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Eclipse Viewing and Programs in the Land Between the Lakes

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Camping in the LBL at Sunset

Camping in the LBL at Sunset

The Great American Eclipse is almost here – it seems like just yesterday it was months away. Then again, Christmas is 4 months from today!

The Land Between the Lakes offers year-round events, educational programs, and entertainment for the whole family – so it’s no surprise that they have the eclipse covered as well.

From the Land Between the Lakes:

Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area will offer prime viewing locations for the Great American Eclipse on August 21 and “Sun and Moon Days” August 16-23, 2017, a series of programs throughout the 170,00 acre area to celebrate and educate about this amazing natural phenomenon.

“Visitors looking for a prime spot to watch the Great American Eclipse are invited to Land Between the Lakes,” says Customer Service Manager Jeff Laird. “Eye protection, free parking and food vendors will be available at Fenton, near the Eggner’s Ferry Bridge on US68/KY80 in western Kentucky.”

The duration of the total solar eclipse at this location will be two minutes, according to NASA (https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-maps). Other viewing areas in Land Between the Lakes are listed at https://landbetweenthelakes.us/best-2017-eclipse-viewing-areas/.

Eye protection is vitally important during this event and viewing glasses are available now at Friends of Land Between the Lakes gift shops and campground outposts. Sunglasses are not adequate.

“Sun and Moon Days will feature eclipse related programming at three facilities,” according to Laird.

Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory will show TOTALITY (which is already in the weekly schedule), at 11am and 2pm, August 16-23, to teach about eclipses. There will be an eclipse star party at 8:45 pm on August 19 and solar viewing from 10am – 4pm on August 20 and 21. A Pink Floyd laser extravaganza will be offered on August 18 and 19, at 5:30 and 7pm.

The Homeplace 1850s Working Farm will feature Life by the Sun, Moon and Stars, weekdays, 2-3pm, which will show how farm families looked for signs from celestial bodies. The Storytelling event will be August 19 from 6-7:30pm. Talented presenters will weave tales of the eclipses from the past. This special event is not included in the regular admission price. Cost is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Doors will open at 5:30pm. View the eclipse from the Homeplace on August 21 and be part of our watermelon social from 10am – 4pm.

Woodlands Nature Station will offer Daytime vs. Nighttime Animals, weekdays at 11:30 am, August 16-23. There will also be Mornings with the Hummingbirds, 10-11am on Thursday, August 17, and Tuesday, August 22. Reservations are required for the Sunset Canoe Trips, planned for August 18 and August 23, from 5:30-8pm; and the Hummingbird Café, planned for Saturday, August 19, 9-10am. Snakes of Land Between the Lakes will be discussed from 11:30am – 12 pm on Sunday, August 20.

For more information, visit https://landbetweenthelakes.us/solar-eclipse-2017/ and https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/.

To find more information about Land Between the Lakes, log on to the official website atwww.landbetweenthelakes.us or call 1.800.525.7077 or 270.924.2000.

Evening Planetarium Shows and Summer Night Star Parties

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The Golden Pond Planetarium in the Land Between the Lakes has some pretty amazing evening shows lined up for the 2017 summer season… and by “pretty amazing,” I mean absolutely spectacular.

Evening Planetarium Shows and Star Parties: The Planetarium offers evening Astronomy shows and the members of the West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers host Star Parties (weather permitting). Seasoned astronomers use telescopes to guide children and adults in observing the night sky. Observatory Star Parties follow the last show in the planetarium.

The Laser and evening planetarium showings and Star Parties offer indoor and outdoor activities after 5 pm starting in May and lasting all summer.

• May 27: Star Party at dark after 7 pm planetarium astronomy show
• June 10 and 24: Star Party at dark after 8 pm planetarium astronomy show
• July 8 and 22: Star Party at dark after 8 pm planetarium astronomy show
• Aug 5 and 19: Star Party at dark after 8 pm planetarium astronomy show

Laser Lights Music Shows: The planetarium dazzles visitors with multi-colored laser light shows synchronized to popular music across the 40-foot dome. Featured artists include the Beatles, U2, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin and many more country and pop artists.

Doors open 30 minutes before show times.

• 5:30 pm and 7 pm on Saturday nights beginning Saturday, May 13
• 5:30 pm and 7 pm on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights beginning Friday, June 2
• 8 pm bonus laser shows June 3 and 17; July 1, 15 and 29; and August 12 and 26.

Enhance your laser lights show experience with special 3D laser viewing glasses available in the gift shop.

Due to safety concerns, doors close after shows begin. Discount and Fun Cards are not accepted for laser shows. For a complete schedule of evening laser shows, visit the Planetarium page on the website or https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/Laser-May-August-2017.pdf.

To find more information about Land Between the Lakes, log on to the official website at www.landbetweenthelakes.us or call 1-800-LBL-7077 or 270-924-2000.

Golden Pond Planetarium, Land Between the Lakes

National Astronomy Day at Golden Pond Planetarium

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Golden Pond in the Land Between the Lakes

The only problem we have when we visit the Land Between the Lakes is trying to see and do everything at once! Gotta admit, though, I love the challenge. The Golden Pond Planetarium has something extra special coming up later this month and if you (like my youngest daughter) love astronomy, you’ll definitely want to mark your calendar.

West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers will host a National Astronomy Day event from 10-5pm, Saturday, April 29, 2017, at the Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory at Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area.

