Astronomy Programs At Big South Fork Saturday, October 1

Oneida, TN (2011-09-23) Paul Lewis from the University of Tennessee and the Big South Fork astronomy volunteers will be at Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area on Saturday, October 1, 2011, for two special programs.

A telescope with a sun filter will be positioned in front of the Bandy Creek Visitor Center from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to allow for solar viewing. Using special telescope filters allows us to safely view the sun without damaging our eyes. The sun should never be viewed without proper sun filters or permanent damage to the eyes may occur.

The cooler nights and clear skies of autumn make it a perfect time to observe the stars, planets, and deep space objects. On Saturday night at 8:30 p.m., Paul Lewis will describe which objects to look for in the night sky of October. This program will be held in the Bandy Creek Visitor Center parking lot across from the Visitor Center. Telescopes will be available for night sky observation after the presentation. You may want to bring a blanket or chair with you for comfortable seating. These programs are free and all are invited to attend.

In the event of rain or inclement weather, the evening program will be moved indoors to the building next to the Bandy Creek Visitor Center, and night sky observation with the telescopes will be cancelled. For additional information or questions, please call the Bandy Creek Visitor Center at (423) 286-7275.

For additional information about Big South Fork, call (423) 286-7275, or visit the Big South Fork website at www.nps.gov/biso.