Headlands International Dark Sky Park | Explore Michigan
Near the straits of Mackinac there is a secret beauty that is only visible to the eye after dark. It rivals the night skies of Norway and Iceland, but in fact, it’s in your own back yard.
Keep reading to discover the incredible Headlands International Dark Sky Park.
Headlands International Dark Sky Park – What Is It?
The Headlands International Dark Sky Park is home to 550 acres of forest and extraordinary nighttime skies. The park borders over two miles of preserved Lake Michigan shoreline. The preservation of Lake Michigan’s shoreline has allowed wildlife here to grow without the interruption of humankind, creating an irreplaceable experience.
On any of the many hiking trails in Headlands endangered plant life is plentiful and native wildlife flourishes. The diverse array of plants and wildlife creates a truly unique and harmonious experience for the visitors of the park specific to Headlands.
Stargazing at Headlands Dark Sky Park
Stargazing in the Headlands Dark Sky Park is a truly breathtaking experience. There is no other place in Michigan where the stars shine so vividly and brightly, reflecting on the waves of Lake Michigan. Constellations are easily visible to the naked eye.
Visitors are able see everything from the Little Dipper to Cassiopeia. The stars are ever changing throughout the sky, making new constellations visible with the arrival of each new season.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Headlands Dark Sky Park?
Spring starts with the strongest views of the Hydra, Crater, and Leo constellations. They are at their brightest throughout the months of March and April, but begin to fade throughout May, eventually completely disappearing in June.
Beginning in the same month- the Aquila, Hercules, and Lyra constellations become visible. In the peak of summer’s heat these constellations shine the brightest. However, with the cool weather of autumn, these constellations are replaced with new ones.
Autumn in the park is marked by the arrival of the Andromeda, Aquarius, and Pegasus constellations. They are at their strongest until the snowy month of December. Starting in December, the Orion, Canis Major, and Perseus constellations finally appear in the nighttime sky.
Natural Phenomena in the Headlands Dark Sky Park
Beyond constellations, there are many other beautiful natural phenomena visible in the skies of the Headlands. The Milky Way paints itself across the Headlands’ nighttime sky, with the same constellations emerging year after year.
Usually as the summer months begin to wind down and when the sky is at its’ darkest, meteor showers begin to appear. There are many famous meteor showers that can be seen throughout the year in the Headlands Park. The Perseids meteor arrives in August, Draconids and Orionids in October, Leonids in November, and Geminids in December. Regardless of the time of year, visitors are always able to spot some sort of beauty in the sky.
Unlike in the majority of the lower peninsula of Michigan, aurora borealis can actually be seen within the park. Aurora borealis is the most active during the Equinox in March and September, but really can show itself at any time. Despite the park being further south than most places where aurora borealis is visible, the absence of light pollution makes this possible.
Luckily for visitors the light pollution that plagues the nights in most cities is simply absent here. The lack of light pollution creates the opportunity for the raw true beauty of Michigan to finally shine through.
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