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Saturn Opposition
Starts: 08/27/2023 - Ends: 08/27/2023
The end of August is an optimal time to look at the seven ringed gas giant, and second-largest planet in our solar system, as it reaches opposition. During opposition, the Earth straddles perfectly between Saturn and the Sun - it is the time in Saturn's orbit when it is closest to the Earth.
Opposition technically occurs at a single moment in time, but if you look at the planet weeks before it hits opposition and weeks after, it will still be much brighter than usual.
Saturn will be visible to the naked eye, but a telescope may be necessary to get a close-up of the planets famous dangling rings.
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Perseid Meteor Shower
Starts: 08/12/2023 - Ends: 08/14/2023
Onlookers in the Northern Hemisphere will get a warm treat while watching the Perseids this year. The event will be chock-full of slinging meteors, with up to 100 per hour, during its peak the night of August 12th, according to the American Meteor Society.
This year, the bright long-tailed balls will be active starting July 14 and ending September 1.
The show, which is known for its "stronger meteor showers", will be unobscured by the moon this year, as the moon will be illuminating at 10 percent capacity.
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Summer Solstice and Conjunction
Starts: 06/21/2023 - Ends: 06/21/2023
Throughout the entire month of June, Venus and Mars will be on the same astronomical line, which means they will appear as if they are grouped together.
On the first official day of Summer, Venus, Mars and the Moon will form a triangle in the night sky, according to NASA ambassador, Tony Rice.
Viewers across the globe should be able to look at the trio without special equipment because they will be shinning so brightly.
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Super Blue Moon
Starts: 08/31/2023 - Ends: 08/31/2023
Sky watchers may be disappointed to learn that unlike the "blood moon," which temporarily stains the moon red, blue hues are not cast on the moon during a blue moon. It simply means that the month of August will be dotted with two full moons - compared to full moons that generally occur once a calendar month. The second full moon on August 31 is considered the blue moon.
But it will not be just any blue moon. This blue moon will be considered a Super Blue Moon because the moon will appear to be larger and brighter.
The event is not a once-in-a-"blue moon" phenomenon, since they happen relatively regularly. The last time a Super Blue Moon occurred was on January 31, 2018.
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"Ring of Fire" solar eclipse
Starts: 10/14/2023 - Ends: 10/14/2023
Annular solar eclipses, commonly known as "ring of fire" eclipses, occur when the Earth, the moon and the sun are all in alignment, but the moon is too far from the Earth to completely block it. As the moon creeps in front of the sun, a fiery reddish and orange aura is cast on the fringes of the moon.
Nearly all of North America will be able to see a partial solar eclipse, but the fiery show is reserved for only certain parts of the country. Residents from Oregon through Texas, across the Caribbean, and through Central America and out across Brazil, will be in the best position to watch the moon be seemingly engulfed by flames. The route of the annular solar eclipse foreshadows the path that the total solar eclipse will take in April 2024.
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Badlands Astronomy Festival
Starts: 07/14/2023 - Ends: 07/16/2023
The Annual Badlands Astronomy Festival brings together space science professionals, amateur astronomers, educators, youth groups, and park visitors for a stellar experience. Celebrate the beauty of a dark night sky and the wonder of space exploration.
The festival schedule and activities vary year-to-year. Stop by the Ben Reifel Visitor Center to pick up this year's schedule. Most events and activities are located in wheelchair-accessible areas. Astronomy Festival events do not require advance registration or tickets.
Badlands National Park has partnered with the NASA South Dakota Space Grant Consortium to co-sponsor the 2023 Badlands Astronomy Festival, July 14th-16th.
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 05/30/2023 - Ends: 05/30/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 06/06/2023 - Ends: 06/06/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 06/13/2023 - Ends: 06/13/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 06/20/2023 - Ends: 06/20/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 06/27/2023 - Ends: 06/27/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 07/04/2023 - Ends: 07/04/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 07/11/2023 - Ends: 07/11/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 07/18/2023 - Ends: 07/18/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 07/25/2023 - Ends: 07/25/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 08/01/2023 - Ends: 08/01/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 08/08/2023 - Ends: 08/08/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 08/15/2023 - Ends: 08/15/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 08/22/2023 - Ends: 08/22/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 08/29/2023 - Ends: 08/29/2023
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Tattoo Tuesday
Starts: 09/05/2023 - Ends: 09/05/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 05/31/2023 - Ends: 05/31/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 06/07/2023 - Ends: 06/07/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 06/14/2023 - Ends: 06/14/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 06/21/2023 - Ends: 06/21/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 06/28/2023 - Ends: 06/28/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 07/05/2023 - Ends: 07/05/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 07/12/2023 - Ends: 07/12/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 07/19/2023 - Ends: 07/19/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 07/26/2023 - Ends: 07/26/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 08/02/2023 - Ends: 08/02/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 08/09/2023 - Ends: 08/09/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 08/16/2023 - Ends: 08/16/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 08/23/2023 - Ends: 08/23/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 08/30/2023 - Ends: 08/30/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 09/06/2023 - Ends: 09/06/2023
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Face Paint Wednesday
Starts: 09/13/2023 - Ends: 09/13/2023
