Find Your Park After Dark, Experience the Night Sky at Sleeping Bear Dunes

Date: May 11, 2015

The sky is the limit at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (National Lakeshore). Join park rangers and astronomers from the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society (GTAS) on Saturday, May 23 at the Dune Climb. On this day, two events offer opportunities to view the sky. The first event, from 4:00-6:00 p.m., will allow visitors to safely view the sun through the use of a solar telescope. The second event happens after sunset, from 9:00-11:00 p.m. Visitors will have a great chance to view the evening planets, Jupiter and Venus. Park in the row furthest from the dunes with headlights facing M-109.

All sky programs offered by the National Lakeshore are free. Participants need only purchase the Park Entrance Pass or have an Annual Pass displayed in their vehicle to join in the fun. Programs will be cancelled if the sky is not visible due to weather conditions. The decision to cancel is usually made three hours in advance. Please call 231-326-4700, ext. 5005, for a voicemail message with the decision. For all evening astronomy events, bring a flashlight for the walk back to your car and bug spray, if needed. Park rangers and GTAS staff will wear red glow bracelets at the events. For more information about the GTAS, go to http://www.gtastro.org/. 

This event is the perfect opportunity to Find Your Park in the stars. Starry night skies and natural darkness are important components of the special places the National Park Service protects. National parks hold some of the last remaining harbors of darkness and provide an excellent opportunity to experience this endangered resource.

As you find your way through the clear skies of the National Lakeshore, you are encouraged to share your adventures at FindYourPark.com and on social media using hashtags #FindYourPark and #sleepingbearnps.