3:30 pm

We are thrilled to have Todd Burlet kicking off the Superior Dark Sky Experience.  Todd is president of the Starry Skies North chapter of DarkSky International. Join Todd as he explores how light pollution affects pretty much everyone and everything, then decide if the impacts on everything from blueberries to walleyes and algae to good ZZZ’s makes you a believer too.

4:30 pm

Join David Stieler from Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center for an engaging look at the bats of our region. Learn about their unique adaptations, the vital role they play in healthy ecosystems, and how preserving dark night skies helps protect these remarkable nocturnal creatures.

5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

The Friends of Finland will be serving up some yummy food between 5 and 7 pm.

Note that beverages will be available during the entire event.

5:15 pm Indoor Presentation – 7:30 pm Outdoor Banding

Owls of the North Woods with David Grosshuesch
The north shore of Lake Superior is a major migration corridor for birds, including the Northern Saw-whet owl.  However, the owl migration is typically unseen as they migrate at night.  Following a 30 minute presentation, we will be going outside to capture and band Northern Saw-whet owls. We will be using a playback system to broadcast the call of the Northern Saw-whet owl to lure them into mist nets.  We will check nets every 30-45 minutes to extract any owls, at which point we’ll band them and collect some additional information (e.g. age and sex) before releasing them to continue their journey south.

6:00 pm
Meeting Room

Astro Bob (Bob King), is a photographer, writer and amateur astronomer living in Duluth, MN. He released his third book, “Magnificent Aurora: Your complete guide to Nature’s Greatest Light Show” in 2024. Bob will share his passion and knowledge about star gazing, our solar system, constellations, northern lights and more.

700 pm

Replay of Friday’s Zoom session with Carl Gawboy.

Ojibwe artist, historian, and retired college professor Carl Gawboy explores seasonal constellations, their role in Ojibwe life, and his interpretation of the Hegman Lake Pictographs. A recorded Zoom talk blending Indigenous knowledge, art, and astronomy.

7:15 pm
Meeting Room

Learn how to photograph the stars—and why protecting dark skies matters.

Ever wonder how photographers capture stunning images of the Milky Way, star trails, or deep space from Earth? In this beginner-friendly session, you’ll learn the essentials of astrophotography, including what gear you need, how to plan your shots, and the camera settings that make stars shine.

But great astrophotography doesn’t just rely on good equipment—it depends on dark, unpolluted skies. This talk will show how light pollution affects night photography and why preserving our night skies is essential not just for stargazers, but for artists, scientists, and nature itself. Whether you’re using a DSLR, mirrorless camera (or even a smartphone), you’ll leave inspired and ready to start capturing the cosmos—right from your own backyard or favorite dark sky site.

Immediately following Astrophotography 101

Practice the basics learned in the classroom.  Limited to 10 participants. 

Experience Level: Beginners

Required Equipment: 

• DSLR or Mirrorless camera
• Fast and wide lens.  Focal length in the range of 14mm – 24mm, with a max aperture of f/2.8 or faster.  (f/4.0 CAN be used, but the quality with be significantly reduced.)
• Stable tripod with ball head
• Headlamp with RED light option
• Batteries / memory card for camera

All Day/Evening 

Learn about the night sky in the Bell Museum’s mobile planetarium, the ExploraDome.  Shows are about 30 minutes long and will run all throughout the event.

8:00 pm 
Ballfield

View objects in our solar system, the Milky Way, and beyond through optical and digital telescopes. Astro Bob and local astronomers will guide you with a laser tour of constellations and deep-sky objects, helping you impress your family and friends later. 

What to Bring:

• Red Flashlight: Essential for protecting your night vision. White lights are not allowed in the telescope viewing area.
• Binoculars: Enhance your view of the stars and constellations. Bring your telescope if you have one.
• Chair and Blanket: Get comfortable as you gaze at the heavens. A blanket will help keep you warm.

8:00 pm 
Explore the night in a new way with guided night vision stargazing with Low Light Experiences, LLC.

8:00 pm
Gather around the warm bonfire for a cozy evening of s’mores and live music by Robin Sunquiet. Enjoy great tunes, tasty treats, and good company under the stars!

All Day/Evening

Kid’s STEM & Craft Activities will be available in the lobby.