Event

Hey Stargazers,
The flip side of a tropical depression is often a beautiful high-pressure dome. Carpe noctes!  Alan recently posted here to announce a pop-up Tuesday at Tanbark Overlook. Let's ride this clear-sky pattern into midweek with a pop-up further west on Wednesday. We'll be back on the Blue Ridge Parkway, this time at Cowee Mountain Overlook, which sits 5,950 feet above sea level, at milepost 430.7, just "north" of Richland Balsam. This overlook faces south and offers one of the Parkway's few unobstructed 180-degree views. It will be cold, so please dress warmly.

In Alan's words... Pop-ups are open to anyone who enjoys the night sky. You don't need gear to join in. We all share the view.

Sunset is around 7 p.m.; we'll be observing stars shortly after.  Plenty of eye candy for everyone, including a vivid Milky Way, a crescent Moon setting ~9 pm, and Saturn rising at sunset.

Get off the couch, put down your screen, come up and join us for some Natural Beauty under an amazing dark sky.

Equipment questions? We can often help troubleshoot telescopes and cameras, so bring them along if you like. 
Call or text with questions. Drop us a line if you plan to join us Wednesday at Cowee Mtn. Overlook.

Chris
828-226-9660 (my mobile)
chris@citylightsnc.com

Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026

Time: 7:00 PM - 11:59 PM Eastern

Location: Cowee Mountain Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway
milepost 430.7, Blue Ridge Parkway
Cullowhee, NC 28723

Information for Visitors
Instructions for the Public:

 

Location Details

Cowee Mountain Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway
milepost 430.7, Blue Ridge Parkway
Cullowhee, NC 28723
(open in Google Maps)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tue 10/13/2026
7:00 PM - 10:15 PM Eastern
Private Star Gaze at GMO Grassland Mtn. Observatory in Madison County
off Little Pine Road
Marshall, NC
Tue 10/13/2026
Pop-up Star Gaze at Tanbark Overlook Tanbark Ridge Overlook of the Blue Ridge Parkway
Asheville, NC
Wed 10/14/2026
7:00 PM - 11:59 PM Eastern
Pop-up Star Gaze at Cowee Mountain Overlook Cowee Mountain Overlook, Blue Ridge Parkway
milepost 430.7, Blue Ridge Parkway
Cullowhee, NC
Fri 10/30/2026
6:00 PM - 11:15 PM Eastern
Grassland Mtn. Obs. Public Star Gaze Grassland Mtn. Observatory in Madison County
off Little Pine Road
Marshall, NC