The Salt Lake Astronomical Society is hosting a star party Friday at Wheeler Farm.
The public is invited to gaze through local amateur astronomers' privately owned telescopes in the north parking lot, at 6300 South and 900 East.
Wheeler Farm employees recently have cleared ailing trees from the area, and members of the astronomical society would like to see if the new location works as an additional spot for its regular, free star parties.
The society's goal is to find locations in Salt Lake County to bring star parties closer to people's homes.
The event runs from dusk to 11 p.m., and society officers will give away astronomy books and even telescopes to youths ages 5 to 18 who attend, according to Joe Bauman, society vice president.
The following morning, society members will set up solar telescopes to allow the public safe views of the sun from 9 a.m. to noon at Winchester Park, 6400 S. 1100 West in Murray.
For more information, visit the Salt Lake Astronomical Society's website, slas.us.
Sheena McFarland