Find Your Park After Dark: Meteor Shower Magic at the Dune Climb

From staff reports

On Wednesday and Thursday, Aug. 12-13, from 10 p.m.-5 a.m., Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is offering a special Star Party at the Dune Climb. A special all-nighter is planned as our planet passes through the heart of the Perseids. The sliver of a moon provides the perfect opportunity to find deep sky objects in a very dark sky. The meteor shower peaks around 2 a.m. Don’t forget to bring a blanket to make your sky viewing more comfortable. Please 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 Grand Traverse Astronomical Society (GTAS) staff will wear red glow bracelets at the events.

For more information about the GTAS, Gtastro.org.