Cumberland Falls State Resort Park will celebrate its newly expanded astronomy program with a “Star Party” scheduled for Saturday March 28, 2009. 

With the purchase of three high-powered telescopes, astronomy binoculars, and stargazing software made possible by a state/federal grant, the program has started with great success.

The next Winter Star Party is set for March 28 at 7:00 p.m.  Participants will meet in the Moonbow Room inside the DuPont Lodge.   Star Party participants will learn to read a sky map, view the moon, planets, and other objects in the sky.  In case of inclement weather, participants will utilize computer software to simulate what would be seen on a clear night.  Star Parties are free of charge.

For more information, contact Steve Gilbert at 800-325-0063.

Cumberland Falls, known as the “Niagara of the South,” is a 125-foot wide curtain of water dramatic either day or night. But it’s only at night during a full moon that you can see the moonbow, a phenomenon not found anywhere else in the Western Hemisphere.

Cumberland Falls State Resort Park offers lodge and cottage accommodations as well as a campground. All 51 lodge guest rooms were recently renovated. The resort park boasts a three-diamond rating from AAA.

Cumberland Falls is 20 miles southwest of Corbin. Take US 25W to KY 90. From I-75 south, take exit 25. From I-75 north, take exit 15.

The Kentucky Department of Parks, an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet, operates 17 resort parks with lodges — more than any other state. For more information on Kentucky parks, visit our Web site at www.parks.ky.gov