*as published in North Canton Living Magazine
I pulled the heavy blanket tighter as I lay on the picnic table. My eyes were focused on the twinkling stars above me as I watched vigilantly for the predicted meteor shower. The experts said there would be a slight chance of spotting them in my area but I couldn’t resist the possibility of viewing a shower of sparks in the clear night sky.
More than a decade ago I was introduced to the concept of a star party. Camping on the north rim of the Grand Canyon National Park in June, I took my children to a star party. There on the patio of the lodge, were dozens of amateur astronomers with massive telescopes. We wandered from telescope to telescope viewing the rings of Saturn; distant solar systems; the moon and so much more. Even better were the astronomers willing to talk about their telescopes as well as what the instruments focused on.
A week later we were camping in Bryce Canyon National Park as another larger star party took place. This time more than fifty amateur astronomers were set up in a large parking lot of the national park. The night air was cold and crisp as we once again circulated among the telescopes spying on the heavens.
Dark sky parks are becoming popular as the concept of light pollution is accepted. I remember as a child laying out at night gazing at the Milky Way. Today, you need to head west of the Mississippi River to see it. Here even at a dark sky park, it is difficult to view. Hence the existence of star parties in far-flung national parks where light pollution is absent.
Although it can be hard to view the stars here in northeast Ohio, you do have options. Observatory Park in Geauga County is home to the Nassau Astronomical Station built in 1957 and renovated in 2017. Observatory Park is proud to have the permanent distinction of being only one of 111 Dark Sky Parks in the world as designated by the International Dark Sky Association. They claim to be Ohio’s only dark sky park. This 1,100-acre park offers multiple public opportunities to learn about our night sky.
Fry Family Park in Magnolia is part of Stark Parks and has been awarded an Urban Night Sky Place Certification from the International Dark Sky Association. Like Observatory Park in Geauga County, Fry Family Park is designed to better enable night sky viewing and reduce light pollution.
At the Wilderness Center on the first Friday of every month, they roll back the roof of their observatory for a public star watch. Just a quick drive to Wilmont and you could be viewing the stars in an area where the light pollution is greatly reduced.
The North Canton Public Library has three telescopes (one currently being worked on) that are available for lending. You can check it out online with the search term “3D object telescope” and reserve it. All you need is a library card.
Sky and Telescope web page is an excellent resource for the top stargazing events in North America and Canada. Events are held throughout the summer but they could require a bit of travel. Watch for events on April 29th as we celebrate International Astronomy Day.
This summer I hope to attend StarFest in Ontario in July. One of the dozens of Star Parties held throughout the year.
What I Learned
Telescopes come in all shapes and sizes.
Amateur astronomers are eager to share their knowledge.
The rings of Saturn are breathtaking.
Before You Go
Geauga County’s Observatory Park is located in Montville Township. For information on events and directions, please visit https://www.geaugaparkdistrict.org/park/observatory-park/
If you would like to stay local, Fry Family Park information and directions can be found at https://starkparks.com/parks/fry-family-park/ The park is open until 11 pm and directions on the website will detail the best places and days to park for star gazing.
The Wilderness Center in Wilmont is excellent for more than star gazing. Visit www.wildernesscenter.org for specifics. Their star parties are on the first Friday of every month and are well worth a visit.
If you have questions about North Canton Public Library’s telescope lending program, please visit their website at http://ncantonlibrary.com/contact-us/ or call them directly for more information. All it takes is a library card for access to the stars.
While you plan your summer vacations, peruse the star parties listed at https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-resources/annual-stargazing-events/. Be very careful around the telescopes – watch your children closely.
Bug spray is your friend at a star party. Do not underestimate the mosquito. I carry bug spray in the trunk so I never forget it.
Layers of clothing are also recommended. Even in the summer, the nights can grow cool so bring jackets and hats. Especially if you are out west and higher elevation. The night can grow quite cold and you may need gloves and scarves.
Speaking of higher elevations, if you visit a star party at an elevation higher than you are used to beware of altitude sickness. Drink lots of water and watch for symptoms. The symptoms can creep up on you and if you are staying up for a star party you may be increasingly fatigued from the altitude. Take a nap, reduce your activity, and drink lots of water on the day of the party.
Give yourself time to adjust to the lack of light. Not only will the stars be more visible if you give yourself that extra twenty minutes to adjust but the natural world around you will look different. Take your time and enjoy the experience.