It’s not often that you get the opportunity to start a blog post with a quote from one of the greatest scientists ever. But this time I can, so here goes.
Albert Einstein famously said, “The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer pause to wonder and stand rapt in awe, is as good as dead: his eyes are closed.”
And a perfect way to follow the groundbreaking scientist’s advice is to simply step outside at night and look up.
That’s right, stargaze. And the North Carolina Science Festival’s Statewide Star Party is the perfect place to do it.
“The North Carolina Science Festival schedules more than 400 events statewide, including dozens of Star Parties, and the events are designed to not only expose participants to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) but also to allow folks to experience a little bit of wow,” said Erik MacIntosh, Community Engagement Manager at Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, which organizes the NC Science Festival.
“Looking up at the stars gives you a sense of peace, of wonder, of feeling small while at the same time feeling that you’re part of something so big that you can’t believe it,” said David Heflin, president of the Crystal Coast Stargazers, which is hosting a Star Party at Cape Lookout National Seashore.
“I like stargazing because in addition to the absolute stunning beauty of the night sky, there’s also the thought that somewhere else in the world, someone else may also be observing/studying the same object,” adds Vermadel Nienstedt, the group’s outreach coordinator.
Stargazing is simple and accessible for almost everyone, everywhere. Even with extensive light pollution leaving few super dark and clear views of the night sky, the planets and the brightest stars are still visible. And because the positions of the planets change over time, the sky is constantly changing.
Taking up a new hobby can be expensive, and when you think about stargazing, step one often involves buying a telescope. But the planets and the brightest stars can be seen without any fancy equipment.
Astronomy clubs advise to use a sky map to find your way around the constellations. There are several good phone apps that are free.
There are also tactile maps that allow the visually impaired to explore the heavens.
This company won the 2018 Brisbane NASA space app challenge.
Amateur astronomers also say if you want to see more than the planets and the brightest stars, use binoculars. They are a better tool for beginners than a telescope because they are easier to aim and show more of the sky in one view.
There are many Star Parties planned statewide April 21–22 as part of the North Carolina Science Festival. Those dates also overlap with International Dark Sky Week (April 15–22), which helps raise awareness of light pollution and the need to protect the night skies for wildlife and people.
All NC Science Festival Star Parties are free and are held at a variety of locations, including schools, parks, libraries and community colleges around North Carolina.
Here’s a list of all the Star Party locations. Pick a site near you and prepare to look up!
The Statewide Star Party is made possible with the support of NC Space Grant and the NC Science Festival.
