VNP Staff Report

Members of Duluth’s Arrowhead Astronomical Society will use high-powered telescopes to view the night sky Saturday.

The program begins at 8 p.m. at the Rainy Lake Visitor Center with an indoor introduction and observation starts one half hour after sunset.

Those interested can come for the entire program or stop by any time after dark for the telescope viewing. No fee or registration is required to attend the program, which is recommended ages 10 and up.

Voyageurs’ Night Explorer programs are part of a new initiative that is looking forward to the century mark of the inception of the Organic Act of Aug. 25, 1916, which created the National Park Service and its goals. The year of 2016 brings the National Park Service into its second century. In preparing for this second century of stewardship and engagement, an action plan intended to advance the service toward a shared vision for 2016 and the second century was created.

At the heart of the action plan are four broad themes supported by goals and measurable actions. One of the themes involves preserving America’s special places and an action to accomplish this goal is called “Starry, Starry Night.” Under this call to action, the NPS will help protect natural darkness as a precious resource and create a model for dark sky protection.

As a result, Voyageurs National Park implemented two new programs: the Junior Ranger Night Explorer booklet and the Night Explorer series.

The booklet, created in part by Voyageurs National Park, has been adopted by the entire Midwest Region. The booklet contains information and activities about the night sky. Each activity is rated on a level of difficulty, recommended for ages 5-12, and helps introduce children to astronomy. The 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.

The Night Explorer series, is led by a “dark” ranger, park rangers who have knowledge in interpreting the night sky, or have completed training in such programs and are equipped to share that knowledge with the visiting public.

The full schedule of Night Explorer programs can be found on the park’s website or through the following link: http://www.nps.gov/voya/planyourvisit/upload/NightExplorer-web.pdf