Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park was illuminated with starlight and the northern lights as the second-annual Star Party kicked-off on August 18 - 20, 2022. The highly-successful Voyageurs Star Party drew over 170 visitors, families, and community members to this multi-day astronomy festival hosted by Voyageurs Conservancy and the National Park Service. Attendees stood in awe beneath a starscape of constellations, nebulae, distant galaxies, Jupiter, Saturn, and the dazzling Northern Lights.
Park Ranger Kassey teaching about nocturnal animal adaptations, Gordy Lindgren
The Voyageurs Star Party opened with a special program from Paul Bogard, author of the critically acclaimed book “The End of the Night,” who shared the importance of darkness, how much has been lost, what we still have, and what we might regain.
Voyageurs Conservancy and the National Park Service hosted an array of activities to connect all ages and backgrounds to the night sky. Attendees embarked on a planet hike with Education Specialist, Jesse Gates, that illustrated the wonder of our Solar System. Children investigated the pelts, skulls, and adaptations of nocturnal animals of the park with Ranger Kassey Trahanas. And of course, it wouldn’t be a complete northwoods experience without s’mores and stories around the campfire.
As darkness swept over Voyageurs National Park, visitors and families were captivated by an awe-inspiring nighttime performance. The crowd was energized as the overhead clouds opened to reveal millions of stars blanketing the dark sky. Park rangers and astronomers pointed out the multitude of constellations with powerful lasers throughout the night.
Conservancy specialists & park rangers identify constellations with laser pointer, Gordy Lindgren
Attendees enjoyed a constellation tours across the sky as telescopes were set to major celestial objects in the sky. Visitors waited patiently to view Saturn and Jupiter - for many it was their first time viewing these planets through a telescope. Amateur astronomer and planetarium educator, “Astro” Bob King, energetically identified Jupiter rising in the eastern sky and pointed out the most dazzling appearance of the night - the Northern Lights.
"Astro" Bob King sets up his telescope for the night sky tours, Gordy Lindgren
Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park is regarded as one of the best locations to catch the Northern Lights in the United States. The park’s northern latitude and the little-to-no light pollution make it a perfect location to catch this spectacular light show. The Aurora Borealis is a rare occurrence caused by activity on the sun (e.g. solar flares) and was on full display over Rainy Lake and Kabetogama Lake on both nights of the Voyageurs Star Party. Attendees were entertained with planets, meteors, galaxies, and more for over two hours of stargazing and telescope viewing before the conclusion of the successful event.
Northern Lights over Voyageurs National Park, Bob King
Attendees of the Voyageurs Star Party were entertained with planets, meteors, galaxies, and more for over two hours of stargazing and telescope viewing before the conclusion of the successful event. A special thank you to our partners Paul Bogard and "Astro" Bob King, Cantilever Hotel + Distillery, Starry Skies North IDA, and UMD Planetarium.
Ranger Erik Ditzler presents on nocturnal animal adaptations at Voyageurs National Park, Gordy Lindgren
In a world with rapidly increasing light pollution, Voyageurs National Park is a sanctuary of darkness - where the forests, wildlife, and humans thrive on the rhythmic cycle of night. More than 100 years ago, anyone could look up and view a myriad of stars. Today, more than 80% of North Americans cannot see the Milky Way from their backyards. Voyageurs Conservancy and the National Park Service secured the renowned International Dark Sky Park certification for Voyageurs National Park in December, 2020. 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.
Conservancy Education Specialist, Jesse Gates, leads a solar system hike, Gordy Lindgren
Under the joint Dark Sky Classroom, Voyageurs Conservancy and the 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.
Support Dark Sky Programs
If you would like to preserve natural darkness and support night sky programs, we hope you'll consider a gift to Voyageurs Conservancy. The Conservancy is the official nonprofit partner of the park and we are solely funded by individuals like you that care for and give back to the great outdoors.
