Sheepscot Stargazing Special
Star Party with the Central Maine Astronomical Society
Due to unforeseen circumstances that are beyond our control, we are unable to present the 2025 Sheepscot Stargazing Special.
We hope that this popular event will return in 2026.
Explore the night sky at a Central Maine Astronomical Society star party!
Board your train at Sheepscot station (97 Cross Road, Alna) for a diesel-powered ride through the wild pine forests, farmlands and hamlets of the Sheepscot Valley to Alna Center where a star party awaits.
We’ve invited the Central Maine Astronomical Society to set up their telescopes in the unspoiled and light-free field at Alna Center. Due to its rural location, Alna’s skies don’t suffer from the light pollution found in Augusta or other cities in Maine. Passengers will be able to gaze upon the same spectacular nighttime sights as travelers have for centuries.
On September 20, 2025 the high-power telescopes of CMAS volunteers will be back at the WW&F. As in past Stargazing sessions, objects that we may be able to observe include: Saturn, Jupiter, and/or other planets and moons, globular star clusters (like the Great Globular Cluster in Hercules), galaxies (such as Andromeda Galaxy), and various other Messier objects (like the Ring Nebula).
Please see the important information regarding weather and cancellations. Note that the Central Maine Astronomical Society may decide not to hold the stargazing session up to 6 hours before the event.
Ticket price includes the diesel train ride, a red flashlight, and admission to the Central Maine Astronomical Society star party. This event is not recommended for those with mobility issues, and pets are not permitted.
We highly recommend wearing warm clothing as autumn evenings in Alna can be quite chilly.
The Sheepscot Stargazing Special departs Sheepscot station (97 Cross Road, Alna) promptly at 6:30pm, and returns approximately 2.5 hours later.
We look forward to seeing you on the narrow gauge!
CANCELLED (SORRY)
This event has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control.
Quick Details
| Date: | |
| Location: | |
| Departure Time: | |
| Cost: | $18.75 – Adults $9.25 – Youth (4-15) |
| Discounts: | Discounts available for seniors, military (active or retired), WW&F Museum members, Mass Bay RRE members, and residents of Alna, Maine. |
| Duration: | 2.5 hours |
| Ages: | Not recommended for young children. |
| Accessibility: | Not recommended for those with mobility issues. |
| Pets: | For their safety, pets are not allowed at the star party. |
Ticket Availability
So to minimize the chance of cancelling the star party due to inclement weather or poor stargazing conditions, tickets will go on sale on Thursday, September 18th. To be notified when the tickets go live, please join our email list. Note that the final decision to hold the Star Party will be made by the Central Maine Astronomical Society up to 6 hours prior to the event.
About the Central Maine Astronomical Society
The Central Maine Astronomical Society, based in Whitefield, is an amateur astronomy club serving the Central and Midcoast regions of Maine. Through monthly public star parties, they work to educate the public on astronomy and preserving dark skies. CMAS also maintains a library of books and telescopes that are available for loan.
Star Party Protocol
Passengers on the Sheepscot Stargazing Special are asked to only use red flashlights (no white lights or cell phones), take no flash photography, ask before touching a telescope, wear warm clothing, and please leave all pets at home. Red flashlights will be provided to passengers, but please turn them off while riding the train (red always indicates a “stop” signal on a railroad!) Bring your questions to ask the astronomers from the Central Maine Astronomical Society, who will be happy to describe what you will see and some of the science behind it.
About the Weather and Cancellations
If poor stargazing conditions or inclement weather are predicted, this event will be cancelled (or postponed by one week); participants will be notified and provided with a full refund. The decision to hold the stargazing session is at the sole discretion of the Central Maine Astronomical Society and will be finalized approximately 6 hours prior to departure. All ticketholders will be notified via email if the stargazing session will not be occurring.
So Cool!!!
We went to an event here where we got to ride in a train car from 1894, and then learn stargazing with the Central Maine Astronomical Society. We had SO MUCH FUN. The WW&F volunteers are so professional, knowledgeable, passionate, and welcoming! They taught us so much of the history, told us about the organization and it’s efforts, and showed us around the restoration workshop. It was so cool!!!
Michaela via Google
