STARGAZING

The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA), a group that works to protect the night from light pollution, has named Keweenaw Dark Sky Park the newest addition to the International Dark Sky Places Program.

Mackinaw City, Michigan, is home to more than just the Mackinac Bridge and delicious fudge, did you know that one of the world’s first International Dark Sky Parks is just about four miles from the downtown area?

Located in Cass County, Michigan, the Dr. T.K. Lawless Dark Sky Park is the only International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) certified Dark Sky Park in southern Michigan.

With this year’s winter solstice comes more than just confirmation of our already-cold weather and ever-fleeting daylight: The rare “Christmas Star” will be visible for the first time in 800 years. Each year, Earth’s northern hemisphere enters the winter solstice on Dec. 21 -- the shortest day of the year -- officially marking the start of winter. This year, bright planets Jupiter and Saturn will align perfectly on Dec. 21 to create what is commonly called the Christmas Star or the “Star of Bethlehem.”According to NASA, Jupiter and Saturn align with one another every 20 years or so, but not nearly as close together as they will be in 2020. Experts say the Christmas Star can be seen by the unaided eye just after sunset on Dec. 21, 2020. You can see Saturn and Jupiter nearly align on Dec. 21, forming what appears to be a Christmas star.