Stargazing with the Astronomers

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.

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).

Our Astronomers this summer:

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).

Don West-Wilke: Our returning Tacoma Astronomical Society Astronomer of the Year. He annually records more visitor contacts than anyone in the park. One of the most knowledgeable and colorful astronomers in Washington. Sometimes called "the Singing Astronomer" (Saturdays only).

Pat Beatie: This Bellevue college astronomy teacher will be helping people connect to the night sky five nights a week (Thursdays through Mondays). He often also sets up a solar viewing scope during the day next to the JVC .