The Sky in Geauga Observatory Park
Montville, OH

{It’s My Party 🎉, Part 2}

Geauga Observatory Park is an IDA-certified International Dark Sky Park a quick hour from Cleveland. One of 56 dark sky parks in the country, it is my 3rd I have visited in an astrophotography capacity. Not bad considering it was less than a year ago I began the mission of learning how to use my equipment. As I arrived a little before sunset my sense of accomplishment already began to set it. At the end of the first day of my trip I had maximized daytime and, now, the evening hours in devotion to all that inspires me and fills my heart and soul. These are the gifts I give myself. The gifts that are all around us.

The park had plenty to do in the day and the night. The trails that make up this 1,100 acre park loop in a path proportionate to the sun’s. And there are stops along the way, interactive displays and placards. Within the park, monuments to the sky and its activity.

Astronomy compels the soul to look upwards and leads us from this world to another. – Plato

These large pieces about the park represent the corners of the Pyramids of Giza, marvels of mathematical and astronomical understanding.

The asteroid belt in rocks in between the Mars and Jupiter stations. And look, I am losing light!

Lingering light illuminates the foliage on the park’s perimeter, encasing me.

Also along the park’s Planetary Trail, a few towering megaliths. And here’s a job that’s as fascinating as hell: Archeoastronomer! They study the intersection of archeology, astronomy and anthropology. Are you picturing the Venn Diagram? I was excited to see these as I was thinking about where to shoot once night came.

Oh and what a show once the sun said farewell…

Hashtag #nofilter

Before light left, I went to Nassau Astronomical Station. Recently restored, the station moved to this area from Cleveland to avoid the light pollution. Housed within its locked doors unfortunately, Ohio’s largest publicly accessible research-grade telescope.

Ok, night is coming. But that sun sure takes a long time to truly leave the room!

Impatient, I began shooting at first sight of the stars.

Curse this cloud cover! As I type this, the morning after, I see that tonight will be a clear night. Soooo, I may go back tonight to shoot again. The stars are definitely more visible here, even in Cleveland. When I finally picked up my rental car after work and a delayed flight, I couldn’t help but notice the stars on my drive to my motel. So my tripod, a new must-pack, would not take up so much space in my suitcase in vain!

It was still early, but hey–megaliths and stars it would be despite the light from the west.

Shooting star and I wasted a wish

This cluster of stars kept me shooting despite really cold toes. I am learning that cold weather night shoots need special preparations. This is important because I have a plan to shoot the Geminids meteor shower in December.

Condensation kept obscuring my lens. Apparently this is an issue I need to read up on for next time. It killed many shots… and the internet told me that simply wiping it (as I did) also negatively impacts the shot. 🤔

Clouds, lots of light from campers and my not staying for true night made for not the greatest shots, but a learning experience always.

Goodnight, Ohio. Day two, here I come.