CUMMINGTON — Night sky and nature enthusiasts can explore their passions at Arunah Hill Days over Labor Day weekend. The event features opportunities to explore the night sky, the sun and the Arunah Hill Nature Science Center.
“For experienced amateur astronomers, it’s a chance to catch up with old friends, hear some good talks and view the wonders of the night sky. Late summer is a great time to see the Milky Way,” said Ed Faits, one of the event’s organizers. “For beginners of all ages, Arunah Hill Days is a great opportunity to learn about the night sky and telescopes and have some fun in the process.”
Throughout the weekend, large telescopes will be available to view the planets and stars of the night sky, such as Saturn, Jupiter, star clusters and galaxies. During the day, solar telescopes, with special filters, will be used to observe sunspots and solar prominences.
On Saturday afternoon, families can enjoy guided nature walks and rocket building and launching. The rocket building will be free while supplies last.
Experienced amateur astronomers will also give constellation orientation talks each night. On Friday, three speakers will offer insights into the night sky. Bill Lee will present “Stars: Their Life and Death,” an explanation of the evolution of stars. Kaitlyn Goulette will feature “Green Laser Tour of the Universe,” a planetarium show under the sky. Award-winning local photographer John Nardacchi, Jr. will present his latest works, “Owls, Waterfalls and the Milky Way.”
Saturday evening brings Bob Donahue, Ph.D. with “Observing with Smart Telescopes” and Marsha Wilcox, Ed.D. and Sc. D. with “Ancient Light — The Glory of the Heavens: Fine Art Photography of the Wonders of the Night Sky.”
“This year we have a terrific lineup of twilight talk speakers, with something that will appeal to everyone,” said Faits, who praised each of the speakers as wonderful and knowledgeable.
Arunah Hill began back in 1989 after several local astronomers started to lose some of their favorite observation sites to construction and light pollution.
“One of the quieter amateurs named Joe Zuraw mentioned that he had a 100-acre woodlot in Cummington that was pretty dark that we could come to visit. It took us months to take him up on his offer,” recalled Faits. “Once we visited the site we were blown away by how nice the night sky was from his property. Joe soon donated four acres of his land at the top of the hill, and we formed the nonprofit Arunah Hill to provide a dark sky refuge for amateur astronomers.”
In 1993, after clearing a section and adding telescopes and a warming hut, the group decided to celebrate with a weekend star party and Arunah Hill Days was born.
“If we get clear skies, the wonder of it all. The universe in all its glory, away from streetlights and the glare of urban life and suburbia,” praised Faits. “Saturn, and later Jupiter, will be visible along with galaxies, star clusters, nebula and stray meteors. We may even catch a Northern Lights display this year — the sun has been very active. There is even a slight chance that the recurring Nova “T CBR” will explode for the first time in 80 years. Even without a telescope, you’ll be able to see the Milky Way and some satellites flying 300 miles overhead.”
Arunah Hill Natural Science Center is located at 218 Trouble St. in Cummington and the family-friendly event will run from 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 30 to noon on Sunday, Sept. 1. Parking is $10 for the entire weekend. Organizers would like to remind attendees that the site is remote. There will be portable toilets but no running water and the ground can be uneven.
