Urban star parties at Pershing Field

A recurring family star party, Planets in the Park, is sponsored by Pershing Field Park and park director Heather Susag. The astronomers who run Planets in the Park are volunteer outreach specialists of the Minnesota Astronomical Society, Erica Stark and Michael Kauper.
“Please help PitP. Support Minneapolis Parks, city families and kids,” say volunteers. “Help us introduce urban dwellers to astronomy.”
An urban star party was held at Pershing Field Park (3523 W 48th St) on April 4, 2025 from 8:30 to 10 p.m. Free and open to all ages, the April event featured telescopes to view brilliant Jupiter, tiny Mars, the lovely quarter moon, as well as deep sky viewing of the star birth nebula, M42, in the sword of Orion, and the sparkling Double Cluster in Perseus the Hero.
On Dec. 13, 2024, PitP observed Jupiter and its moons, Saturn and its moons, Venus and a 6-day waxing crescent moon. On Sept. 13, 2024, guest astronomer Ben Huset spoke about billionaire space walks and broken Boeing space capsules.
Planets in the Park feature a beginners’ astronomy lesson. Volunteers hand out star wheels and red astronomy flashlights, followed by a laser-guided tour of the night sky. They read aloud diverse sky legends from all over the world.
PitP goes ahead clear or cloudy but is cancelled if stormy or snowy.
Upcoming events will likely be held Friday, May 2, 8:30-10 p.m and again on Monday, June 30. To find more, follow the Planets in the Park Facebook page.