Cumberland Falls home to new astronomy center

In an ongoing mission to become “the people’s park,” along with fostering an appreciation for the night sky, Cumberland Falls State Resort Park is now home to the Moonbow Astronomy Center – a place where amateur astronomers will get to learn more about the universe, while surrounded by the scenic beauty of Kentucky’s most visited state park.

The first ever “star party” for the Moonbow Astronomy Center was hosted Saturday at DuPont Lodge. About 75 people attended the event, including some students from Whitley County Middle School.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park Manager Lisa Davis said the park received $5,700 to start the Moonbow Astronomy Center from Tour SEKY – a non-profit organization based in Somerset designed to help increase interest in southeastern Kentucky as a tourist destination.

“We had the idea for this and wanted to do it, but our operational budget would never permit the purchase of the equipment to get us started,” Davis said. “Hearing our plight was Tour SEKY. They called and said you want telescopes, we understand, so here’s some money, go buy them.”

With the money, the park purchased three telescopes, a video projector, 10 pairs of high-powered binoculars and software that allows amateur astronomers to get virtual views of the night sky from any location on earth.

Davis said the intention is to form an astronomy club based at the park. Already, a dozen “star parties” have been scheduled for 2009, one for each month of the year.

Fourteen members of the Louisville Astronomical Society made the three and a half hour trek to the park to help would-be stargazers get a glimpse of the possibilities the new club holds.

LAS President Ken Alderson said his organization was honored to be a part of the opening of the Moonbow Astronomy Center.

“These things are just instruments unless you look through them and find the same thrill we do,” he said. “We live for a young person getting their first view of Saturn or their first view of Jupiter and going ‘oooh’ and ‘ahhh.’ Those are two words we love. It makes it all worth it.”

After an introductory meeting, those in attendance got to get close up views of binary stars, the moon, Jupiter and other celestial bodies through telescopes set up on the main patio of the lodge and at the nearby public pool.

Davis said the park is initially partnering with students from Whitley County Middle School who planned on starting an astronomy club anyway. She said the park will rely on community volunteers to host each of the star parties at the park.

“My goal, from the time I became park manager, is to connect the park with the community and to enhance the quality of life and entertainment for people,” Davis said. “We want to make people aware of what an asset this park is to have in their own backyard. That’s our continuing goal, to be the people’s park and do everything we can with our talent and financial abilities to broaden our programs.”

Anyone interested in becoming a member of the Moonbow Astronomy Center is encouraged to call the park at 606-528-4121 or toll free at 800-325-0063.