The York County Astronomical Society (YCAS) will offer a public StarWatch at its observatory at John C. Rudy County Park, 400 Mundis Race Road, York, on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 8 to 10 p.m. The event will begin with a screened astronomical presentation on current astronomy topics.

Guests will then be guided on a tour of the sky through one of the club's telescopes. Attendees will be shown a host of celestial objects, including Saturn and Jupiter.

Those who own a telescope but are not sure how to use it are invited to bring it to the observatory, and YCAS experts will be on hand to help.

While the event is free and open to the public, donations will help the society to continue to bring astronomical events to York County and surrounding areas.

If it is clear, all activities will occur as scheduled. In the event of extreme weather, call 717-759-YCAS (9227) for notice of cancellation or visit http://www.astroyork.com or http://www.facebook.com/AstroYork.

Additionally, YCAS will offer programs to the public on Saturday, Oct. 21, at the planetarium in the York Learning Center, 301 E. Sixth Ave., York.

Programs suitable for children will be "One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure" at 2 p.m. and Rusty Rocket's Last Blast at 3:20 p.m. Older viewers are invited to attend "Forward! to the Moon" at 7 p.m. and "Two Small Pieces of Glass" at 8:20 p.m. StarWatch programs will take place at 2:40 and 7:40 p.m.

The admission fee will be reduced in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first planetarium demonstration in Jena, Germany. Cash and most credit and debit cards are accepted.

Private show reservations are available for groups of up to 60 people.

For more details, visit http://www.astroyork.com.