Voyageurs National Park is among the places in the world that offers natural darkness because of a lack of light from development.

Protecting this natural darkness as a resource is a part of the  National Park Service’s goal as it recognizes its second century of existence.

Playing off this goal and the resource, Voyageurs National Park offers two programs developed in the “Starry, Starry Night” theme.

A new Junior Ranger Night Explorer Booklet, created in part by Voyageurs National Park, has been adopted by the entire Midwest Region. The booklet is full of information and activities about the night sky. Each activity is rated on a level of difficulty, recommended for ages 5-12, and is a great way of introducing children to astronomy, say organizers of the program.

The new Junior Ranger Night Explorer Booklet is available at all three of Voyageurs National Park’s visitor centers and upon completion, the child will become an official Night Explorer and earn a special Night Explorer patch.

In addition is the Night Explorer Series, which include programs led by a “dark” ranger. “Dark” rangers are park rangers who have either extensive knowledge in interpreting the night sky, or have completed training in such programs and are equipped to share that knowledge with the visiting public.

Due to Voyageurs’ isolated location away from urban areas where significant light pollution is found, the park features some of the darkest night skies in the National Park Service. The Night Explorer Series will focus on educating visitors about the park’s night life and skies. Each program gives a visitor a chance to experience a naturally dark night at Voyageurs National Park firsthand.

Visitors have a variety of different programs to choose from, which range from beginner to advanced information, and will occur in different areas located throughout the park. The programs include night hikes, beginning star gazing, solar telescope viewing, meteor shower viewing, and high-powered telescopes.

Check the park’s website for details on times and locations at www.nps.gov/voya.

Night Explorer Series programs

• Star Light, Star Bright, First Star — tonight, July 28, and Aug. 25

Join members of Duluth’s Arrowhead Astronomical Society in viewing the night sky using high-powered telescopes. Program begins indoors and observation starts 1/2 hour after sunset. No flashlights. Recommended ages 10 and up.

• Solar Viewing — Aug. 17

Join a “dark” ranger and safely look at the sun using special filters on a solar telescope. You will locate sunspots on the surface of our “star” as it changes. Meet outside the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center. Recommended ages 10 and up.

• Full Moon Hike: Night Sights and Sounds — Aug. 3

Join a “dark” ranger for an evening of fun and nighttime activities. The evening includes a hike on the Echo Bay Trail learning about creatures of the night that live in Voyageurs National Park. It’s sure to be a howling good time. No flashlights. Recommended ages 10 and up.

• Night Sky Wonders — Aug. 10

Have you ever wondered how to locate constellations in the night sky, why there are so many colors in the northern lights, or why we do not see the moon every night? Come spend a family friendly evening with “dark” Ranger Kim Reich to learn the answers to these questions and more. Recommended ages 10 and up.

• Meteor Showers over Voyageurs — Aug. 12

Join astronomy volunteer, Donald Graves, biology professor at Hibbing Community College, for an evening of viewing the Perseid meteor showers. Bring a lawn chair/blanket and insect repellent. No flashlights. Recommended ages 10 and up.

• Lawn Chair Stargazing — Aug. 24

Join a “dark” ranger and learn the basics of stargazing from your lawn chair. Participants must bring their own lounge/lawn chair or blanket and insect repellent. Meet outside the Kabetogama Lake Visitor Center. No flashlights. Recommended ages 10 and up.

• Blue Moon Hike — Aug. 31

Join a “Dark” ranger for an evening of nighttime adventures. Explore Voyageurs National Park under the light of a blue moon. No flashlights. Meet outside the Rainy Lake Visitor Center. Recommended ages 10 and up.