Explore the Ozarks, and beyond, much further beyond! The main event will be viewing the constellations in the dark sky of Echo Bluff State Park. We will point out constellations of Leo, Bootes, Cancer Ursa Major/Minor. We will get to view galaxies way outside our own Milky Way. Before the viewing we will tour Alley Mill Spring and do a short hike to a waterfall in Echo Bluff State Park.

Explore the Ozarks, and beyond, much further beyond! Southeast Missouri is known for amazing sights, but it is also one of the darkest night skies in our region, far away from all light pollution. We will start our day off by stopping in for a quick tour of Alley Mill, one of the states largest springs (over 81 million gallons daily!).After that quick stop we will head to Echo Bluff State Park for an easy 3 mile hike that see waterfalls, bluffs and pristine creeks.

After finishing the hike we will gather around the campfire as night sets for dinner and s’mores before the big event led by the Dent County Astronomers.

“As we start the viewing in the fading twilight of a moonless night, we'll pick out the brightest stars above us. Before long, the constellations will start appearing in the darkening sky. We'll point out the spring constellations of Leo, Bootes, Cancer, Ursa Major, and Ursa Minor, plus the winter holdovers of Gemini and Auriga.

Our telescopes will show you close views of double stars, globular star clusters, and open star clusters. We'll also show you galaxies far outside our own Milky Way galaxy. Meanwhile, keep your eyes on the sky and you might catch a few meteors from the Eta Aquariid meteor shower that peaks overnight.

After this inspiring viewing, relax and rest your head as we drive you back to Springfield where you can start to plan your next adventure!

PERFECT FOR

- Those interested in learning about astronomy

- THOSE INTERESTED IN LEARNING ABOUT ASTRONOMY

- HIKERS LOOKING FOR A UNIQUE ADVENTURE

- FIT ADVENTURERS LOOKING FOR A FUN DAY IN NATURE

- AGE SUGGESTION: +10

PICK UP LOCATION

SPRINGFIELD: 5 POUND APPAREL AT FARMER'S PARK (2144 E REPUBLIC RD, SPRINGFIELD, MO 65804) AT 1:45 PM