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Dark sky
Dark sky
Michigan boasts stunning dark sky locations, perfect for stargazing. Escape light pollution and witness a sky brimming with stars, thanks to these incredible spots. And don't forget the Upper Peninsula – it offers some truly exceptional night sky viewing opportunities!
Dark sky parks in Michigan state parks
Unveil the wonders of the night sky! Explore designated dark sky preserves, open 24 hours. These specially protected areas, marked with signage, can be found:
- Lake Hudson Recreation Area (Lenawee County)
- Negwegon State Park (Alcona County) - No winter plowing.
- Port Crescent State Park (Huron County) - No winter plowing, visitors can hike from the parking lot to the preserve.
- Rockport Recreation Area (Presque Isle County) - Plowed in the winter.
- Thompson's Harbor State Park (Presque Isle County) - Plowed in the winter.
- Wilderness State Park (Emmet County) - No winter plowing; however, area near park headquarters is plowed.
* To take full advantage of your night sky experience, make your Michigan state park camping reservation at MiDNRReservations.com.
International dark sky parks in Michigan
- Headlands Dark Sky Park (Emmet County park)
- Keweenaw Dark Sky Park (Keweenaw County)
- Dr. T.K. Lawless Park (Cass County park)
International dark sky sanctuaries in Michigan
Other stargazing opportunities
International Dark Sky Week
International Dark Sky Week, which takes place each spring, is hosted by the International Dark-Sky Association to encourage discovery of the night sky. The week-long event promotes worldwide stargazing opportunities and the negative impacts of light pollution.
The Northern Lights
The Northern Lights are created by collisions between electrically charged particles from the sun that enter the Earth's atmosphere. Clear, winter nights provide the best viewing, so gazing upward and toward the north might just provide you with that outdoor experience you've been waiting for. They are best seen late August through early April.
2024 meteor showers
- Quadrantids: Jan. 3–4
- Lyrids: April 21–22
- Eta Aquarids: May 4–5
- Delta Aquarids: July 29-30
- Perseids: Aug. 11–13
- Draconids: Oct. 8–9
- Orionid: Oct. 21–22
- Northern Taurids: Nov. 8-9
- Leonids: Nov. 17-18
- Andromedids: Nov. 25–27
- Geminids: Dec. 13–14
- Ursids: Dec. 21–22
The Perseid meteor shower is one of the biggest astronomical events of the year, taking place each August.
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