Viewing the Starry Skies

City of Superior Mayor Jim Paine reads the proclamation, declaring Celebrate the Night Sky Week.

Thousands of stars, planets, the Moon, satellites, the International Space Station and Mayor Jim Paine showed up at our star party on September 20. The Friends of the Lake Superior Reserve (FOLSR) partnered with Starry Skies North, DarkSky Wisconsin, Arrowhead Astronomical Society, and the City of Superior in a kickoff to Celebrate the Night Sky Week 2024. Astronomy experts brought various telescopes to Barker’s Island and gave demonstrations to an estimated 50 community members about constellations, planets, and stars in galaxies “far, far, away…”

The clear skies gave newbie and expert astronomers alike the chance to witness the remnants of the September Super Blood Moon rising over Minnesota Point, the planet Saturn with its famous rings, and plenty of the constellations visible at this time of year. Mayor Paine from the City of Superior gave a proclamation for Celebrate the Night Sky Week and talked about the city’s energy-efficient lighting and the best city parks for viewing the night sky.

We’ll be organizing more star parties and events in 2025. Visit folsr.org to keep up-to-date on our activities.

Article by Callie Grones, edited by Sharon Moen

Photos by Callie Grones