NAGS HEAD, N.C. – North Carolina Land of Water will be hosting a STAR party that allows residents to learn about the universe around them!
ECU Integrated Coastal Programs and the Coastal Studies Institute (CSI) have partnered with NCLOW to host the Star Party.
So what exactly is a STAR Party? It’s an event that features interactive planetarium showings led by astronomer Brian Baker. There will be activities for the kids, stargazing, telescopes, and opportunities to explore the portable, indoor planetarium.
The event will be for the general public on February 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head located at at 7223 South Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head, North Carolina 27959.
“The Star Party is during a new moon, which is the optimal time to observe the night sky,” Baker said. “You’ll see the stars as you’ve never seen them before. Folks can use our telescopes or even bring their own to receive guidance on how to use them, which can sometimes be intimidating.”
Brian Baker studied astrophysics at Florida State University and has been teaching people of all ages about the wonders of the night sky for 11 years. He is now the astronomy and space science director at A Time for Science, located in Greenville, North Carolina.
The group does travels for outreach events within their area, but the Star Party is a rare treat for the Dare County public.
This free event is an excellent opportunity for the public to engage with the nocturnal environment with expert guidance and observational resources.
The event also compliments the research collaboration between A Time for Science and NCLOW in which CSI researchers and community members have been making field observations to help map and characterize the landscape, soundscape, and viewscape of the nocturnal environment across Tyrell, Washington, and mainland Hyde and Dare counties.
