Lakewood Playground Star Party

About this event

The moon will be the featured astronomical object. When we are lucky enough to have the occasional planet available we will also train our telescopes there. This is a park in the middle of a metropolitan area so there is a lot of light pollution and nearby street lights. Because of light from the city, fainter objects are more challenging.

The moon is a great object to see and when viewed through a pair of binoculars or telescope provides an incredible site. Because we get to see the day/night (terminus) slowly move across the surface of the moon this highlights features like crates and mountains on the moon. No, unfortunately we can not see the Apollo landing sites.

Check out this NASA page for the current view of the moon: https://science.nasa.gov/moon/daily-moon-guide/

The park is located between S. Angeline St. and S. Ferdinand St. on 50th Ave. S. The event starts at dusk and goes until the park closes at 11pm.

This event is for the general public, especially children. It is recommended everyone should dress warm or in layers, even in the summer. Everyone is encouraged to bring their own telescope or binoculars if you have them. Bring a camping or lawn chair, and maybe a blanket. Lay out on the grass and look up at the night sky. No white light flashlights at the event, we encourage red light flashlights. Red cellophane and rubber bands will be available to convert a flashlight to red.

Parking is limited to the side streets adjacent to the park. On the plus side, bus route 50 passes by the park on 50th Ave S with buses traveling in both North and South directions. From the South the 50 intersects Link Light Rail at Othello station and from the North the 50 intersects Link Light Rail at Columbia City station. The 50 terminates in West Seattle for individuals who may want to travel by bus from there.

Astronomers might want to consider that due to difficulties in finding parking, you might want to limit the size of the telescope you bring. Also we expect lots of families with children so you should also think in terms of simple, closer to the ground, user friendly equipment that can be used to sight and focus by guests where possible.

The star party host is long time SAS member, Randy Johnson.

Coordinates: 47.558768, -122.270156