On Thursday, March 12, the Northwest Arkansas community gathered for an evening of eventful stargazing as well as learning at the “Star Party” hosted as part of NWACC’s Spring Arts & Culture Festival.

The event took place on top of NWACC’s  parking garage while guests parked on the lower levels and made their way to the top where multiple telescopes and binoculars had been set up to observe a series of stars, planets, constellations, etc. The event was organized by Explore Scientific, NWA Space and Science Center, NWACC, and Sugar Creek Astronomical Society.

The evening featured snacks on top of a small informational presentation by NWACC’s own astronomy experts on some star and planet facts. For example, right above the school from the vantage point on the parking garage’s top floor there appeared what from the naked eye seemed as a regular star, but was actually the planet Venus. Or like how the Subaru logo represented the Pleiades star cluster otherwise known as “The Seven Sisters.”

The “Star Party” was part of NWACC’s Spring Arts & Culture Festival, which highlighted a range of educational and cultural events. Like all festival activities, the “Star Party” was free and open to the public. The March 12 date represented a delay from the earlier scheduled date during the March 2-6 festival; cloudy weather and the threat of rain postponed the event.

Organizers considered the event a success, as it inspired interest in astronomy and brought the community together for an engaging and educational evening under the stars. If you’re interested in astronomy or want to know more about it, NWA Space is working to build a world class center that will connect people and the latest advancements in science and technology while continuing to foster a space for an effective love of learning. Those interested can find more information at NWA.Space.