Stargazing

Tom Gill

Night skies have inspired us for generations. Nighttime views and environments are among the critical park features the National Park Service (NPS) protects. Night sky protection enhances qualities of solitude and undeveloped wilderness character that animals depend on for survival, park visitors seek for connections, and many cultural-historical parks require for preservation. In this regard, the NPS recognizes a naturally dark night sky as more than a scenic canvas; it is part of a complex ecosystem that supports both natural and cultural resources.

 

Tom Gill

The night sky is a glittering dome peppered with stars, planets, and passing meteors. For millennia, our ancestors experienced a dark night sky. Cultures around the world told stories about the constellations and used the stars as a calendar. Only for the past few generations have humans been denied the chance to stand in awe of the heavens. Artificial lighting and atmospheric pollutants wash out the light of the stars, making them less visable or completely absent.

Although Indiana Dunes National Park is near urban areas, the lakeshore offers unexpectedly dark skies. Lake Michigan's massive footprint to the north keeps the sky near the lakefront much darker than surrounding areas.

Learn how you can help preserve the Night Sky

 

Rafi Wilkinson

Where to Enjoy

Visitors can best view stars and the Milky Way on a clear night and moonless nights. While stars can be seen all along the shore, light pollution from surrounding communities does impact Indiana Dunes' night skies—so some areas of the park are darker than others.

Kemil Beach

Kemil Beach and parking lot is open 24 hours a day to allow for experiencing night at Indiana Dunes. It is located between Indiana Dunes State Park and Beverly Shores, the 7th designated Interntional Dark Sky Community in the world.

Things to Remember

• Overnight camping is not allowed along roadsides or in parking lots.

• Only Kemil Beach parking lot is 24/7. Porter Beach and West Beach close at 9:00 PM CST while all other parking lots close at 11:00 PM CST.

• Pets must be leashed at all times

• Watch your step in the darkness (use a red light flashlight or headlamp; wear closed-toed shoes).

 

Historic etching by early Dunes artist Earl H. Reed.

Earl H. Reed, Art Institute Chicago

Tips for Stargazing

Use Red Lights Only

Do not use bright white flashlights, headlamps, or cell phones. It takes 20-30 minutes for the human eye to fully adjust to very low light conditions. Bright lights delay this process. You can turn a regular flashlight into a red light by covering it with red cellophane, tape, fabric, paper, or similar materials.

Layer Up

Temperatures drop quickly in the evening. Bring extra layers of warm clothing.

Bring a Chair

You may be on your feet and looking up for long periods of time. A lightweight folding chair will help keep each person in your group comfortable and reduce strain. Do no trample vegetation.

Watch Your Step

Plants, nocturnal animals, and uneven surfaces may be difficult to see at night. Use a red light to check your viewing are for hazards.

Avoid the Moon

Bright moonlight reduces the number of stars you'll see. Check the moon's phase and rise and set times to find the best time to stargaze.

 

Aurora borealis over Lake Michigan at Kemil Beach, 10-10-2024

Richard Witkoswski

Aurora Borealis

The Aurora Borealis, more commonly known as the northern lights, are radiant shimmering colors that sporadically light up the night sky and have fascinated humanity for ages. The word "aurora" comes from the Latin word for "sunrise," and "borealis" means "to the north."

The Aurora Borealis shines sporadically over the middle and high latitudes of the northern hemisphere, occasionally including Indiana Dunes National Park. Your chance of seeing the northern lights is impacted by the type of radiation produced by the Sun, your location on the Earth, and whether night sky is both clear and dark. Chances increase slightly during the winter because there are more hours of darkness.

Will You See the Northern Lights at Indiana Dunes?

If you're lucky! Several things must happen to produce the northern lights.

• The aurora must be active. If the particles that produce the aurora are more active (e.g., due to solar flares), there is a higher chance you can see them at Indiana Dunes.
  • You can check the Alaska Geophysical Institute's Aurora Forecast up to about a month in advance of your trip to predict how active the aurora is likely to be.
• The sky must be clear. Clouds can obscure the aurora, even if it is active.
  • Check the weather forecast before and during your trip to learn when to expect cloudy skies or storms.
• The sky must be dark. The aurora may be active all day long, but the lights will only be visible against dark skies. A full moon and man-made lights might make the northern lights appear dimmer.
  • To give yourself a longer timeframe for seeing them, prepare to stay up late.
  • You can check NASA's sky calendar to learn when the moon will rise and how bright it will be during your trip.
• Find an open horizon facing north. A clear spot free of branches and a wide view of the horizon will give you a better vista in which to search for the lights.

 

Additional Resources

• Learn more about Dark Skies in National Parks

• Become a Junior Ranger Night Explorer

• Connect with the local Calumet Astronomical Society

• Connect to other Astronomy Clubs and night sky resources via the Night Sky Network

• Learn more about the northern lights

• Help contribute to Dark Skies research by becoming a Citizen Scientist