National Astronomy Day at Golden Pond (Land Between the Lakes)
“Highlights include “Meet Galileo” – an opportunity to interact with a first-person interpretation of the famous astronomer; “Comet Man” will make an appearance using dry ice to create a comet with help from visitors; and Artist Louise Phillips will be at Astronomy Day to present her artwork Dark Skies at Land Between the Lakes. A dedication ceremony will take place at 11am.

“National Astronomy Day promotes and encourages astronomy as a science and hobby. Land Between the Lakes and the Western Kentucky Amateur Astronomers hope the observance will increase knowledge and awareness of how the earth, moon and sun interact.” Says Jim Phfistner a West Kentucky Amateur Astronomy Club member.

Visitors can view free, full-dome, digital surround sound planetarium shows at 10 and 11am, 12, 1, 2, 3, and 4pm. A Star Party will take place at the observatory located just behind the visitor center after dark, if weather permits.

{Information continued below….}

National Astronomy Day at Golden Pond (Land Between the Lakes)
“The planetarium offers a variety of shows and provides an exciting way for our visitors to learn more about astronomy,” says Rob Milner, Planetarium Manager. “This year we are debuting a new eclipse show called TOTALITY. We will open the observatory for people to safely view the sun through our solar telescope. Entertaining and educational programs will be available for all ages.”

Astronomy club members will talk about how you can enjoy the total solar eclipse and give out free solar viewing glasses. Visitors will receive tips on observing the night sky, buying a first telescope and safely viewing the sun during the total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017.

Be sure to visit the gift shop while at the Planetarium – you’ll probably see me there, trying to decide which stuffed animals and coffee mugs I “… simply MUST have.”

For more information visit: https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/calendar/astronomy-day-2017/
See the Astronomy Day brochure: https://www.landbetweenthelakes.us/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2017.GPAstronomyDay.2.pdf

Golden Pond Planetarium Ramps up Shows for Summer

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The Golden Pond Planetarium at Land Between The Lakes has a lot in store for the 2016 summer season. Laser and evening planetarium showings, and Star Parties, offer activities after 5pm starting in May, and lasting all summer.

The planetarium dazzles visitors with multi-colored laser light shows synchronized to popular music across the 40-foot dome. Seasoned astronomers guide and educate children and adults. They use telescopes to observe the dark night sky.

Evening Planetarium Shows and Star Parties:  Members of the West Kentucky Amateur Astronomers host Star Parties, weather permitting. Free telescope viewings follow the 8pm show beginning in June.

  • May 28; 6:30pm planetarium show; 8pm Star Party
  • June 4 and 18
  • July 2 and 16
  • Aug 6 and 20

Laser Lights Music Shows:  The Planetarium projector beams intense and colorful laser light designs and animations on the dome. Featured artists include Metallica, U2, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, George Strait, The Beach Boys, Shania Twain, The Beatles, and many more. Doors open 30 minutes before show times.

  • 5pm and 6:30pm on Saturday nights beginning Saturday, May 7
  • 5:30pm and 7pm on Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday nights beginning Friday, June 3
  • 8pm bonus laser shows June 11 and 25; July 9, 23, and 30; August 13 and 27

Enhance your laser lights show experience with special 3D laser viewing glasses available in the gift shop.

Due to safety concerns, doors close after shows begin. Discount and Fun Cards are not accepted for laser shows. For a complete schedule of evening laser shows, visit the Planetarium page on the Land Between the Lake’s Official website.

You can also learn more by calling 1-800-LBL-7077 or 270-924-2000.

 

Special Holiday Schedules at Land Between the Lakes

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Golden Pond Planetarium, Land Between the Lakes

Golden Pond Planetarium and Observatory

So we meet again, December. The trees are settling in for their winter’s slumber, the air is crisp, UK basketball is shaking things up, Christmas is around the corner, and I’m never without a Chai Tea Latte by my side.

Sigh, I love this time of year.

With cooler weather, however, comes changes in hours and days a lot of places are open for business. When it comes to locally owned businesses (especially the smaller ones), it’s always best to call first. Never assume anyone is open every day of the week in the winter.  You might find yourself scrambling for a place to eat supper at 4:30 pm – been there, done that!

The Land Between the Lakes has released the Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day hours for the Golden Pond Visitor Center and the Administrative Office.

The Elk & Bison Prairie (one of my favorite places on earth) will remain open through the holidays. The prairie, like the region itself, remains beautiful throughout the winter. I hope you won’t allow cold weather to keep you from enjoying the beautiful LBL.  Photographers will always find a million and one opportunities for the “shot of a lifetime.”  There’s a lot to be said for bare trees and fewer crowds, after all. You can see the birds, nests, and wildlife much easier.

The Golden Pond Visitor Center and the Administrative Office at Land Between The Lakes National Recreation Area will have special hours during the 2015 holiday season.

Golden Pond Visitor Center:

  • Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, Open 9am-3pm
  • Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, Closed
  • New Year’s Eve, Thursday, December 31, Open 9am-3pm
  • New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1, 2016, Closed

Administrative Office:

  • Christmas Day, Friday, December 25, Closed
  • New Year’s Day, Friday, January 1, 2016, Closed

The Elk & Bison Prairie Wranglers Campground, and Turkey Bay Off-Highway Vehicle Area and Trails remain open during the holidays.

“Call Before You Haul” 270-924-2000 or visit www.LandBetweenTheLakes.us and click on Alerts to check for any trail closures due to excessive wet weather conditions.

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