Voyageurs National Park’s Annual Star Party to be Held August 9 – 10
by Mark Miller of VNP
Experience the beauty and wonder of the night sky at the annual Star Party, featuring a series of free astronomy events taking place August 9-10 at Voyageurs National Park.
Join us to explore the cosmos and celebrate the importance of preserving our dark, starry skies. Hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy, the National Park Service, and numerous partners, the Star Party celebrates the continued protection and enjoyment of our incredible night skies. Although light pollution threatens dark skies across the globe, Voyageurs National Park hosts some of the most spectacular dark skies in the region!
This event is free and open to all ages and experiences, from amateur astronomers to first-time stargazers. Conservancy and ranger-led activities will be held at both Rainy Lake Visitor Center on Friday, August 9 and Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center on Saturday, August 10.
Attendees will enjoy special dark sky programs and learn how to view the Perseid Meteor Shower with expert guidance from local astronomers. Delight in campfire stories and s’mores, paddle on Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake with the Canoemobile, and enjoy space-themed songs under the stars. Once the park goes dark, attendees will enjoy guided telescope sessions and constellation tours under Voyageurs’ star-studded skies. Join us to explore the wonders of the cosmos and discover the magic of the night at Voyageurs National Park!
View a full schedule of 2024 events and the most up-to-date information at voyageurs.org/starparty and Voyageurs Star Parties – Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) Program schedule highlights include:
Friday, August 9 at Rainy Lake Visitor Center
Saturday, August 10 at Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center
The following schedule is the same for both Friday and Saturday with different locations. On Friday, August 9 all activities and programs will be located at Voyageurs National Park’s Rainy Lake Visitor Center. On Saturday, August 10, all activities (except for the night sky boat cruise) will be located at the park’s Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center.
Canoemobile with Wilderness Inquiry
7:00 – 11:00 PM
In partnership with Voyageurs Conservancy and the National Park Service, Wilderness Inquiry is thrilled to bring Canoemobile to the Voyageurs National Park 2024 Star Party for two nights of canoeing on Voyageurs lakes in our 10-person canoes. This event is free for everyone to attend, and no prior paddling experience is required. People of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities are encouraged to attend!
S’mores & Stories
7:00 – 9:00 PM
Enjoy a family-friendly time around the campfire with free s’mores and reading children’s books about the stars.
Nocturnal Animals of Voyageurs National Park
7:15 – 7:45 PM
For nocturnal animals, the envelope of darkness is just as natural as sunlit days are for us. In order to hunt, mate, or migrate, these species rely on the cyclic rhythms of light and dark. Come learn about the amazing adaptations that these nocturnal animals have developed in order to survive in pitch darkness. These nocturnal animals truly understand that half of the park is after dark!
Singing with the Stars
7:30 – 8:30 PM
Join volunteers, park rangers, and Voyageurs Conservancy staff for a musical experience under the stars, covering space and night sky themed songs.
Dancing with the Stars: The Motion of the Aurora Borealis!
7:45 – 8:15 PM
Join us for a fun, interactive and moving exploration of the Northern Lights! This family friendly program will answer questions like: What are the Northern Lights? How are they moving? How can I move like Aurora Borealis? How long has Aurora Borealis been Dancing with the Stars?
Light Pollution Challenges and Solutions, and the Economic Opportunities of Astro-tourism
8:15 – 8:45 PM
Join Dark Sky Delegate and Starry Skies North chapter president Todd Burlet as he explores light pollution and the economic opportunities it creates for still-dark locales. Learn about the sources of light pollution, the impact it has on human health and wellness, as well as the health of our plants, animals, and waters. We’ll share simple things you can do as individuals, families, and communities to reduce light pollution while still enjoying quality outdoor lighting. Learn more about the economic opportunities of Astro-Tourism and how to tap into this growing market, including how to attract visitors during ‘shoulder’ seasons.
How to Watch the Perseid Meteor Shower with Astro Bob
9:00 – 9:30 PM
It’s almost time for one of the year’s richest and most enjoyable meteor showers. In this program we will learn where Perseids come from and when to see them best.
Stars Over Voyageurs Lakes- Nighttime Boat Cruise
9:30 – 11:00 PM
View the stars aboard a tour boat in a dark-sky certified national park! The captain will navigate to a quiet spot on the lake to optimize dark sky viewing while a ranger helps visitors identify objects with the naked eye and talks about light pollution and what it means to be a dark sky certified park. NOTE: Must make reservations and pay at: Voyageurs National Park Tours, Voyageurs National Park – Recreation.gov
Telescope Observing Session
9:30 – Midnight
Once it’s dark, enjoy telescope sessions and constellation tours under Voyageurs’ star-studded skies. View Saturn and its beautiful set of rings through a telescope, enjoy constellation tours of the sky, and take in the wilderness above our heads. You’ll even get the chance to view other galaxies through our new and powerful 18″-inch mirror Obsession Telescope.
A detailed schedule of activities, weather-related updates, and things to know before you attend the 2024 Voyageurs Star Party are available at voyageurs.org/starparty and Voyageurs Star Parties – Voyageurs National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
All are welcome to attend this free event at Voyageurs National Park. There are no entrance fees at Voyageurs National Park and no additional tickets or sign-up is required to attend the Star Party. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own supplies to this event. Seating is not provided so bring a camp chair or blanket if you wish. Wear layers, bring water, pack bug spray, and keep in mind parking is limited. Eat dinner before you arrive or pack a picnic (and plan to pack your trash out with you) as there will not be food vendors in the park. Be prepared to wait in line to park or walk a short distance from overflow parking.
This Voyageurs Star Party is brought to you by Voyageurs Conservancy, the National Park Service, Starry Skies North, Wilderness Inquiry, and Bell Museum. In 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.
Voyageurs Conservancy and Voyageurs National Park host the Dark Sky Classroom – a suite of engaging programs and events 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. Funding for this project was provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
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ABOUT VOYAGEURS CONSERVANCY:
Voyageurs Conservancy is the official charitable partner of Voyageurs National Park. Established in 1965, the Conservancy was the driving force to permanently protect the Rainy, Kabetogama, Namakan, and Sand Point region of northern Minnesota. Today, the Voyageurs Conservancy is a community of people dedicated to preserving, protecting, and sharing the unique experience of Minnesota’s national park. The organization is a 501c3 nonprofit that works directly with the National Park Service to support conservation and recreation projects, advance education and outreach, and protect the wild nature of the park. It continues to connect people to the outdoors where they can learn, volunteer, and recreate, while preserving the park for future generations.