Northern Michigan Events: Ever wonder where and when to gaze upon the wondrous Northern Lights? The Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Emmet County will hold a workshop at 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 25th to teach interested skywatchers just that!
Anyone who has witnessed an Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, knows what a dramatic, ephemeral, unpredictable sky phenomenon it is. Due to its awe-inspiring and elusive nature, there is high demand for information about when to see the Northern Lights. In response, Dark Sky Park is offering a stellar program titled "The Northern Lights: A Northern Michigan Experience." The program will include a discussion of the latest research when they occur, how to best photograph them, where the best viewing spots are, and what the mystery is behind them.
Please note: Because there is no way to predict the Aurora Borealis, this program is not intended to infer that the Northern Lights will be visible on this evening. Instead, the program is intended to offer insight and background, from both scientific and mythological perspectives, about what causes the celestial phenomenon. Also, a slideshow of some magnificent Northern Lights activity in Northern Michigan and the UP will be presented.
The Headlands Park in Emmet County was recognized as an International Dark Sky Park (IDSPark) just over a year ago, in early May 2011. "The IDSParks program's goal is to identify and honor protected public lands with exceptional commitment to, and success in implementing, the ideals of natural night preservation and/or restoration" (darksky.org). The Headlands property is the sixth park in the United States with this prestigious title, and the ninth in the world. Since its recognition, the Michigan House and Senate have approved the "Dark Sky Coast" bill, which will protect the night sky above another 21,000 acres of state forest land in Emmet County.
Find information on this program and other Dark Sky Park events in Northern Michigan at emmetcounty.org.
Good to see that awareness of this area is being raised. We sell these types of holidays and there is definitely an increase in interest in these holidays. The photography element of it is definitely worth knowing about to ensure that you get the best pictures and with this year being the solar maximum with NASA predicting the increase in Solar Activity generating spectacular displays it is something work looking into. Just a quick bit of promotion, if you want to see them in Europe, visit our site on http://www.northern-lights-tours.co.uk, hopefully you will find something that interests you.