Event at Dark Sky Park in Petoskey: First Saturday Stargazing Series

First Saturday Stargazing Series: The Ten Chief Ecliptic Stars, telescopes provided.

As the Earth moves about the Sun each year, the view of background stars changes. Centuries ago this gave rise to the belief that the stars behind the Sun, which came to be known as the stars of the Zodiac, bore a special significance in the grand scheme of things. Among the many stars that make up the constellations of the zodiac, there are 10 that are so close to the apparent path of the Sun, that the Sun appears to block them as it wends along.

Tonight we identify which stars they are, where they are located, when to see them and what dates they have their solar encounter; an engaging way to get ready for summer evenings full of stars!

Mackinaw City, on I-75, is at the very tip of Michigan's mitt, the last stop before crossing the Mackinac Bridge.