A constellation of good views on this Sky Tour

Come see Venus, Saturn, the Big Dipper, Leo and Gemini tomorrow night when the Chester County Astronomical Society hosts a Sky Tour in Anson B. Nixon Park in Kennett Square.

The tour will begin at 8 on the athletic field off Walnut Road, last two to three hours, and include an orientation and a "walk around" the night sky.

Members of the Astronomical Society will help people identify stars and constellations with a green laser light that "connects the dots" and will share their expertise, binoculars and telescopes.

Don Knabb of the Astronomical Society said he expected six members to bring their telescopes, including an 8-inch computerized telescope that finds celestial objects automatically.

"There's nothing better than showing someone the rings of Saturn through a telescope for the first time," said Knabb, a member of the society for two years.

Also, a longtime enthusiast and one of the founders of the Astronomical Society, Ed Lurcott, will come equipped with his 20-inch reflector telescope, which observers will have to use a stepladder to see through.

Lurcott helped form the organization in 1993 with others who were interested in astronomy and who wanted to promote that interest among the public. The group hosts Sky Tours, or Star Parties, for various organizations, including schools and civic groups.

The Sky Tour is free and open to the public. Observers are encouraged to bring flashlights and wear jackets for comfort.

"It's a way to get people out to the park at different times of the day and the year," said Pete Kennedy of the Kennett Parc Committee, which organizes park events.

The 106-acre Anson B. Nixon Park hosts numerous events, including an Easter egg hunt, the Kennett Run, the Family Fun Fest and Halloween Hayrides.

This year, the Parc Committee also plans a theatrical performance Aug. 4 and an eight-week concert series Wednesday nights starting June 20.

Where: Anson B. Nixon Park is on North Walnut Street off State Street in Kennett Square.

When: The Sky Tour is to begin at 8 p.m. tomorrow on the athletic field off Walnut Road.

Weather: If it's cloudy or raining, the event will be rescheduled.

For more information: Call 610-444-4479 or see the park Web site at ansonbnixonpark.org.

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