Crystal Coast Star Party

Mark your calendars for Crystal Coast Star Party 2023! Come join us on the Crystal Coast as we celebrate International Dark Sky Week. Crystal Coast Stargazers, Cape Lookout National Seashore and Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center are co-hosting this exciting event.

From starlight cruises and NASA speakers to activities for kids and the beautiful dark skies of Cape Lookout National Seashore, there’s something for everyone. 

Crystal Coast Star Party Schedule

Friday, April 21

• 4:00 Exoplanets, Acquiring Transit Light Curves
  Dr. Anthony Norris, Member of the NASA /JPL Exoplanet Watch Group

• 7:00 Starlight Cruise to Cape Lookout Lighthouse (returns to Visitor Center by 9:45)
  Island Express Ferry Service

• 7:30 Public Stargazing
  Stargazing field behind the Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center

Saturday, April 22

• 1:00 NC SciFest Statewide Star Party Activities for Kids — Celebrating the Night Sky
  State Ranger Paul Terry & Crystal Coast Stargazers

• 4:00 Cosmology — The Beginning of the Universe
  Dr. Dominic Benford, NASA Program Scientist for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope

• 7:00 Starlight Cruise to Cape Lookout Lighthouse (returns to Visitor Center by 9:45)
  Island Express Ferry Service

• 7:30 Public Stargazing
  Stargazing field behind the Cape Lookout Visitor Center

All events are free except for the starlight cruises. Starlight cruises are by reservation only. Ferry passengers will disembark at the lighthouse for a laser pointed tour of the night sky by a NASA Solar System Ambassador. Ferry will return to the VC at 9:45 PM

Cruise tickets:
Adults: $27.00
Children (3-11): $17.00

For reservations, call (252) 728-7433.

Speaker/presentations will be in the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum Education Hall (museum is adjacent to the park). SciFest kid activities will be held inside and out of the Cape Lookout National Seashore Visitor Center.

Note: Ferry cruises and stargazing is weather dependent. In the event of inclement weather, there will be astronomy programs/presentations inside.