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Night Sky Program Coming Saturday To Spirit Mound Prairie Along Missouri National Recreational River

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By NPT Staff - August 6th, 2018
Spirit Mound Historic Prairie is one of the few places you can walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark when the Corps of Discovery visited the site in August 1804/NPS

Spirit Mound Historic Prairie is one of the few places you can walk in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark when the Corps of Discovery visited the site in August 1804/NPS

A night sky program will be held at Spirit Mound Historic Prairie along the Missouri National Recreation River on Saturday beginning at 9 p.m. Once the light fades, the event kicks off with a tour of the night sky, followed by star and planet viewing through several telescopes.

“If the sky is clear we should be able to see neighboring planets, distant galaxies, the moon, and meteors from the Perseid meteor shower,” says Daniel Peterson, a ranger at the Missouri National Recreational River. “The dark skies at Spirit Mound will provide us with excellent viewing of the sky including a chance to see the International Space Station.”

Also expected to be within site, with clear skies, are the Perseid meteor showers, which is one of the most popular meteor showers of the year with a rate between 100 to 200 meteors an hour.

Peterson, along with volunteers and staff from University of South Dakota and South Dakota Game Fish and Parks, will lead the program.

No need to make reservations, just show up. It's suggested that you dress for the weather and be prepared for mosquitoes. The program may be canceled due to overcast or rainy conditions.

Those interested in attending should meet in the parking lot at Spirit Mound located off of Highway 19 north of Vermillion, South Dakota. The program may end around 12 a.m. For additional information please call the park staff at 605-665-0209.

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