Boreal Stargazing Week
FEBRUARY 19 - 24, 2023
For generations, humans have looked to the stars for inspiration and connection. Located along the Minnesota-Canadian border is a rare sanctuary for starry skies. Voyageurs National Park and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota make up one of the largest Dark Sky Regions in the world. Boreal Stargazing Week celebrates the importance of dark skies through virtual school programs and community events. Enjoy snowshoe programs, telescope sessions, and live conversations with amateur astronomers.
Our first-ever Boreal Stargazing Week captivated 9,000+ students and families with Minnesota star-bright skies. Thank you to all who celebrated with us!
Boreal Stargazing Week Recordings
Virtual Kickoff to Boreal Stargazing Week - 20 minutes
View the pre-recorded video intro at this link.
Passcode: stargazing23!
Voyageurs Conservancy and Friends of the Boundary Waters kickoff Boreal Stargazing week with an opportunity for students to learn more about each of these protected lands that make up the International Dark Sky zone in Northern Minnesota. Prepare for the week of presentations by exploring what you already know about dark skies, why they are important, and how we can protect them.
Dark Sky STEM Challenge at Voyageurs National Park - 48 minutes
https://www.expeditionsineducation.org/voyageurs.html
Expeditions in Education, Voyageurs Conservancy and the National Park Service are LIVE on the ice in Voyageurs National Park! Students will learn about the spectacular resources at Minnesota’s national park and engineer their own solutions to preserve the night sky.
Boreal Wonders in the Boundary Waters: An Ojibwe Perspective on the Night Sky - 72 minutes
Ojibwe photographer Travis Novitsky and Ojibwe artist, author and storyteller Carl Gawboy share their experiences and stories on the wonders of the night sky.
Protect the Night: Light Pollution with Voyageurs Conservancy and “Astro” Bob - 60 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/live/Ij82cbCnXW4?feature=share&t=3
Light pollution is the invasion of night skies by artificial light. It is a growing issue with several far reaching adverse effects. Learn more about the importance of night sky preservation and learn about ways that we can combat light pollution.
Astro Bob brings us on an exploration of winter night skies. We will review easy-to-find objects such as planets, prominent bright stars, and other celestial objects so that you can explore the night sky on your own!
Thank You to our Supporters
Funding support for Boreal Stargazing Week was generously provided by the National Park Foundation and the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR).
Why are we celebrating?
For generations, humans have looked to the stars for inspiration and connection. Located along the Minnesota-Canadian border is a rare sanctuary for starry skies. Voyageurs National Park and Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in Northern Minnesota make up one of the largest Dark Sky Regions in the world.
The Boreal Stargazing Week celebrates the importance of dark skies through virtual school programs and community events. Enjoy snowshoe programs, telescope sessions, and live conversations with amateur astronomers. Join us for a free program and discover the wilderness above your head.
Photo by Will Schultz