Forgo the movies. Save a stage play for another day. Only one show consistently promises not to disappoint: the nighttime sky, especially during the Northern Lights. Stargazers flock to Cherry Springs State Park, the darkest spot on the Eastern Seaboard, all year around. But, it’s also the ideal place to view the breathtaking Northern Lights in Pennsylvania.
Perched atop a 2,500 foot mountain and flanked by undeveloped forest land, Cherry Springs State Park promises an experience free of light pollution.
Flickr/Jon Wood
Both novice and professional astronomers flock to Cherry Springs State Park for its dark skies. The park offers two viewing areas.
Facebook/Cherry Springs State Park
The Nighttime Viewing Area caters to stargazers who simply want to spend a few hours observing the evening sky. Plenty of seating is available.
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Serious astronomers are welcome to stay overnight at the Astronomy Observation Field, which features limited Wifi, electricity, and concrete telescope pads. Only red lights are permitted in the field.
Facebook/Cherry Springs Star Party Those astronomers who want to stay at the Astronomy Observation Field must register and pay a fee. An annual Galaxy Pass is also available.
Fulfill the dream of many when you view Aurora Borealis (the Northern Lights), which NASA describes as “a space weather phenomenon that occurs when electrically-charged electrons and protons collide with neutral atoms in the upper atmosphere.”
YouTube/Gary Honis
The best time to view the Northern Lights, which are often difficult to predict, is from September through March. Parts of Pennsylvania may be able to view the Northern Lights on July 16 and 17, 2017.
YouTube/Gary Honis Click here to keep track of the forecast for the Northern Lights.
Click below to view Gary Honis’ spellingbinding video, Aurora and Milky Way at Cherry Springs State Park, from You Tube.
Flickr/Jon Wood
Facebook/Cherry Springs State Park
Flickr/Nicholas A. Tonelli
Facebook/Cherry Springs Star Party
Those astronomers who want to stay at the Astronomy Observation Field must register and pay a fee. An annual Galaxy Pass is also available.
YouTube/Gary Honis
Click here to keep track of the forecast for the Northern Lights.
Watch more of Aurora Borealis at Cherry Springs State Park, shot by Gary Honis.
Address:
Cherry Springs State Park 4639 Cherry Springs Road Coudersport, PA 16915 814-435-1037 Click here for more information.
While Cherry Springs State Park promises a spectacular view of the Northern Lights in Pennsylvania, here are seven more spots that are perfect for an evening of stargazing.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
