Dark Sky Party

The Herrett Center and Magic Valley Astronomical Society will team up again for their two annual ‘dark sky’ star parties on July 21 and Aug. 17. The events are held each year in two of southern Idaho’s most accessible areas where people can enjoy sky views that are not washed out by city light.

The sixth annual Pomerelle Mountain star party will begin at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 21. Pomerelle ski resort is reached by following the signs south of Albion on Idaho Highway 77. The event will begin with water bottle rocket building and launching and solar viewing at the ski lodge. At 5:30, visitors are welcome to have picnic lunch or dinner at the lodge. A night sky talk will be at 7:30 followed by rides on the ski lift to the mountain top where the dark sky viewing will begin at dark. The event is free of charge but there is a nominal charge to everyone riding the ski lift.

The fifth annual City of Rocks star party will start at 2 p.m. Friday, Aug. 17 with solar viewing at the Smoky Mountain Campground at Castle Rocks State Park. This park is located about one mile southwest of the town of Almo. Visitors are encouraged to camp overnight at the campground. State park fees apply. Nighttime sky viewing will begin at 9 p.m. and run until midnight.

For more information about these events, please call the Herrett Center at 732-6655 or visit the website at www.csi.edu/herrett.