Families and individuals of all ages are invited to the Paradise area of Mount Rainier National Park for a special “star viewing party” on Saturday Sept. 20.

The event starts at 9:30 PM in the plaza in front of the Jackson Visitor Center at Paradise. If the sky remains clear, the event will last until at least 11:30 PM.  The outdoor star gazing will be led by the 2014 Mount Rainier Astro-Volunteer team. These volunteers donate the use of their personal telescopes for the public and educate about the night skies.

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.

If weather makes star gazing difficult, the party will move inside to the lobby of the Paradise Inn for a “Meet the Astronomers” question and answer session. Materials to make a special “Star-Finder” device will also be available at no charge.

This event is free and open to all.  The entry fee to the park is $15 per private vehicle. If you have questions, please contact Park Ranger Curt Jacquot at (360) 569-6577.

Information about the National Park Service Natural Lightscapes program is available at:

http://www.nature.nps.gov/air/lightscapes/

General park information is available at www.nps.gov/mora or by calling 360-569-2211.