Midnight Madness

8/7/2021 | Echo Bluff State Park | Eminence, MO

Join us at the "sky porch" on the bluff top at Echo Bluff State Park to view the beautiful night sky.

This event will start in the twilight with a naked-eye tour of the constellations led by Emily Ficker, a former ranger at Arches National Park. She'll explain the history of different cultures' sky stories, as well as how the stars were used for navigation and more. As the night progresses, Emily will point out additional objects and answer any questions about the history or storytelling associated with stars.

Once the sky darkens, we'll use telescopes and binoculars from the Dent County Astronomers to see images your unaided eye cannot. You'll get close-up views of gas clouds, star clusters, infant stars, dying stars and double stars.

Late in the event, we'll see the big, bright planets: Jupiter (and four of its moons) and Saturn (and its rings) after they climb higher in the sky. We might even see a meteor or two flash across the sky.

Throughout the event, you'll be able to see star constellations using your eyes alone. And the biggest bonus will be the constant presence of the Milky Way, our home galaxy, arcing overhead. The "sky porch" vantage point provides a unique and spectacular view of the galaxy arching across the sky.

We ask our visitors to comply with park and state rules regarding COVID-19 precautions and restrictions. We also ask visitors to comply with our recommendations to minimize bright lights at our event to help everyone enjoy the best views of the rare night sky around Echo Bluff.

We need clear, dry skies to allow us to deliver the event and protect our equipment. Threats of rain or clouds could force us to cancel the event.

For more information, contact Connie at 573-751-1224 or connie.weber@dnr.mo.gov.

Event Time: 9 p.m. - 12:30 a.m.