Discover the magic of the night sky at The Superior Dark Sky Experience with activities centered in Silver Bay and Finland on October 17th & 18th. This event celebrates the beauty of the night sky in one of the most pristine natural environments in the region. There is no charge to attend any of the events, and a schedule can be found at superiordarksky.org.
The Dark Sky Experience is a rare opportunity for residents and visitors to witness a pristine night sky near the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, a designated Dark Sky Sanctuary. You’ll learn the importance of dark skies for human health, wildlife, and cultural heritage.
There will be informal stargazing and sky watching with telescopes. One session will be an introduction to night sky photography, including the best ways to witness and photograph the Aurora Borealis. Nature-focused programs will explore the impact of light pollution on nocturnal wildlife, including bats, moths, and bird migration. One talk includes a presentation on Ojibwe Star Culture with Ojibwe artist, historian, and retired college professor Carl Gawboy.
Day one events get underway at the Silver Bay Library with a presentation by Todd Burlet. Burlet is president of the Starry Skies North chapter of DarkSky International. He’ll discuss Dark Skies and answer questions for the audience. The first day concludes with an outdoor story walk starting at 6:30 p.m.
Day two begins at 3:30 p.m. at the Finland Community Center with several presentations. ExploraDome, the Bell Museum’s mobile planetarium, will be on hand throughout the event. ExploraDome shows, which offer an opportunity to learn about night skies, are approximately 30 minutes long each and will be presented throughout the event.
Beverages are available throughout the event, and The Friends of Finland will be serving up dinner between 5:00 and 7:00 p.m..
One of the organizers of this event is Starry Skies North (the Minnesota chapter of DarkSky International). They are advocates for reducing light pollution and protecting the region’s natural nighttime environment. DarkSky International aims to restore the nighttime environment, protecting communities from the harmful effects of light pollution through outreach, advocacy, and conservation efforts.
The designation of the BWCAW as an International Dark Sky Sanctuary has brought increased attention to the North Shore. The growing demand for astro-tourism will bring positive, sustainable economic benefits to North Shore communities.
See superiordarksky.org for the full schedule of activities. When you attend, please dress warmly. If you’d like, you’re also welcome to bring your binoculars and telescopes, if you have them.
Preserving our heritage of the night sky for future generations and giving everyone the chance to witness the cosmos is what the Superior Dark Sky Experience is all about.
