The seventh annual Acadia Night Sky Festival, planned for Sept. 10-14, will feature more than 30 celestial-themed programs at locations throughout Mount Desert Island, including star parties atop Cadillac Mountain and at Seawall in Acadia National Park, presentations by astronaut Dan Barry, and night time paddling trips and cruises.
The festival drew more than 4,000 attendees last year and is a community celebration to promote the protection and enjoyment of Maine’s night sky as a valuable natural resource through education, science and the arts.
“The biggest goal that we’ve really achieved this year is having a really diverse schedule of both indoor and outdoor activities,” said Alf Anderson, member of the Acadia Night Sky Festival steering committee and director of membership sales and marketing for the Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce. “There’s something for everyone — children and adults, experienced astronomers and total novices.”
An annual highlight of the celebration is the star party atop Cadillac Mountain, scheduled from 8 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, with a free “Shuttle to the Stars” departing from Mount Desert Island High School. The public is invited to drop in at any time during the program to learn from volunteer astronomers who will point out constellations and other night sky features visible with the naked eye, binoculars and telescopes.
“Last year, we counted just over 2,000 people at that star party, and this year’s weather is looking OK for Saturday night … we’re expecting a big turnout,” Anderson said.
During the event, the road to the top of the mountain will be closed to all traffic (except those who need parking for persons with disabilities), so visitors must use the shuttle to attend. Dogs and other pets are not allowed.
In addition to the popular star-gazing events in Acadia National Park, the festival will feature a variety of indoor activities, including a “Sips & Paint” event in which participants can drink wine or tea while painting their version of the Acadia night sky with the festival’s 2015 poster artist Katherine Noble Churchill.
Also on tap are nightly space-themed movies at Reel Pizza in Bar Harbor, presentations at the Jackson Lab and Jesup Memorial Library and star photography workshops.
For those looking for a little outdoor adventure, there will be a guided kayak tour under the stars, 7-9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, to find bioluminescent algae, which glows in the water. And the following day, local astronomers will be leading a solar viewing party 11 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Jackson Laboratory.
For a complete schedule and description of activities, visit AcadiaNightSkyFestival.org. Several activities require pre-registration, and most are low cost or free. Festival organizers can be reached at 801-2566 or by email at acadianightskyfestival@gmail.com. To ask specifically about the Cadillac Mountain star party, call 200-1536.