Geauga Park District
Observatory Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Montville Township, and naturalist (“Astro-Nat”) Chris Mentrek is eager to show guests around the International Dark Sky Park during the following special programs all season long
For more information on these programs, contact the park district at 440-286-9516 or visit them online at www.geaugaparkdistrict.org.
Winter At Observatory Park
Observatory Park is open daily from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Montville Township, and naturalist (“Astro-Nat”) Chris Mentrek is eager to show guests around the International Dark Sky Park during the following special programs all season long.
The historic Nassau Astronomical Station at 10350 Clay St., will host Nassau Night Sky Viewings on Saturdays, Jan. 13 and 27, Feb. 10, 17 and 24, and March 10 and 24, all from 7-11 p.m. If conditions aren’t favorable, enjoy a planetarium show instead at the Robert McCullough Science Center. Members of the Chagrin Valley Astronomical Society participate on Feb. 17.
Back at the main campus at 10610 Clay St., enjoy full moon programs on Jan. 2 (the wolf moon), from 7-8 p.m.; and March 1 (the worm moon), from 7-8 p.m.
End January with a partial lunar eclipse on Jan. 31. Using telescopes for an early-morning glimpse of Earth’s shadow darkening the “blue moon” from 6:30-8 a.m. Cloudy skies will cancel this program; call the Observatory Park hotline, 440-279-0820, for notice.
During Bring In Your Telescope on Feb. 24 from 3-5 p.m., park district staff will help guests get the most enjoyable astronomy experience out of their equipment and offer a few maintenance tips.
Sign up for the Full Moon Rising glass painting workshop on March 30, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., to paint a rising moon motif on a set of two drinking glasses, which may be used as candle holders, with Jeannie Carder Shimek from Artifacts Gift Studio. A $30 fee covers all materials and refreshments, including non-alcoholic beverages; participants may also bring their own beverage of choice.
Scouting opportunities return to Observatory Park on Jan. 27 – Wolf Cub Scout Paws on the Path from 2-3:30 p.m. and Cadette Girl Scouts Night Owl Badge from 6-8 p.m.; and Feb. 10 – Bear Cub Scouts Fur, Feathers & Ferns Core Adventure from 2-3:30 p.m. and Senior & Ambassador Girl Scouts Astronomy Night from 6-8 p.m.
Hands-on astronomy education will be offered during hour-long programs Fridays, 7-8 p.m.: Jan. 12 and 26 – Plants in Space; Feb. 9 and 23 – Mapping the Milky Way; and March 9 and 23 – Weather Satellites & How To Use Them, followed by night sky until 11 p.m. if weather permits.
Astro-Nat Chris will open the Robert McCullough Science Center and Oberle Observatory on Sundays, Jan. 14 and 28, Feb. 11 and 25, and March 11 and 25, , from 1-4 p.m., all featuring The Sky Tonight Planetarium Shows at 2 p.m.
Registration is required for the Scouting programs and glass painting workshop. Learn more about Observatory Park any time of day or night online at http://bit.ly/gpdop.
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