Telescope Star Gazing at Indiana’s Paynetown SRA, Oct. 19

Indiana Department of Natural Resources 10.04.12

Telescopes will be set up next to the beach at Paynetown State Recreation Area on Friday, Oct. 19, to give visitors a chance to see amazing views of the universe.

The star gazing will be from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Indiana University astronomy students will operate the telescopes and explain what visitors are seeing.

“We have a wonderful view of the night sky from the Paynetown beach,” said Jill Vance, Monroe Lake’s interpretive naturalist. “It’s perfect for star gazing.”

Paynetown SRA is at 4850 S. S.R. 446, just north of the causeway. The entrance fee is $5 per in-state vehicle and $7 per out-of-state vehicle.

The program will be canceled if the sky is too cloudy. For program status, call the Paynetown Activity Center before 7 p.m. at (812) 837-9967.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is the agency of the U.S. state of Indiana charged with maintaining natural areas such as state parks, state forests, recreation areas, etc. There are many divisions within the DNR and each has a specific role. The DNR is not only responsible for maintaining resource areas but also manages Indiana's fish and wildlife, reclaims coal mine ground, manages forested areas, aids in the management of wildlife on private lands, enforces Indiana's conservation laws, and many other duties not named here. According to the department's website, their mission is "to protect, enhance, preserve, and wisely use natural, cultural, and recreational resources for the benefit of Indiana's citizens through professional leadership, management, and education."