Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore will hold "Star Parties" throughout the year so visitors can have close up and panoramic views of the night sky.
The parties will run from April through October. Park rangers and members of the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society will help you unravel some of the mysteries of the night sky and discover more about the daytime sky.
All sky programs are free. Participants only need to purchase the park entrance pass or have an annual pass displayed in their vehicle to join in the fun.
Programs will be canceled if the sky is not visible due to weather conditions.
For all star parties, participants are welcome to bring their own binoculars, beach chairs, blankets and flashlights for a more comfortable experience.
During the parties, there will be prospects for star-gazing, meteor showers, solar viewing, storytelling and more.
View the full schedule of events below:
May 25 (9-11 p.m.) Dune Climb
Highlights: Binary stars, brighter deep sky objects late (twilight)
June 8 (4-6 p.m. and 9-11 p.m.) Dune Climb
Highlights: Solar viewing afternoon, Moon, Mars, Jupiter late (twilight)
July 6 (4-6 p.m. and 9-11 p.m.) Dune Climb
Highlights: Solar viewing afternoon, twilight, Moon, Jupiter, Saturn later
August 10 (4-6 p.m. and 9-11 p.m.) Thoreson Farm
Highlights: Solar viewing afternoon, Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, plus some brighter deep sky objects
August 31 (4-6 p.m. . and 9-11 p.m. Dune Climb
Highlights: Solar viewing afternoon, Jupiter, Saturn, summer Milky Way
September 21 (9-11 p.m.) Dune Climb
Highlights: Jupiter, Saturn, summer Milky Way
October 21 (8-10 p.m.) Dune Climb
Highlights: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore - 49th Anniversary Star Party. Saturn early, dark, Pleiades, northern Milky Way
For more information, click here.
