Geauga Park District’s Observatory Park in Montville Township is open daily 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. now through Memorial Day, and Naturalist (“Astro-Nat”) Chris Mentrek and other naturalist staff are eager to show you around your International Dark Sky Park during these upcoming programs this fall.
Front and center is the Transit of Mercury, a cool astronomical event happening on Monday, November 11th. Drop in between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. during this rare “mini-eclipse” to try to catch a glimpse of this seldom-seen planet as it crosses between Earth and the sun! (Please note, we’ll cancel if weather prevents us from viewing the sun.)
Guided night sky viewing will be held using the huge research-grade telescope at our Nassau Astronomical Station these Saturdays, 7:00 to 11:00 p.m.:
- October 12th
- October 26th
- November 9th
- November 23rd
- December 14th
- December 28th (naturalist-led)
- as well as October 19th and November 16th (Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society volunteer-led).
Take in hour-long, hands-on astronomy education these Fridays, 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., followed by night sky till 11:00 p.m. if weather permits:
- October 11th
- October 25th (Ancient American Skywatchers)
- November 8th
- November 22nd (The Shape of the Earth)
- December 13th
- December 27th (Track a Meteor).
Full moon programs:
- Sunday, October 13th (The Buck Moon)
- Thursday, November 12 (The Beaver Moon)
- Thursday, December 12 (The Black Bear Moon).
Kids ages 3-5 can sign up to enjoy Astrotots: Meet Mars, about Mars’ mountains, moons and many myths, happening Friday, October 18th, and Saturday, October 19th, and young people ages 5 to 12 who are home-schooled can sign up for Homeschool Days: Awesome Astronomy on Friday, November 8th. Register for these soon at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org 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.:
- October 27th
- December 29th
Want to learn more about Observatory Park? Visit our website any time day or night at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org. We look forward to seeing you!
For more on Geauga Park District offerings, please call 440-286-9516 or visit Geauga Park District online via www.geaugaparkdistrict.org, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.
