The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) will host a free Dark Skies stargazing event from 5 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, at the Little Compton Lake Conservation Area south of Hale in northeastern Carroll County. Participants will have the option to camp overnight, and MDC staff will provide fishing and archery lessons with equipment included before a dinner break and nightfall. The event is in partnership with the Astronomical Society of Kansas City.
Staff from the Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs will lead the event. Members of the Astronomical Society will present a slide show and set up telescopes for viewing planets and stars. The event location is a Class 3 dark sky area, typically found in rural settings with significantly less light pollution than urban areas, allowing for better visibility of the night sky.
Participants can either drive home after the event or choose to camp on-site. Camping is free and available in a mowed grassy area near a gravel parking lot and a privy, although amenities are limited. All Missouri fishing regulations will be enforced during the event.
This event welcomes participants of all ages. Registration is mandatory. To register, visit this link. For more information about the Little Compton Lake Conservation Area, northeast of Carrollton, visit this link.
