If you've ever looked up on a clear, moonless night far from city lights, you know the awe-inspiring power of a star-filled sky. For those who find wonder in the twinkle of distant stars and the shimmer of the Milky Way, planning a trip specifically around stargazing can be an extraordinary experience. Here's your complete guide to celestial events in Cook County and when to plan your next adventure! 

 

What are Meteor Showers?  They occur when Earth passes through the debris trail of a comet or asteroid. These tiny bits of space rock burn up in our atmosphere, producing beautiful streaks of light known as "shooting stars."

  • Two meteor showers worth planning a trip around:  

 

What are Solstices & Equinoxes? Earth’s tilted axis is the reason for the seasons. Solstices mark the longest and shortest days of the year, it is also when the sun is either at its most northerly or southerly location in relation to the equator. Equinoxes signal days and nights of equal length. Join us for the Summer Solstice and Wooden Boat Festival to celebrate the longest days of the year!

  • Summer Solstice: June 20th, 2024  

  • Fall Equinox: September 22nd, 2024

  • Winter Solstice: December 21st, 2024

  • Spring Equinox: March 20th, 2025

 

What are Eclipses? A Solar Eclipse happens when the moon blocks the sun’s light, casting a shadow on Earth. A Lunar eclipse is when Earth blocks sunlight from reaching the moon, casting a reddish shadow on the surface.

  • Upcoming Solar Eclipses:

    • September 18th, 2024 Partial Lunar Eclipse

    • October 2nd, 2024 Annular Solar Eclipse

    • March 29th, 2025 Partial Solar Eclipse 

    • September 21st, 2025 Partial Solar Eclipse

  • Upcoming Lunar Eclipses:

    • March 14th, 2025 Complete Lunar Eclipse

    • September 7th, 2025 Complete Lunar Eclipse


 

What are Full Moons? A full moon occurs when the Sun, Earth, and Moon perfectly align, fully illuminating the side of the moon facing Earth.  View the full moon at Drury Lane Books surrounded by friends and literature at the Full Moon Reading or, for those with an adventurous spirit, go on a moonlight stroll through the forest. 

Viewing Dates 2024: 

  • May 23rd, 2024- Flower Moon

  • July, 21st, 2024- Buck Moon

  • August 19th, 2024- Sturgeon Moon

  • September 18th, 2024- Full Corn Supermoon

  • October 17th, 2024- Hunter’s Supermoon

  • November 15th, 2024- Beaver Supermoon

  • December 15th, 2024- Cold Moon

Viewing Dates 2025:

  • January 13th, 2025- Wolf Moon

  • February 12th, 2025- Snow Moon

  • March 14th, 2025- Worm Moon

  • April 13th, 2025- Pink Moon

  • May 12th, 2025- Flower Moon

  • June 11th, 2025- Strawberry Moon

  • July 10th, 2025- Buck Moon

  • August 9th, 2025- Sturgeon Moon

  • September 9th, 2025- Full Corn Moon 

  • October 7th, 2025- Hunter's Supermoon

  • November 5th, 2025- Beaver Supermoon

  • December 4th, 2025- Cold Supermoon

 

What are New Moon Nights? A new moon starts immediately after a Full Moon occurs. It takes anywhere between 13 to 15 days following a Full Moon. New Moon nights are particularly wonderful opportunities for stargazing. With the moon not visible in the night sky and no moonlight to wash out the fainter stars and other celestial objects, the ability to seeing stars, Northern Lights and the Milky way increases because of the clarity of the night sky during new moon nights.

 

What are Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)? Charged particles from the sun excite atoms in our atmosphere, causing them to emit colorful light. The Dark Sky Caravan comes through once annually to educate and demonstrate how to view the northern lights. 

  • Planning and Preparation:

    • Best viewing times occur in late fall and winter 

    • Click here to learn how to capture the magic of the Northern Lights!

    • Click here to plan your Northern Lights driving route today! 

    • Any exposure to artificial light may disrupt your night vision and could jeopardize your chance to see the northern lights.

    • Join us for our annual Dark Sky Festival! 

 

It's the very unpredictability of the northern lights – the thrill of not knowing when or if they will appear – that makes witnessing them such a magical experience!
 

Ready to Escape?

Planning a trip around the night sky is a unique and rewarding experience. With a little preparation and a sense of wonder, you'll unlock a whole new dimension of travel. The universe awaits! Ready to book a trip? Click here to view lodging options in Cook County, Minnesota! Find ideas to keep you busy leading up to your dark sky adventure and check out our event calendar and see what's going on around town!