additionally, our astronomers will also set up a solar scope outside the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise during some afternoons.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
Stargazing with the Astronomers
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
Star-Gazing at JVC 2014
Join our stellar cast of volunteer astronomers outside the Paradise Jackson Visitor Center Thursday through Monday nights this summer. There will be telescopes available and knowledgeable guides to help you enjoy the wilderness of the night sky. Star-gazing will take place just after dark through at least midnight (weather permitting, subject to cancellation).
Tom and Gracie Pauly of the Starryhill planetarium (starryhill.org): Yes, they have their own planetarium and observatory! These retired teachers are top notch at helping people connect to the wonder of the night sky (Thursdays only).
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Star Party and Night Skies Program at Paradise
Mount Rainier National Park News Release
August 2, 2011
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Curt Jacquot, 360-569-6577, email: curt_jacquot@nps.gov
Star Party and Night Skies Program at Paradise: 9:00 PM, Friday August 5, 2011
Families and individuals of all ages are invited to the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park for a special program on Friday, August 5. The event starts at 9:00 PM in the lobby of the Paradise Inn with a short presentation about the National Park Service “Night Skies” program. The National Park Service has come to embrace night skies as one of the many scenic vistas the agency is a steward of. It is essential to keeping a park whole and touches on almost every aspect that is important to us - from sustainability to stargazers, and animals to ancient ruins.
At 9:45 PM there will be outdoor star gazing in front of the Paradise Jackson Visitor Center with Tacoma Astronomical Society (TAS) volunteers and their telescopes. Astronomy Society volunteers will also assist with special children's astronomy activities. All ages will be able to make astronomy devices called "star finders."
If weather makes star gazing difficult, the party will move inside the Paradise Inn lobby for a 45-minute film about the Milky Way galaxy.
Night Sky viewing at the park through Labor Day Visitors are also invited to join Mount Rainier volunteer astronomer-interpreter Don West-Wilke for night sky viewing Thursdays through Sundays through Labor Day. Don and his unique telescope will help visitors see the night sky (weather permitting) beginning at 10 PM at the following park locations:
Thursdays: Longmire Plaza in front of the National Park Inn
Fridays: Plaza in front of the Paradise Jackson Visitor Center
Saturdays: Plaza in front of the Paradise Jackson Visitor Center
Sundays: Backbone Ridge pull-out along Steven's Canyon Road
Mondays: Plaza in front of the Paradise Jackson Visitor Center
If you have questions please contact Park Ranger Curt Jacquot at (360) 569-2211, extension 6577. Information about the Tacoma Astronomy Society is found online at: http://www.tas-online.org/
General park information is available at www.nps.gov/mora or by calling 360-569-2211.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Volunteers Leading the Star Party and Night Skies Program
Ever wanted to learn more about the stars that blanket our night sky? Volunteers from the Tacoma Astronomy Society will be hosting a Star Party and Night Skies Program this Friday, July 22nd!
Read the official NPS press release listed below for more information.
Star Party and Night Skies Program
Where: Paradise
When: 9:00 PM, Friday July 22, 2011
Families and individuals of all ages are invited to the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park for a special program on Friday, July 22.. The event starts at 9:00 PM in the lobby of the Paradise Inn with a short presentation about the National Park Service “Night Skies” program. The National Park Service has come to embrace night skies as one of the many scenic vistas the agency is a steward of. It is essential to keeping a park whole and touches on almost every aspect that is important to us - from sustainability to stargazers, and animals to ancient ruins.
At 9:45 PM there will be outdoor star gazing in front of the Paradise Jackson Visitor Center with Tacoma Astronomical Society (TAS) volunteers and their telescopes. Astronomy Society volunteers will also assist with special children's astronomy activities. All ages will be able to make astronomy devices called "star finders."
If weather makes star gazing difficult, the party will move inside the Paradise Inn lobby for star finder making and a 45-minute film about the Milky Way galaxy.
If you have questions please contact Park Ranger Curt Jacquot at (360) 569-2211, extension 6577.
Information about the Tacoma Astronomy Society is found online at: http://www.tas-online.org/
