Come join us for our fourth annual Crystal Coast Star Party! We will be having Starlight Cruises with guided night sky tours by Cape Lookout National Seashore Park Rangers and NASA Solar System Ambassadors, a guest speaker from NASA and activities for the kids!
Schedule of Events:
Friday, April 25
7:30 PM Starlight Cruise to Cape Lookout Lighthouse
Departs from Island Express Ferry Dock at Cape Lookout Visitor Center (call for reservations 252-728-7433, Cost $31/Adults, $20/Children);
Park Ranger Sabrina Godin conducting laser tour of the night sky on the beach near the lighthouse.
NOTICE: The cruises are fully booked and the wait list has been closed.
8:30 PM Public Stargazing
Stargazing field around the Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center;
Crystal Coast Stargazers’ telescopes set up for public stargazing with NASA Solar System Ambassadors on site. Large area behind the Visitor Center for astronomers to set up their telescopes. Area set aside for astrophotographers.
Saturday, April 26
1:00-3:00 PM NC SciFest Kids’ Astronomy Activities
Core Sound Waterfowl Museum Education Hall – Activities for all ages including Junior Ranger activities with Cape Lookout Ranger Sabrina Godin.
1:00 – 3:00 Solar viewing with NASA Solar System Ambassador Jimmy Fulks
Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center;
4:00 – 5:30 PM – NASA Speaker: Nagin Cox, Mission Lead on the Mars Perseverance Rover and the Curiosity Rover
Dare Mighty Things: Mars Rovers Paving the Way
Core Sound Waterfowl Museum Education Hall;
7:30 PM Starlight Cruise to Cape Lookout Lighthouse
Departs from Island Express Ferry Dock at Cape Lookout Visitor Center (call for reservations 252-728-7433, Cost $31/Adults, $20/Children);
Park Ranger Sabrina Godin conducting laser tour of the night sky on the beach near the lighthouse.
NOTICE: The cruises are fully booked and the wait list has been closed.
8:30 PM Public Stargazing
Stargazing field around the Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center;
Crystal Coast Stargazers’ telescopes set up for public stargazing with NASA Solar System Ambassadors on site. Large area behind the Visitor Center for astronomers to set up their telescopes. Area set aside for astrophotographers.
We would like to ask all guest pre-register at the link provided so we can get a more accurate headcount this year.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CrystalCoastStarParty2025
All events are free except for the starlight cruises. Speaker/presentations/kids activities will be in the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum Education Hall (museum is adjacent to the park). Solar viewing will be held outside of the Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center.
Starlight cruises are by reservation only. Ferry passengers will disembark for a laser pointed tour of the night sky by a Cape Lookout National Seashore Park Ranger.
For reservations call—252-728-7433
Note: Ferry cruises and stargazing are weather dependent. In the event of inclement weather, there will be astronomy programs/presentations inside.
Hosts: Cape Lookout National Seashore and Crystal Coast Stargazers, and Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center
Sponsors: The Crystal Coast Tourism Authority, Island Express Ferry and Carteret County Chamber of Commerce
You may also like the following events from Crystal Coast Stargazers:
Also check out other
Kids events & activities in Harkers Island,
Parties in Harkers Island,
Entertainment events in Harkers Island.
