These speakers “represent fields spanning astrophysics, aurora chasing, night sky photography, dark sky conservation, archeoastronomy, geomagnetic science, economic advocacy for darker skies, deep space imaging, and star-inspired art,” says the press release sent out by the Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival.

Several speakers are frequent attendees of the event, and/or are local to the area. For example, Dr. Robert Nemiroff, physics professor at Michigan Technological University, will be leading a talk about the NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day project at 1 p.m. Friday, April 17

“I currently lead APOD from MTU,” said Nemiroff. “I pick many of the images used and write up much of the text used. I receive about 20 image submissions each day, but sometimes I will choose an image submitted to APOD some time ago.”

Nemiroff co-created the Astronomy Picture of the Day project in 1995. The project posts a different photo to NASA’s website each day, along with a short description of the phenomenon depicted. The photos can be found each day at https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html.

The Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival will be held from April 16-18 at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in Copper Harbor. (Photo courtesy of Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival)

“Some APOD images were taken in the UP with a UP foreground below a spectacular sky,” said Nemiroff. “Places include Marquette and Copper Harbor.”

Nemiroff has never missed an Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival, and believes in the preservation of dark skies.

“All of humanity sees the same dark skies,” said Nemiroff. “These dark skies act as a unifying influence that doesn’t care about borders. Many cultures have stories that involve the night sky. Preserving dark skies, therefore, helps bind humanity together and connect it to its past.”

Other speakers at the event include Jamie Westfall, Manager of Headlands International Dark Sky Park in Emmet County, who will be giving a talk about leveraging economic incentives for darker skies, and NASA Solar System Ambassador Dave Falkner, who will be presenting about Stonehenge; its construction, as well as theories about what its purpose was for the people that made it. A full list of event speakers can be found at https://keweenawdarksky.com/calendar/2026-upper-peninsula-dark-sky-festival/.

“We are thrilled to share the full picture of what this year’s festival will be,” said John Mueller, owner of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge. Mueller will be giving the opening remarks, and led the application process for the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park.

“From scientists to Indigenous photographers to artists, this lineup reflects everything that makes dark sky culture so rich and worth fostering,” said Mueller. “This festival exists to help people slow down, look up, and reconnect with nature — and this year’s speakers embody exactly that spirit.”

Tickets are $250 per person plus tax, with attendance capped at 50 participants. Tickets include two lunches, but do not include lodging. The last day to purchase tickets is April 12th; the festival has sold out every year since its inaugural edition, so early registration is strongly encouraged. Tickets are available for purchase at http://keweenawdarksky.com/.

Annie Lippert can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 550. Her email address is alippert@miningjournal.net.