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Sheepscot Stargazing Special

Explore the night sky at a Central Maine Astronomical Society star party!

Quick Details

Adult Ages 13+
$18
Youth Ages 4-12
$9
Child Ages 0-3
Free

This event is SOLD OUT. Please email [email protected] to be placed on a waiting list.

Be sure to check out our other great activities and events, and join our email list to be notified when 2024 Stargazing Specials are announced!


Board your train at Sheepscot station (97 Cross Road, Alna) for a 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.

Some objects that we should be able to see include: Rings of Saturn, Jupiter and its 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.

The Sheepscot Stargazing Special departs Sheepscot station (97 Cross Road, Alna) promptly at 7:30pm and returns around 9:30pm.

We look forward to seeing you on the narrow gauge!

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.


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.


Weather and Cancellations

If poor stargazing conditions or inclement weather are predicted, this event will be cancelled; 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.


Passes, Vouchers and Discounts

We will be pleased to honor passes redeemed as the base portion of the train fare on the Sheepscot Stargazing Special. Upon checkout, please select the appropriate discount for a Lifetime Pass, an Annual Pass, Alna Resident, or similar pass.