New York State Parks is giving Long Island residents a chance to stargaze year-round with after-sunset permits for several parks, as well as special events like meteor shower viewings at Connetquot River State Preserve in Oakdale.
“It's a great opportunity for amateur stargazers to have a year-round permit accessible for several state parks around Long Island,” said Marc Mauritzen, Environmental Educator with New York State Parks.
Stargazing permits are available for several Suffolk County parks, including Hither Hills in Montauk, Montauk Point State Park, Robert Moses State Park in Babylon, Sunken Meadow State Park in Smithtown, and Wildwood State Park in Wading River.
According to a press release from New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, permits are available through March 31 and the Tuesday after Labor Day through Dec. 31, 2025.
The cost is $35 for state residents, who must have a valid vehicle registration and driver’s license. These dashboard permits are valid for stargazing from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, excluding July and August at Hither Hills.
For those new to stargazing, an event like "Stars and Meteors: Ursids Meteors" offers a chance to learn. The event is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 21, from 9:30 to 11 p.m. at Connetquot River State Park Preserve, 4090 Sunrise Highway in Oakdale.
Registration is required via Eventbrite, and while the event is already sold out, Mauritzen noted that cancellations are common. Those interested should check back on Eventbrite or call the park office at 631-581-1072 for availability.
Mauritzen explained that the free event, led by himself and another educator, offers an opportunity for participants to learn about the night sky and make the most of their stargazing experience.
Attendees will be guided to a park location with minimal light pollution for optimal viewing of the Ursids meteor shower. Weather permitting, Mauritzen expects participants to see between five and 10 meteors per hour, with visibility increasing as midnight approaches.
The event will begin indoors, but most of the time will be spent outdoors. Attendees are encouraged to dress warmly for the winter weather and bring binoculars or lawn chairs to enhance the experience.
The Ursids meteor shower is an annual occurrence in December, and the best way to view it—besides steering clear of light pollution—is to focus on one spot in the sky. Otherwise, the speed of the meteors makes them easy to miss.
“The No. 1 thing would be to find a nice dark spot in the sky, but your backyard is perfectly fine, and you really want to stay in one spot and focus on one area of the sky for a good amount of time,” Mauritzen said.
Unlike an asteroid, a meteor shower “is unique because it comes directly from a comet, and that comet orbits the Earth every 13 years,” next becoming viewable in 2035, he said.
About Connetquot River State Park Preserve, Mauritzen said, it’s “the largest state park on the island and it’s also New York state's first state park preserve, so the park offers a whole multitude of hiking opportunities. You can fly-fish here at the park. You can come visit our fish hatchery during the day also. So, the park has plenty to offer.”