For walk-up visitors, Geauga Park District’s Observatory Park is open daily 6:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. through Labor Day at 10610 Clay Street in Montville Township. For those wanting a more guided experience, however, Naturalist (“Astro-Nat”) Chris Mentrek is eager to show you around this International Dark Sky Park.
First and foremost, mark your calendar to celebrate the long-anticipated opening of the Nassau Astronomical Station on Saturday, August 19th, 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.! The evening will feature tours of the newly renovated facility, planetarium shows, telescope viewing, Lolly the Trolley rides, space-themed tunes, balloon sculptures, origami art, face painting, spray at demonstrations, make-n-take craft projects, field games, a hot dog dinner, Geauga County Public Library’s Fun Bus, and an outdoor showing of the movie “WALL-E” complete with popcorn and lemonade at dark. Best of all, all is absolutely FREE to enjoy!
Another very special event happens just two days later overhead, when the moon will cover up the sun during Ohio’s first solar eclipse in years on Monday, August 21st, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visit Observatory Park for this phenomenon to try out several methods of safe solar viewing and hands-on activities, plus make a model eclipse. Maximum eclipse happens about 2:30 p.m.
Two other events for the calendar:
Come stay the night on Saturday, August 12th, 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 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.
Then register for Dancing Under the Stars on Saturday, September 2nd, 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For just $10.00, get instruction and demos from professionals from Fred Astaire Dancing Studio in Chagrin Falls till 8:00 p.m., followed by open-floor dancing and light snacks.
Once Nassau is open, Nassau night sky viewing will allow for public use of its newly restored 36” telescope on Saturdays, August 26th, September 9th, September 16th and September 23rd, 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Nassau open houses are also scheduled for Sundays, August 27th, September 10th and September 24th, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Some age groups get extra-special access this summer season. Kids ages 3-5 can sign up to enjoy the first installment of the new Astrotots series, about animals in space, on Wednesday, August 23rd, and Saturday, August 26th; while seniors get Senior Day on Thursday, August 17th, and Geauga Walkers (for active seniors) on Tuesday, September 5th. Registration is required for Astrotots and Senior Day at Geauga Park District or 440-286-9516.
Like every season, a special program is scheduled for the full moon on Monday, August 7th (The Sturgeon Moon), from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., and hour-long Friday programs will offer glimpses into the upcoming partial solar eclipse on August 11th and the Cassini Space Probe on September 8th and 22nd, all 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Finally, park buildings are open on select Saturday nights 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. for night sky viewing with park telescopes and Sunday afternoons 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for safe solar viewing and The Sky Tonight Planetarium Show at 2:00 p.m. Visit Geauga Park District for specific dates and times; to learn more about Observatory Park, visit .
For more on Geauga Park District offerings, please call 440-286-9516 or visit us online at Geauga Park District, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
