Geauga Park District’s Observatory Park in Montville Township is open daily 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. through Labor Day, and Naturalist (“Astro-Nat”) Chris Mentrek and other naturalist staff are eager to show you around this International Dark Sky Park during the following upcoming programs this summer.
On Saturday, August 11th, come watch “Back to the Future” – the recently chosen fan-voted final film of 2018 – with family activities starting at 8:00 p.m. and the movie at dark. Free popcorn and lemonade will be provided, as well as visits to the Geauga County Public Library’s Fun Bus; bring your own blankets and lawn chairs.
Also that night, stay late or spend the night to watch the Perseid Meteor Shower during the Meteors & Moths Overnight Event – the one night when tent camping is allowed at Observatory Park, with peak meteor time between 1:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m.! Also check out cool moths attracted to our black light and mercury vapor lamps and help sample and survey nocturnal wildlife. A naturalist will be on hand from sunset to sunrise to answer your questions.
Naturalist-led night sky viewing returns to the recently renovated Nassau Astronomical Station and its huge research-grade telescope these Saturdays, 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.:
- July 28th
- August 25th
- September 8th
- September 15th (with the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society)
- September 22th.
To celebrate Ohio Open Doors Week, Nassau will also be open for daytime visitation on Sunday, September 9th, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Enjoy full moon programs from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. on the following Fridays:
- July 27 (The Thunder Moon)
- Sunday, August 26 (The Sturgeon Moon)
- Sunday, September 23 (The Harvest Moon).
Hour-long hands-on astronomy education will be presented these Fridays, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.:
- August 10th – Asteroid Sampling Missions
- August 24th – Asteroid Sampling Missions
- September 7th – Relativity for Beginners
- September 21st – Relativity for Beginners, followed by night sky until 11:00 p.m. if weather permits.
Some age groups get extra-special access this summer. Kids ages 3-5 can sign up to enjoy Astrotots: Cosmic Cousins, about the possibility of life on other planets, on Thursday, August 2nd, and Saturday, August 4th; while seniors can sign up for Elderberries: Heavenly Bodies in the Summer Sky the evening of Thursday, August 9th. Register for these soon at Geauga Park District or 440-286-9516.
And finally, “Astro-Nat” Chris will open the Robert McCullough Science Center and Oberle Observatory these Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., all featuring The Sky Tonight Planetarium Shows at 2:00 p.m.:
- July 29
- August 12th
- August 26th
- September 9th
- September 23
Learn more about Observatory Park any time of day or night on our new website.
For more on Geauga Park District offerings, please call 440-286-9516 or visit Geauga Park District online via Geauga Park District, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
