Bays Mountain Park announces annual StarWatch program

Bays Mountain Park’s night sky observing sessions – StarWatch – has returned for the fall season.

StarWatch sessions allow the public to enjoy the splendor of the night sky at Bays Mountain Park’s observatories. If the weather is good, attendees can typically see star clusters, nebulous gas clouds, colorful multiple-star systems, distant galaxies and the Moon and planets (when visible).

If the weather is poor, the park will have an alternate activity in the planetarium theater.

StarWatch sessions will be held on the following dates:

• October 4 and 11 at 7:30 p.m.
• October 18, 25 and November 1 at 7 p.m.
• November 8, 22 and 29 at 6 p.m.

Note – please arrive at the beginning of the program so you can find your way to the observatories.

Be sure to dress for temperatures at least 20 degrees cooler than expected and do not use white light flashlights at the observing grounds. This is a free event and does not require registration.

In addition, Bays Mountain Park will be a host site for the Tennessee STEAM Festival, which runs Oct. 10-26. The festival – founded by the Discovery Center in 2017 – aims to promote science, technology, engineering, art and math through programs and activities in our nation’s museums, schools, community centers and other attractions.

Special Note – Due to a planned water maintenance project, the water will be turned off at the park during StarFest. Several portable toilets and hand washing stations will be available around the parking areas.

StarWatch is hosted by the Bays Mountain Astronomy Club and Bays Mountain Planetarium.