Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania is a grand cherry tree park about 182 miles (290 km) northeast of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It’s an accredited dark sky park, called “one of the best places in the eastern U.S. for stargazing” by the International Dark Sky Association. The park also celebrates an annual Cherry Springs Star Party, typically held in June. Please note that while camping is allowed, the Night Sky Public Viewing Area is intended for short-term star gazing and is not permitted for overnight stays. Otherwise, if you are a registered Overnight Astronomy Observation Field user, access to the park is available all night. For reservations, visit online or call 888-PA-PARKS, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday to Saturday.
Deborah Byrd
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About the Author:
Deborah Byrd created the EarthSky radio series in 1991 and founded EarthSky.org in 1994. Prior to that, she had worked for the University of Texas McDonald Observatory since 1976, and created and produced their Star Date radio series. Today, she serves as Editor-in-Chief of this website. She has won a galaxy of awards from the broadcasting and science communities, including having an asteroid named 3505 Byrd in her honor. In 2020, she won the Education Prize from the American Astronomical Society, the largest organization of professional astronomers in North America. A science communicator and educator since 1976, Byrd believes in science as a force for good in the world and a vital tool for the 21st century. "Being an EarthSky editor is like hosting a big global party for cool nature-lovers," she says.