5th Annual Acadia Night Sky Festival

The Acadia Night Sky Festival is going on now in Bar Harbor. A perfect event for the whole family with numerous events all weekend long with something for everyone. What makes Acadia stars spacial you ask? Rapid loss of dark skies to light pollution receives national recognition and Maine is increasingly referred to as some place “that still has stars.” Maine’s spectacular rocky coast is home to Acadia National Park, and some of the last pristine, star-filled night skies in the eastern United States. Located in the communities surrounding Acadia National Park, the Acadia Night Sky Festival features many art, music, science, poetry, and stargazing events.

I spoke with Jennifer Wright, the Event's Coordinator with the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce, and this is what she had to say about the 5th Annual Acadia Night Sky Festival!

Here's What's On Tap

Friday, September 27th

2:00pm & 4:00 p.m. Starlab Planetarium MDI YMCA, 21 Park Street, Bar Harbor

Learn about the night sky inside a portable planetarium. Programs limited to 60 people every hour, with shows at 2pm and 4pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Entry is offered on a first-come first-serve basis.

3:00-4:00 p.m. Virtual Moon Tour MDI YMCA, 21 Park Street, Bar Harbor

Acadia National Park Astronomy Volunteer Bob Reichman presents a geological tour of the moon’s surface, featuring great close-up photos from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. Learn about lunar impact craters and ejecta, cracks, lava channels, and the moon’s orbit, phases and its impact on Earth’s tides.

4:00-6:00 p.m. Gallery Opening: Art in Space Blum Gallery, COA, 105 Eden Street, Bar Harbor

Come enjoy an opening presentation of night sky inspired artwork by Jane Runyeon and Josh Simpson, joined by Josh’s wife, NASA astronaut Cady Coleman. As they discuss the “Art in Space”.

6:30-9:00 p.m. Celestial Cinema Village Green, corner of Main St & Mt. Desert St, Bar Harbor

Bring your picnic dinner and enjoy a family space film under the stars. This year featuring “Monsters vs. Aliens”. Free popcorn provided by Camden National Bank.

Weather-permitting, call 207-200-1536 for event updates.

6:30-9:30 p.m. Photography Workshop with Bob Thayer Acadia National Park, MDI

Capture the night sky with local photographer and naturalist Bob Thayer. This workshop is intended for experienced digital photographers with their own equipment. $45/person. Reservations are required via http://ansf9-27-13photo.eventbrite.com Weather-permitting, call 207-200-1536 for event updates.

6:30-7:30pm –Astronomy 101 Common Good Soup Kitchen, 566 Seawall Road, Southwest Harbor

“Astronomy 101″ a presentation by Ron Thompson, takes you from the “Big Bang”, up through to where we are today in this magnificent Universe. We’ll travel through the far reaches of Space, near the edge of time, to our Galaxy and the Solar System we live in today on our “Blue Marble” called Earth. We’ll talk about the Sun, Our Star, the Planets and Deep Space objects we can view using our eyes and through binoculars or telescopes. You will get some insight on how to observe the night sky using various tools and sky charts. Join us for a 13.5 billion year journey though space and time. The cafe will be open for dinner 5:30-7:30pm, for a suggested donation of $7/person, $12/couple, and $15/family. For Café information, call 207-244-3007.

6:30-9:00 p.m. Night Sky “Under the Stars” Boat Cruise Bar Harbor Whale Watch, 1 West Street, Bar Harbor

Join us on the 112′ jet -powered catamaran Friendship Five for a night-time boat cruise. As the sun sets we will travel out among the islands of the bay and along the shores of what the Wabanaki Indians called “Pemetic” (MDI). From using constellations in navigation and storytelling, to the supernatural healing powers of the elusive Star People, the Wabanaki have worked with the stars for over 12,000 years. Abbe Museum Educator George Neptune will share information and stories about the Passamaquoddy and their relationship with the stars. Naturalist Zack Klyver will provide a short presentation on the “Human History of Celestial Navigation”. The boat when then pick up speed and we will enjoy the darkening night-sky while listening to a selection of celestial and classical themed music including the theme to Superman, ET, Bolero by Ravel and Star Wars by John Williams. We then turn our attention to the night sky from the top of the boat with local expert naturalist and amateur astronomer Lynn Havsall, who will use a laser pointer to identify constellations, planets, moons, and distant stars. We will learn stories behind the constellations and many wonderful facts about the amazing universe we live in. Lynn’s presentation has been an annual huge hit with everyone onboard. Full Galley and Bar. Limited to 125 passengers. $26 Adults, $15 Juniors (14 and under). Rain date will be Sunday, September 29. To reserve now call 207-288-2386 or 1-800-942-5374. Weather-permitting, call 207-200-1536 for event updates.

