There is nothing better than summers in Michigan, especially when you can spend them up north at Sleeping Bear Dunes.

This year the dunes is doing something special. They will be hosting 8 star parties throughout the summer. What exactly is a star party you ask?  They are drop-in astronomy gatherings that highlight the park’s viewing of  dark nighttime skies and lengthy shoreline that allows for premium sky viewing.

Each event will have telescopes and information stations for visitors to observe stars, planets and deep space objects like the Milky Way. Visitors are encouraged to bring a flashlight and bug spray, as well as binoculars, beach chairs, and blankets. All Star Party events are free, though a visitor’s pass ($25 per vehicle, good for seven days) is required for entry to the park.

The inaugural 2019 party kicked off on April 13th; the remaining will be held on the following dates:

May 25 (9:00-11:00 p.m.) Location: Dune Climb. Highlights: Binary stars, brighter deep sky objects.

June 8 (4:00-6:00 p.m. and 9:00-11:00 p.m.) Location: Dune Climb. Highlights: Solar viewing in the afternoon; later, Moon, Mars, and Jupiter.

July 6 (4:00-6:00 p.m. and 9:00-11:00 p.m.) Location: Dune Climb. Highlights: Solar viewing in the afternoon; at twilight, Moon, Jupiter, Saturn.

August 10 (4:00-6:00 p.m. and 9:00-11:00 p.m.) Location: Thoreson Farm. Highlights: Solar viewing in the afternoon, followed by the Moon, Jupiter, Saturn, plus some brighter deep sky objects.

August 31 (4:00-6:00 p.m. and 9:00-11:00 p.m.) Location: Dune Climb. Highlights: Solar viewing in the afternoon; evening, Jupiter, Saturn, summer Milky Way.

September 21 (9:00-11:00 p.m.) Location: Dune Climb. Highlights: Jupiter, Saturn, summer Milky Way.

October 21 (8:00-10:00 p.m.) Location: Dune Climb. Highlights: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore 49th Anniversary Star Party. Saturn early; after dark, Pleiades, northern Milky Way.

More on the events as well as other great things going on at the Sleeping Bear Dunes here