Geauga Park District’s Observatory Park in Montville Township is open daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Labor Day through Memorial Day, and naturalists including “Astro-Nat” Chris Mentrek are eager to lead the way around your International Dark Sky Park this fall.
Please note that registration is required for all the following programs, with the exception of night sky viewing and the lunar eclipse, at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org under Programs & Activities, or by phone at 440-286-9516 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. daily, beginning September 20 for Geauga County residents and September 27 for all others.
To start the season, don’t miss the all-new SPACE RACE on Saturday, October 1, from 5 to 7 p.m.! You can learn more about this unique special event, and sign up online for $20, at http://bit.ly/spacerace2022-
Observatory Park is an evening hot spot these Fridays and Saturdays for guided night sky viewing opportunities: October 7, 8, 21 and 22, November 12, 25 and 26, and December 9 and 10 at the park’s main campus (naturalist-led), as well as October 15, November 19 and December 17 at Nassau Astronomical Station (Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society volunteer-led).
Did you know that Ohio experiences a Total Lunar Eclipse in the wee hours of November 8? Wake up to appreciate this rare spectacle in the park! The eclipse lasts from 4 to 7 a.m. early Tuesday morning, but the most dramatic part of the eclipse will occur from 4 to 5:15 a.m., as our moon passes appears to go dark – that is, unless it’s too cloudy.
Naturalist Chris presents astronomy education onsite these Fridays at 7 p.m.: October 7 (Ohio’s Ancient Sky-Watchers), November 12 (Cloud-Spotting with NASA’s GLOBE) and December 9 (Calendars & the Sky) as well as virtual Zoom programs these following Fridays at 7 p.m.: October 21 (Ohio’s Ancient Sky-Watchers) and November 25 (Cloud-Spotting with NASA’s GLOBE).
Full Moon Hikes will be held October 9 (The Hunter’s Moon) and December 7 (The Bear Moon), followed by observation of the full moon rising using park telescopes, weather permitting.
Observatory Park loves its Astrotots and Astrotots XL, both focusing this October on satellites! Youth ages 3 to 5 with an adult can attend Friday or Saturday, October 14 or 15; youth ages 6 to 11 with an adult can attend Saturday, October 15.
Geared toward grades 6 through 12 – though all are welcome – the Geauga Skywatchers Club is alternating between virtual and in-person meetings throughout the Geauga County Public Library system. Those interested can register through https://bit.ly/
And finally, last but certainly not least, “Astro-Nat” Chris presents his awesome and entertaining The Sky Tonight Planetarium Shows on Sundays, October 23, November 27 and December 11, during two sessions afternoon.
Don’t forget that Observatory Park’s mobile-friendly website is also available 24/7 to learn more about this park, its features and its trails totaling almost four miles. By all means, enjoy!
For more on Geauga Park District offerings, please call 440-226-4695 or 440-226-4636 or visit Geauga Park District online via www.geaugaparkdistrict.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
