Portage Area Dark Skies

05/30/2026

A blue moon is a relatively straightforward occurrence, defined as a second full moon within a single calendar month.

And no, it's not blue! 🌕🌖🌗 😄

Moonrise over Portage skies: 9:29 p.m.

Next blue moon: December 31, 2028 according to Earth Sky.

And as always, let's enjoy it's natural glow by turning the lights down low!

Have a great weekend, Portage!

💙💙💙

05/27/2026

Looks like fun!

Join the Ice Age Trail Alliance’s Lodi Valley Chapter on Friday evening, May 29th, for a guided hike under the soft glow of May’s second full moon—known as a Blue Moon. This unique full moon will also be a micromoon, appearing smaller and more distant in the night sky, creating a peaceful and magical backdrop for an evening on the trail.

Location details:
We will meet at the Slack Road Trailhead
Watch for the yellow Ice Age Trail Event signs.
View trailhead on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/rLmJFCGqU4q
This is a free event with no registration required.
Dress for the weather, wear sturdy footwear, and bring a light for the evening trail. A walking stick is recommended if conditions are muddy or slippery. Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome to join the adventure—because spring evenings are even better with a four-legged friend along!

Questions? Contact Bill at [email protected] or 608-843-3926.

05/18/2026

Fun! Who's going?

**Apologies for the short notice - this program has been canceled due to 100% cloud cover this evening.**

🌌 Explore the Night Sky...THIS Saturday! 💫

🗓 Saturday, May 23 | 8-11 PM
📍 Devil's Lake State Park | Rock Elm Shelter

Join the Madison Astronomical Society (MAS) for an evening under the stars!

8:00–8:45 PM: Enjoy an astro-naturalist talk
9:00-11:00 PM: A MAS astronomer will guide a tour of spring constellations with a laser pointer, while others with visual and photographic telescopes will show you deep-sky beauty, features on the Moon, and Jupiter and its moons

This is a drop-in program, so come and go as you please—MAS volunteers will be there throughout the evening to help you connect with the night sky.

Best suited for adults and kids ages 7+, but open to all ages.

05/17/2026

🌌 **Route 66 After Dark** 🌌

Under the cover of night, I traveled the Mother Road from Chicago to Santa Monica, capturing the sky’s ever-changing canvas along the way. What better way to celebrate the 100th birthday of Route 66 than to do this—not with fancy gear or perfect setups, just me, an old phone, and whatever the darkness (or light pollution) reveals.

This series is about contrast:

✨ the glow of cities that drown out the stars

✨ the quiet stretches where the sky still breathes

✨ the overlooked dark sky spots hiding in plain sight

Along the way, I’ll also share a few travel tips, like places to eat a great burger and locations to visit if you want to experience these places yourself. I'll also help you avoid some of the mistakes I made.

📍 It’s not polished. It’s not perfect.

But it’s real—and it’s out there every night. If you're ready to motor WEST, buckle up and let's head down Main Street America together!

👉 Follow on Instagram as for this series or scan the QR code in the comments.

05/12/2026

This is dark sky lighting. Does it look unsafe?

Congratulations to the City of Apache Junction, Arizona, on the certification of its City Hall campus as an Urban Night Sky Place.

Through upgrades to more than 200 outdoor lighting fixtures and a long-term commitment to responsible lighting, Apache Junction is helping protect the night while creating a more community-friendly environment.

Located at the gateway to the Superstition Mountains, the city is setting an example for how communities can balance growth with stewardship of the night.

Learn more about their work to become an Urban Night Sky Place: https://bit.ly/3PwA3Lj

05/04/2026

Which one allows you to see danger lurking around the corner?

04/30/2026

Since 2002 the arch has went dark for bird migration. What landmark in Portage could we do this with?

25 likes, 3 comments. "Gateway Arch Lights Off for Bird Migration"