News Release

Star Party Event at Voyageurs National Park Celebrates Night Skies August 18-20

Date: July 27, 2022
Contact: Tawnya Schoewe, 218 283 6670

International Falls, MN: Discover your park after dark at the Voyageurs Star Party, a stellar three-day astronomy festival. The National Park Service and Voyageurs Conservancy are celebrating the natural wonder and cultural heritage of Voyageurs National Park's night skies with our second annual summer Star Party on Thursday, August 18 through Saturday, August 20, 2022. Join us for special speakers, arts and crafts, music, telescope viewing, guided constellation tours, and more. Events are free and for all-ages.

Conservancy and ranger-led activities will be held in the early evening at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center, August 19 and Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center on August 20. Special speakers Paul Bogard and Astro “Bob” will inspire you with the galaxies, planets, and stars above our heads. Once the park goes dark, attendees will enjoy guided telescope sessions and constellation tours under Voyageurs’ star-studded skies.

View a full schedule of events and information at voyageurs.org/starparty and www.nps.gov/voya

Thursday, August 18, Thunderbird Lodge, Rainy Lake

• The End of the Night with Paul Bogard: 5 - 6 pm

A starry night is one of nature's most magical wonders. Yet in our artificially lit world, most of us no longer experience true darkness. In this talk based on his critically acclaimed book THE END OF NIGHT, Paul Bogard seeks to restore our awareness of the spectacularly primal, wildly dark night sky and how it has influenced the human experience across everything from science to art. Using a blend of personal narrative, natural history, science, and astronomy, Bogard shares the importance of darkness—what we've lost, what we still have, and what we might regain—and the simple ways we can reduce the brightness of our nights tonight. This event is free, registration is required, and space is limited. Reserve your spot at voyageurs.org/starparty or call [phone].Friday, August 19, Rainy Lake Visitor Center upper parking lot

• Family-Friendly Programs: 6 pm to 12 am

Join us for evening ranger programs, astronomy arts and crafts, a solar system hike, S'mores and Stories around the campfire, and more. Attendees will enjoy family-friendly activities that will introduce you to the wilderness above your head. Once nighttime falls, enjoy telescope sessions and constellation tours under Voyageurs' star-studded skies.

• Discover the Night with “Astro” Bob King: 9 - 9:30 pm

Join amateur astronomer and planetarium educator "Astro" Bob King for an awe-inspiring presentation under the night sky. Learn about August's celestial events and what makes Voyageurs National Park's dark skies so spectacular. Afterward, you'll join Astro Bob and park rangers and put your new night-watching skills to the test. View Jupiter and Saturn through a telescope, enjoy constellation tours over the park, learn about astro-photography, and take in the wilderness above our heads until midnight. Bob King served as a photographer and photo editor at the Duluth News Tribune for 39 years and also taught at the UMD planetarium for many years. He has written several books on astronomy including The Urban Legends of Space, which examines science vs pseudoscience in Astronomy.

• Night Sky Tour Telescope Sessions + Constellation Tours, 9:45 pm to 12 am

Join Astro Bob, the Conservancy, and Park Rangers to put your new night-watching skills to the test. View Jupiter and Saturn through a telescope, enjoy constellation tours over the park, learn about astro-photography, and take in the wilderness above our heads until midnight. Attendees should meet at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center upper parking lot. Bring a lawn chair and bug spray.moreSaturday, August 20, Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center, meet outside

• Family-Friendly Programs: 6 pm to 12 am
• Discover the Night with “Astro” Bob King: 9 - 9:30pm
• Night Sky Tour - Telescope Sessions + Constellation Tours: 9:45 – 12 am

Weather Considerations:In the event of inclement weather, please visit Voyageurs National Park’s Facebook page for updates and cancellations at www.facebook.com/VoyageursNPS. About the 2022 Voyageurs Star PartyIn December 2020, Voyageurs National Park became officially certified as an International Dark Sky Park. This certification from the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) recognizes Voyageurs for the exceptional quality of its dark skies and its ongoing commitment to preserving darkness and educating the public about the night sky. Voyageurs Conservancy, the official nonprofit partner of Voyageurs National Park, was proud to help secure this certification by funding key light fixture changes and hosting night sky educational programs.Under the joint Dark Sky Classroom, the Voyageurs Conservancy and National Park Service host engaging programs to educate youth and the public on the significance of our dark skies. This includes weekly Dark Sky Programs, Dark Sky Virtual Field Trips for elementary students, and the Voyageurs Star Party.