Conjunctionfest! at Town Creek Under the Stars on Feb. 21

MOUNT GILEAD – Two, count em’ two, astronomical conjunctions will be visible on Saturday, Feb. 21 at Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site from 6:30-10 p.m. The Moon and Uranus as well as Venus and Mars will be paired very closely together in the sky. In fact, Venus and Mars will not be this close again until Oct. 5, 2017.  Participants will also view Jupiter, the Andromeda Galaxy, and the Orion Nebula.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com Town Creek Indian Mount is only 1.5 miles from the Richmond County boarder, on the outskirts of Ellerbe.

Kevin Spradlin | PeeDeePost.com
Town Creek Indian Mount is only 1.5 miles from the Richmond County boarder, on the outskirts of Ellerbe.

“It will be exciting to see two planets so closely paired,” says Historic Interpreter Karen Bowles, “and if men are from Mars and women from Venus, then this is a great opportunity to bring everyone together to enjoy an evening of astronomy.”

Town Creek Indian Mound was also featured in Our State Magazine’s “10 Places to Enjoy the North Carolina Night Sky.”

Interested stargazers are encouraged to dress for the weather. Participants may also bring binoculars and telescopes. The staff will have a scope available if you do not have one. Advanced registration is requested by calling or emailing the site. This event is free and open to the public but donations are welcome. Please contact the site at 910-439-6802 or at towncreek@ncdcr.gov to register.

For more than 1,000 years, American Indians farmed lands later known as North Carolina. Around A.D. 1000, a new cultural tradition arrived in the Pee Dee River Valley. Throughout Georgia, South Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and western and southern Piedmont North Carolina, inhabitants built earthen mounds for their leaders, engaged in widespread trade, supported craftspeople and celebrated a new religion.

The mission of Town Creek is to interpret the history of the American Indians who once lived here. The visitor center features interpretive exhibits and audiovisual displays. A national historic landmark, Town Creek Indian Mound State Historic Site is North Carolina’s only state historic site dedicated to American Indian heritage.  Tour groups are welcome and encouraged. The site is open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m.  It is closed to the public Mondays and most major holidays.

The historic site is within the Division of State Historic Sites and located at 509 Town Creek Mound Road, Mount Gilead, NC, 27306. For more information on Town Creek, visit www.towncreekindianmound.com.

Filed in: Latest Headlines, Outdoors

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