To reserve now call 207-288-2386 or 1-800-942-5374.

7:00-9:00 p.m. Night Climb at Otter Cliff Acadia National Park

Acadia Mountain Guides will provide all the proper climbing equipment and instruction. Participants should bring their own headlamps. For reservations, please call 888-232-9559

8:00-10:00 p.m. – Star Party at Seawall Acadia National Park, Seawall Picnic Area, Route 102A, Southwest Harbor

Rangers, volunteers, and local astronomers will point out constellations and other night sky features visible with the naked eye, binoculars, and through telescopes. Dress warmly and please minimize flashlight use to preserve night vision. Weather-permitting, call 207-200-1536 for event updates.

Saturday, September 28th

11:00am-2:00 p.m. - Celebration of the Sun Acadia National Park, Sieur de Monts Nature Center, Bar Harbor

A variety of family friendly activities will challenge you to see the sun in a whole new way. Weather permitting; observe features of our closest star though equipment specifically designed for safe solar viewing. Weather-permitting, call 207-200-1536 for event updates.

1:00-3:00 p.m. – Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters Abbe Museum, 26 Mt. Desert St, BarHarbor

This program will begin with a reading of Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters, a children’s book about the Micmac tale that tells of the creation of what is now known as “the Big Dipper.” Museum Educator George Neptune will be teaching children how to make woven paper stars—inspired by a Wabanaki craft! Choose your own colors to weave a beautiful star to decorate and take home at the end of the day. Free and open to the public. Call 207-288-3519.

1:00pm & 3:00 p.m. Starlab Planetarium MDI YMCA, 21 Park Street, Bar Harbor

Learn about the night sky inside a portable planetarium. Programs limited to 60 people every hour, with shows at 1pm and 3pm. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Entry to shows is on a first-come first-serve basis.

2:00-3:00 p.m. Greeks, Gears and the Universe MDI YMCA, 21 Park Street, Bar Harbor

Acadia National Park Astronomy Volunteer Jon Thomas presents a program about a geared mechanism built more than 2000 years ago that could show and predict the motion of the Sun and Moon among the stars, including lunar phases and eclipses. The Antikythera mechanism was discovered in 1901 in a shipwreck and only recently has been studied in detail to reveal its incredible workings and the extraordinary knowledge of the universe possessed by its creators.

2:00-3:00 p.m. Film: Solarmax Reel Pizza Cinerama, 33 Kennebec Place, Bar Harbor

This film tells the story of humankind’s struggle to understand the sun. $3/adults, children under 16 free.

3:00-4:00 p.m. Astronomy 101 Jesup Memorial Library, 34 Mt. Desert St., Bar Harbor

3:00-4:00 p.m. Stars and Stories of the Stars Jesup Memorial Library, 34 Mt. Desert St., Bar Harbor

Join us at the library for songs and stories about the sun and stars and moon. For kids 7 and younger. Star-themed refreshments served!

3:00-4:00 p.m. Stories in the Sky: Hercules, Orion, Perseus and More! Jesup Memorial Library, 34 Mt. Desert St., Bar Harbor

The stars tell many stories. Join us at the library to explore the tales and myths that are charted in the stars, and maybe even write your own. Star-themed refreshments served! For kids 8 and older.

4:00-5:00 p.m. Meet the Telescopes Jesup Memorial Library, 34 Mt. Desert St., Bar Harbor

Acadia National Park Astronomy Volunteer Bert Probst presents an overview of different types of telescopes and their pros and cons. Program will conclude with time for questions and hands-on practice with each of the three main varieties of telescope.

6:00-7:00 p.m. - Rick Hauck: Human Spaceflight—Where Have We Been and Where are We Going?” Jackson Laboratory Auditorium, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor

Join former Astronaut, Captain Rick Hauck as he discusses both the past and future of human spaceflight–’In the 60′s and 70′s the United States celebrated the success of the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, highlighted by the mission of Apollo 11 and its crew of Collins, Aldrin and Armstrong, the latter two stepping on the moon. During the next four decades the space shuttle flew 135 flights before its retirement in 2011. In May 2012, the first commercially built and operated rocket docked with the International Space Station (ISS), and in June of this year the Chinese sent three “taikonauts” to their own orbiting space station. Meanwhile NASA is paying the Russians $60 million to launch each of our astronauts to the ISS. What (if anything) is next for the United States manned spaceflight program?’ Call 207-801-2566, ext.802 for more information.

