Dark Sky Carvan

August 10 – 17, 2019

The Marshall W. Alworth Planetarium is hitting the road from the North Shore to the end of the Gunflint Trail Aug. 10-17. This traveling event will coincide with the annual Perseid Meteor shower and a full moon, perfect for celebrating the 50th anniversary of the moon landing through a telescope.

The mobile GeoDome Theater creates an immersive learning environment that is interactive and engaging. University of Minnesota Duluth staff and students will lead attendees through a dynamic digital space exploration experience. Accompanying the planetarium will be telescopes offering live sky viewing with consultation.

All events are free, with daily programming that will run from 6 p.m. – 10:30 p.m, except where noted. 

Planetarium shows will be offered on the half hour. In the event of cloudy skies, programming will be limited to the planetarium.

Dates & Locations:

Saturday, August 10 Grand Portage State Park Visitor Center, Grand Portage (hours 1 p.m.- 5 p.m.)

Monday, August 12 Tettegouche Visitor Center, Silver Bay 

Tuesday, August 13 Tettegouche Visitor Center, Silver Bay 

Wednesday, August 14 Voyageur Brewing Company, Grand Marais

Thursday, August 15 Voyageur Brewing Company, Grand Marais 

Friday, August 16 Seagull Lake Community Center, upper Gunflint Trail

Saturday, August 17 Seagull Lake Community Center, upper Gunflint Trail

The end of the tour wraps up with two nights at the end of the Gunflint Trail – known for its pure dark sky with a reading of a class 1 on the Bortle scale, which translates into an excellent dark sky with minimal light pollution.

The Dark Sky Caravan is the prequel to the Dark Sky Festival held in Grand Marais, December 13-14, 2019. This event will be centered around celebrating the night sky with a lineup of presenters, photographers, and star story tellers creating an immersive experience for longtime star gazers and novices. Mark your calendar.

For more information: https://www.visitcookcounty.com/event/dark-sky-festival/

Please join us!

Sponsored by

University of Minnesota Duluth in cooperation with:

Arrowhead Astronomical Society

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

Gunflint Trail Historical Society – Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center

Superior National Forest

Visit Cook County

Voyageur Brewing