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Radnor Lake State Park and Dyer Observatory Partner to Host Rare Viewing of Venus in Transit on June 5th

Tennessee State Parks 75th AnniversaryNashville, TN – A rare sighting of Venus in transit will occur during the late afternoon of Tuesday, June 5th, and Radnor Lake State Park and the Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory are partnering to host a special viewing party to observe this unique planetary event.

The actual viewing will be held from 4:00pm to 6:15pm at the Dyer Observatory in Brentwood, in a specially designated area adjacent to Radnor Lake State Park. Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory will provide the appropriate solar telescopes and viewing apparatus, along with a number of experts in the field of astronomy to answer questions and to share their knowledge.

During the viewing party, Radnor Lake State Park will also hold a Birds of Prey program, featuring Radnor Lake Ranger staff and their feathered friends.

“Being in a position to observe the transit of Venus is very rare,” said Radnor Lake Park Manager Steve Ward.  “Because this is the last time this event will be visible during our lifetime, we wanted to offer park visitors and astronomy enthusiasts an opportunity to take part in this historic event.  We are excited about this joint venture with Dyer Observatory and appreciate their team’s efforts in helping make this unique viewing possible.”

Shuttle buses will begin at 4:00pm and will run every 20 minutes from two different parking areas for the event.  Radnor Lake State Park will offer parking at the west main entrance visitor’s center, located at 1160 Otter Creek Road. Additional parking will also be available at Bethel Church, located at 5670 Granny White Pike in Brentwood, Tennessee. (on the corner of Old Hickory Boulevard and Granny White Pike). Please note that parking will not be available at the Dyer Observatory.

Reservations are recommended. If parking at Bethel Church, please make your reservation by contacting the Vanderbilt’s Dyer Observatory at www.dyer.vanderbilt.edu and clicking on the calendar section of their website.  If parking at Radnor Lake State Park, reservations will be accepted beginning Monday by contacting the park visitor’s center at 615.373.3467.

Radnor Lake State Park and Natural Area is located in Davidson County in the midst of the Overton Hills, south of Metropolitan Nashville in the Oak Hill Community. This natural area provides a variety of scenic spots and diverse natural habitats ranging from its lake, streams and placid sloughs. Wildlife and numerous species of plants are in abundance.

It is a place that provides scenic, biological, geological and passive recreational opportunities not found in other metropolitan areas of Nashville’s size. For additional information about Radnor Lake State Park and Natural Area, please visit www.tnstateparks.com/RadnorLake.

For additional information about state parks, visit www.tnstateparks.com or Tennessee State Parks’ innovative new microsite at www.tnstateparks75.com.

Surrounded by scenic Radnor Lake State Park and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Dyer’s telescopes have pointed toward the sky since 1953. Vanderbilt University has a long and respected tradition of astronomy. Many of the University’s original 1875 astronomical instruments and artifacts are housed at Dyer.

Also proudly displayed among the historical items is the engraved pocket watch of the famous astronomer E.E. Barnard, presented to him for the discovery of the fifth moon of Jupiter. Galileo discovered the first four. Dyer Observatory is located at 1000 Oman Drive.

For more on Venus in Transit see: NASA announces Venus Transit of the Sun to take place June 5th

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