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Join rangers and members of DarkSky Missouri for a special Dark Sky Festival! This two-day event takes place at Big Spring, one of the darkest locations in the Midwest. Festivities begin on Friday at 4 pm, and activities run intermittently until 11 pm on Saturday. Visit the DarkSky Missouri website (https://www.darkskymissouri.org/) for more information!Friday Activities
4:00 PM - Registration table opens.
5:00 - 6:00 PM - Ranger Shaun Heise presents a "Dark Skies" program.
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM - Program: What We Will Be Observing Tonight and How to Observe
Speakers: Amateur Astronomers
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM - Self-Guided Tour of Observing Field
8:00 PM – 8:30 PM - Program: Constellation Tour
Speaker: Bruce McMath, DarkSky Arkansas
8:30 PM – 11:00 PM - Informal dark sky viewing begins with an introduction to stars/constellations likely to be seen. Viewing lasts until 10 pm but can extend later if wanted. Telescopes may be set up anytime in the afternoon.
Saturday Activities
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM - Program: Nature Walk
Leader: Katherine Bouska, Wildlife Biologist at MDC
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM - Program: River Safety and Dry Land Basics
Speaker: Ozark Riverways Foundation
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM - BREAK/Visit Display Booths
1:00 PM – 1:45 PM - Program: Hellbender Blues in the Ozarks
Speakers: Loring Bullard, DarkSky Missouri
1:45 PM – 2:30 PM - Program: Blinded by the Light, Artificial Light at Night, and Bats
Speakers: DeAnn Gregory, DarkSky Missouri and Katherine Bouska, Wildlife Biologist at MDC
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM - Break
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM - Program: Saving an American Treasurer – The Ozark Chinquapin
Speaker: Steve Bost, Ozark Chinquapin Foundation
3:45 PM – 4:30 PM - Program: Echoes of the Night
Speaker: Don Ficken, DarkSky Missouri and Lights Out Heartland
4:30 PM – 4:45 PM - Door Prize Giveaway
4:45 PM – 7:00 PM - Dinner Break
7:00 PM – 7:15 PM - Program: What We Will Be Observing Tonight and How to Observe
Speakers: Amateur Astronomers
7:15 PM – 8:00 PM - Self-Guided Tour of Observing Field
8:00 PM – 8:30 PM - Program: Constellation Tour
Speaker: Bruce McMath, DarkSky Arkansas
8:30 PM – 11:00 PM - Formal “Star Party” begins with an introduction to stars/constellations likely to be seen. Star Party lasts until 11 pm but can extend later if wanted.
For more information, visit the DarkSky website at https://www.darkskymissouri.org/
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Big Spring near Van Buren, MO, Van Buren, United States
