As the summer winds down, we won’t blame you if you try to hold on a little longer to the hot days and cool nights still left in August and September. One of our favorite ways to enjoy what’s left of the warm months is by spreading a blanket out to enjoy the stars right here in Washington County.
Luckily for Washington County residents and visitors, stargazing locations are plentiful in the area. Check below for both our favorite places to check out the stars and a look at what’s happening in the sky above our county in the next few weeks.
What’s Visible in the Sky Now in Western Pennsylvania:
Perseid Meteor Shower: NASA says the Perseid meteor shower, visible this month through early September, is one of the best of the entire year. Debris from the Swift-Tuttle comet will allow you to see up to 100 meteors per hour if the night is clear enough. If you miss this meteor shower, don’t worry – another is on its way. The Orionids will arrive in early September and will hit their peak in mid-October.
Planets: In these last few days of August, you’ll be able to see Venus bright on the horizon in the west. In fact, Venus will be so bright and close you’ll be able to see it well with the naked eye and better with a telescope or binoculars. Once September rolls around, you’ll be able to see Mars, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus rather well in addition to Venus.
Constellations: Sorry, Virgo, we know it’s your season, but between now and September the constellations Sagittarius and Scorpius will be most visible in the Western PA skies. Look for the “Teapot” asterism in Sagittarius, a set of stars that looks like a teapot, to help you identify the larger constellation.
Stars: Vega is September’s brightest star. Don’t forget to look for Arcturus in the west, either.
T Coronae Borealis, or The Blaze Star: At some point within the next month or so, we'll get to witness the appearance of T Coronae Borealis, or the Blaze Star. This phenomenon was first seen in 1866 and isn't your normal star - instead, it's a giant red star and white dwarf that orbit each other. The Blaze Star is a recurrent nova star that usually blazes brightly every 80 years, but astronomers are predicting this nova might come 2 years early. You'll have to be quick, though: this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon is only visible for a few days.
Tip: Look for the Blaze Star right below the Big Dipper and to the right of Vega.
If you're looking for a great place to view the night sky, these are our favorite spots:
Mingo Creek County Park
Back to Top of ListLocated in Eighty Four, Mingo Creek County Park offers visitors more than 2,600 acres of park land that features two covered bridges, new playgrounds, picnic shelters and a three-mile paved trail for biking/walking. In addition, it also offers plenty of open space to lay beneath the stars — with or without your telescope.
In addition to the spacious open fields, Mingo Creek County Park is home to Mingo Creek Park Observatory — a 20-foot planetarium with large telescopes and community events called “public star party nights.”
Star Parties happen 10-weekends per year between April to November and are free for the community to attend. These events are organized by the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh.
Cross Creek County Park
Back to Top of ListLocated in Avella, Cross Creek County Park is Washington County's largest, sitting at around 250 acres of natural Pennsylvania beauty. With a hiking trail, playgrounds, children's bicycle park and fishing opportunities aplenty, it's no wonder Cross Creek is a hot spot for nature lovers. Stargazers can enjoy watching the moon, planets and stars reflect off the tranquil waters of this picturesque lake all night long.
Peters Lake Park
Back to Top of ListOriginally a clean drinking water reservoir purchased in 1931, this now 189 acres of minimally-developed land is home to a forest of pine and other native trees that line the lake. A popular daytime spot for walkers, fishing enthusiasts, boaters and wildlife lovers, at night Peters Lake Park becomes heaven for stargazers due to a lack of streetlamps or other light that can dim your view.
The lake has many spots for stargazing, such as both a grassy and concrete dam, a scenic bridge and a boat launch area perfect for laying down a blanket or opening up the moonroof in your car to enjoy the night sky.
