Stargazing and music set for June 21 at Oracle State Park

Jennifer Rini

Telescopes will be set up on the spacious Kannally Ranch House patio at Oracle State Park for viewing the night sky on Saturday, June 21.

Visitors will enjoy live music while viewing the planets Mars and Saturn, the asteroids Ceres and Vesta, plus star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. During the evening, the Milky Way will rise over the eastern horizon. The historic ranch house will also be open. Viewing time and band information will be posted on the park website www.azStateParks.com/Parks/ORAC or by calling the park at 520-896-2425.

In addition to star-gazing and toe-tapping, the recently formed Oracle Dark Skies Committee will be on hand to discuss its work to have Oracle State Park designated as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association.

The park, a designated center for environmental education, is open year around on Saturdays and Sundays 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on weekdays for group reservations.