An Evening of STARGAZING
with Shannon Mann

Sponsored by the Tree of Life Cultural Foundation 501(c)3

Monday, October 27, 2025
All Ages Welcome
First Presbyterian Church of Forest City, NC (438 W Main St)
6:30-9:00pm (you do not have to stay the whole time)
The evening will start with a short presentation about the night sky and about what we will be seeing that evening. 

This is a FREE event! (Donations Appreciated)
Donations support the TOLCF Scholarship Fund.

Scroll down to REGISTER. 

The Stargazer:
Shannon Mann has been "looking up" his entire life. His interest in learning the night sky really began in October 1985 when he and his neighbor found Comet Halley as a small, faint smudge in his telescope months before it grew bright enough to see with just the eye.

Through the years, Shannon has kept up his interest by showing many people the wondrous telescopic views of our solar system, home galaxy, and beyond.

Yet over time, many of these astronomical treasures have been more difficult or impossible to see, due to our increasing use of bright, unshielded outdoor light at night. In darker, remote places, people still gather at "star parties" such as the Texas Star Party, Okie-Tex Star Party, and Cherry Springs Star Party to experience the full majesty of a truly dark sky.

Here at home in the city or suburbs, it's still amazing what a difference can be made by simply blocking (or turning off) a nearby glaring outdoor light while observing.

This night,  we will see the Crescent Moon and at least one planet (Saturn) through the telescope. Several other objects beyond our solar system may be seen as well including double stars and star clusters depending on sky conditions.

This stargazing and observing experience is weather dependent and a "go" or "no go" decision will be announced by 4:30pm on the day of the event. Please check emails and website for an update. 

Sunset on Monday, October 27th is at 6:37pm with it really starting to get dark around 7:00pm. Please choose not to use your cell phones during this event as the screen glare will disturb the participants' dark adapted vision. This event will begin at 6:30pm and will end at 9:00pm.