Not a public event. This event is for Sierra Club, Eastern Missouri Group only

Good morning. With the heavy rain, there has been heavy flooding and Castlewood Park is affected. The event Castlewood under the stars has been canceled. We will reschedule to Friday, November 22

We'll start with some brief intros from State Parks, Dark Skies, St. Louis Astronomical Society and SC, go look at Saturn, the moon and stars and then come back together and talk about the importance of dark skies. No slide presentation. After that, we'll look out into the skies for interesting sites. I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Castlewood Under the Stars

Friday, November 8 at 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

This is a VERY SPECIAL event! We will be doing stargazing with telescopes provided by the St. Louis Astronomical Society. You are welcome to bring your own telescope. There will be a presentation by the Dark Sky Society discussing the importance of dark skies and its impact on our environment. Castlewood State Park is working to become a Dark Sky designated area. We will have hot chocolate and coffee. Please bring a snack to share.

We will meet at the parking lot near Shelter 1. The gates will open at 7:00 pm and will close promptly at 7:30. Participants can leave anytime. The maximum is 30 people. All participants must sign a waiver. A one dollar per person Sierra Club donation is requested. Dollar bills would be appreciated. Guns are prohibited. Please register at: https://www.sierraclub.org/missouri/eastern-missouri/outings

Families are welcome. This is a dog friendly outing. Leashed and well-behaved dogs are welcome.

The weather may be cold, so dress appropriately.

Restrooms are available.

Directions from I-270 and MO-141. Drive north on MO-141 for 1.7 miles.  Turn left (west) on Big Bend – 2.4 miles.  Turn left (south) on Ries Road.    In 1.1 miles at the T, turn left to enter Castlewood State Park.  Continue to Shelter 1 on the left.  Coordinates:   38.550873, -90.539575

Good morning. With the heavy rain, there has been heavy flooding and Castlewood Park is affected. The event Castlewood under the stars has been canceled. Can we reschedule to Friday, November 22?

Take Care,

Dave Campbell

On Tue, Oct 29, 2024 at 2:32 PM David Campbell <davecampbell9009@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi, 

I just talked with Don. We discussed the schedule. We'll start with some brief intros from State Parks, Dark Skies, St. Louis Astronomical Society and SC, go look at Saturn, the moon and stars and then come back together and talk about the importance of dark skies. No slide presentation. After that, we'll look out into the skies for interesting sites. I look forward to seeing everyone there. 

Date changed from Nov 1 to Nov 8 due to Park availability

Castlewood State Park is applying to be an Urban Night Sky Place and part of the requirements are that they must do outreach.  The Sierra Clubs outing group is willing to do a night hike but they would like to team-up with the Astronomical Society so people could also look at stars.  And of course, we would talk about light pollution.  

Dave Campbell

Sierra Club, Eastern Missouri Group

Outings Co-Chair

217-553-9009

1. Which days of the week are you interested in? Weekend would be good. Just weekend dates? I'm open to that, but I am trying to broaden the appeal to people who have to work during the week.  Friday Nov 1st

2. Would you have a backup date in case weather is too severe? Yes, but let's set a date first and then set a backup date.

3. How many people would you expect to want to look through telescopes? I would like to set the capacity at 15-20 people. I think everyone would like to look through the telescopes.

4. Do you have a spot inside park for viewing? Shelter 1, the first shelter you come to. There is a large parking lot and open field next to this shelter.

5. Besides telescope viewing do you need any other support or speakers?   A speaker talking about the importance of Dark Skies, light pollution and its effects on people and the environment, point out things people can do at their house, neighborhood and city to help mitigate light pollution.

Coordinates = +38.550865, -90.539561