Saturday, July 5, marks the date of the fourth of six scheduled astronomy programs at Hobbs State Park for 2008. The 8:30 p.m. program will take place at the park's Hidden Diversity, Multi-Use Trail parking lot on Townsend Ridge Road.

The Sugar Creek Astronomical Society will present the program and provide several high-powered tlescopes for the event. According to Jack McDaniels, president of the Sugar Creek group, July offers plenty to see in the night sky. McDaniels said, "This is the weekend for fireworks, and we will have some celestial "fireworks" of our own to see! We should see Mars setting in the West with Saturn trailing. Views of Saturn should show her magnificent rings, and we should see several of her moons, including Titan. Meanwhile, the giant planet Jupiter is rising in the East and should be visible as the evening "star." This is the season for wonderful globular clusters of hundreds and even thousands of tightly packed stars, and we will have a number of them to view."

It is the goal of the Sugar Creek Astronomical Society to get beginning night viewers excited about what is in the heavens. Individuals are encouraged to bring their own telescopes. Astronomical Society members will answer questions regarding night viewing equipment. Binoculars are also excellent for amateur night sky viewing.

The program is designed for beginning astronomers. Children/scout groups, adults, and families are all welcome.

What to Bring:

*Appropriate clothing

*Flashlight (with red material or a red balloon affixed over the globe."

*Folding chair - one per person

*Star Chart

*Your enthusiasm

A restroom and water fountains are on site.

Free, guided trail tours are available both Saturday and Sunday.

Shaddox Hollow Trail: One tour at 9 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

Van Winkle Hollow Trail: Tours at 8, 10, noon, and 2 both days.