6:30pm-8pm – Possessomuk Ckuwaponahkik: Stars of the Dawnland

Abbe Museum, Sieur du Monts Spring, Acadia National Park
The Wabanaki have relied on the land and water of this area for 12,000 years—but how would you describe their relationship to the sky? From using constellations in navigation and storytelling to the supernatural healing powers of the elusive Star People, the Wabanaki have many stories to explain the distant world above us. Join Museum Educator George Neptune for this outdoor program just after sunset. Free and Open to the Public. Call 207-288-3519.

6:30-9:30 p.m. Photography Workshop with Bob Thayer Acadia National Park, MDI

Capture the night sky with local photographer and naturalist Bob Thayer. This workshop is intended for experienced digital photographers with their own equipment. $45/person. Reservations are required via http://ansf9-28-13.eventbrite.com Weather-permitting, call 207-200-1536 for event updates.

8:00-10:00 p.m. – Star Party on Cadillac Mountain Acadia National Park, Cadillac Summit (Shuttle departs from Hulls Cove Visitor Center)

Drop-in, as park rangers and local astronomers point out constellations and other night sky features visible with the naked eye, binoculars, and telescopes. Park at Hulls Cove Visitor’s Center for the free shuttle service; parking at summit restricted to handicap accessible only. 7:30-10:00pm. Weather-permitting, call 207-200-1536 for event updates.

Sunday, September 29th

2:00-3:00 p.m. Film: Eat the Sun Reel Pizza Cinerama, 33 Kennebec Place, Bar Harbor

This film follows Mason, a modern ‘sungazer’ on an unbelievable and often hilarious cross-country tour into the little known world of sungazing. $3/adults, children under 16 free.

ALL DAY- STAR STUDDED SUNDAY AT SERC SERC, 64 Acadia Drive, Winter Harbor

A variety of family friendly activities will challenge you to see our universe in a whole new way. Call 207-288-1310.

11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Art in Space Moore Auditorium

Come enjoy an presentation of night sky inspired artwork by Jane Runyeon and Josh Simpson, joined by Josh’s wife, NASA astronaut Cady Coleman. As they discuss “Art in Space”.

1:00-2:00 p.m. The Sun and Its’ Domain

Eliot Hall

Acadia National Park Astronomy Volunteer Jon Thomas presents a program about the most dominant object in our solar system—the Sun. It keeps hold on the planets and provides a life-sustaining environment for the Earth, but the Sun is also quite violent in an unpredictable manner—a source of solar flares, magnetic storms, material ejections, and sunspots. Learn about the energy emitted in the visible, ultra-violet, and X-rays region of the spectrum and their impacts on the Earth.

1:00-4:00 p.m. Celebration of the Sun Eliot Hall Courtyard

3:00-4:30 p.m. Meet the Telescopes Eliot Hall

5:00-6:30 p.m. Celestial Supper Schooner Commons Dining Hall

Enjoy a dinner prepared by the SERC kitchen. Reservations required by noon on Friday, September 27^th. Call 207-288-1310. Cost is $15/adult; $7.50 ages 12 and under.

7:00-8:00 p.m. – Doug Rich: Supernova Hunter Moore Auditorium

Amateur astronomer Doug Rich talks about the particular challenges of being a supernova hunter in Maine. he explains how his search program evolved from simply looking for these rare stellar explosions visually – through an eyepiece – to capturing thousands of galaxy pictures with a digital camera coupled with a fully automated telescope system. His power point presentation includes a look at his home observatory and equipment used for supernova hunting, methods for patrolling the night sky, notable discoveries, along with some supernova history and trivia.

8:00-10:00 p.m. – Stars Over Schoodic Rockefeller Hall Back Patio – park at Moore Auditorium Weather-permitting, call 207-200-1536 for event updates.

Monday, September 30th

5:53 a.m. Sunrise on Cadillac Mountain and at Schoodic Point

Cadillac Mountain Summit, Acadia National Park, Mount Desert Island or Schoodic Point, Acadia National Park, Winter Harbor

Witness the daily ritual of nighttime starlight giving way to our daytime star, the sun. No formal program.