'Gateway To The Stars' At The Gateway Arch

The stars may be light-years away, but you can get a close-up peek at them right here in St. Louis. On April 28 and May 26, Gateway Arch National Park will be holding a special stargazing experience starting at 8 p.m. Weather permitting, guests can meet at the south leg of the Gateway Arch and view planets, nebulae, and lunar craters through powerful telescopes. The event will be led by volunteers from the St. Louis Astronomical Society and will run until 10 p.m.

Ranger-led talks will be held unless there is heavy rain, park officials say. The telescope viewing may be cancelled if skies are cloudy. Call 314-655-1750, ext. 472, the afternoon of the event for weather updates.

Ghosts of the Arch Grounds Stargazing Experience

When: Saturday, April 28, 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

What: Learn about the various "incarnations" of the Arch Grounds as the area transformed from a French fur trading post to a warehouse district, to the present National Park site. Some spectacular events like the Great St. Louis Fire of 1849, construction of the Eads Bridge, the clearing of the riverfront site in the 1930s, and of course the building of the Gateway Arch marked this transformation and are highlighted in this program.

Animals of the Park Stargazing Experience

When: Saturday, May 26, 8-10 p.m.

What: The recently transformed Gateway Arch grounds are more than just an oasis from the concrete and steel of the rest of the city. Learn about the surprising variety of animals and wildlife that actually inhabit the area.

Stargazing events are also scheduled for June 23, July 21, August 25, September 22 and October 2o, so mark your calendars. For parking locations, visit http://getaroundstl.com/. For more information about events at Gateway Arch National Park, visit http://www.nps.gov/jeff.

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