Full Speaker Lineup and Schedule Announced for the Fourth Annual Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival

Copper Harbor, Michigan, March 11, 2026 — Following the initial announcement on January 30, 2026, the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is pleased to release the full speaker lineup and updated schedule for the 2026 Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival — a three-day/night gathering honoring the beauty of natural darkness, the science of the night sky, and the deep connection between people and place, held in concert with International Dark Sky Week.

Eleven speakers have now been confirmed, representing 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. The complete talk titles are now set.

“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. “From scientists to Indigenous photographers to artists, this lineup reflects everything that makes dark sky culture so rich and worth fostering. The 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 + tax, with attendance capped at 50 participants to preserve the intimate, intentional character of the event. The last day to purchase tickets is April 12, 2026. The festival has sold out every year since its 2023 inaugural edition. Early registration is strongly encouraged.

Festival Schedule

The 2026 festival runs across three days and nights. Thursday evening allows guests to arrive, settle in, and take in the opening presentation before heading out to stargaze. Friday and Saturday each feature a morning activity, midday lunch, afternoon talks, and an evening presentation — with open stargazing each night under some of the darkest skies in the Midwest.

Thursday, April 16th

• 6:00 PM — Welcome / Opening Remarks — John Mueller (KML / Keweenaw Dark Sky Park) and Amber Harrison (DarkSky International, virtually)
• 8:00 PM — Stargazing: Dark Sky Photography and Etiquette Workshop — Nate Bett
• Evening — Open Stargazing

Friday, April 17th

• 10:00 AM — A Dark Sky Watercolor Workshop — Lindsey Naylor (limited to 20 people — call 906-289-4403 ext. 4 to sign up)
• 12:00 PM — Rustic and Worldly Lunch (included with ticket)
• 1:00 PM — Postcards from the Universe: 2025–2026 via NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day — Robert Nemiroff
• 3:30 PM — Stonehenge: History and Mystery — Dave Falkner
• 6:00 PM — Dinner on your own
• 8:00 PM — Travis Novitsky
• Evening — Open Stargazing

Saturday, April 18th

• 8:30 AM — Bus departs Lodge for Open Skies Tour (limited to 24 people — call 906-289-4403 ext. 4 to sign up) — sponsored by Visit Keweenaw
• 12:00 PM — Rustic and Worldly Lunch (included with ticket)
• 1:00 PM — Geomagnetic Storm Effects — “Astro” Bob King
• 3:00 PM — In Pursuit of the Northern Lights: Painted Nights in the Darkest Parts of the World — Melissa Kaelin
• 4:30 PM — Leveraging Economic Incentives for Darker Skies — Jamie Westfall
• 6:00 PM — Dinner on your own
• 8:00 PM — Deep Sky Astrophotography under Dark Skies — Ogetay Kayali
• Evening — Open Stargazing

The 2026 Speakers

Below is the confirmed lineup of speakers and presenters for the 2026 festival, listed alphabetically by last name.

Nate Bett — Photographer and Educator

Presentation: Dark Sky Photography Workshop

Originally from Marquette and recently relocated to Hancock from New York City, Bett taught at the City University of New York and served as a technical specialist in photography for a major camera manufacturer. His Thursday evening workshop covers night sky photography fundamentals, image editing in Adobe Lightroom Classic and Photoshop, stacking software such as Starry Landscape Stacker, and gear selection — giving attendees the tools to capture the night sky shots they’ve always wanted.

Dave Falkner — NASA Solar System Ambassador

Presentation: Stonehenge: History and Mystery

A retired Naval officer and lifelong amateur astronomer, Falkner has authored two published books (one in a second edition) and has taught Introduction to Astronomy at the college level. He has served on the board of the Minnesota Astronomical Society and is a member of the Astronomy in Chile Education Ambassador Program (ACEAP) and a NASA Solar System Ambassador. He resides in Blaine, Minnesota.

Amber Harrison — Dark Sky Places Program Manager, DarkSky International (joining virtually)

Presentation: Opening Remarks and Status of the Dark Sky Places Program

Harrison is responsible for the global Dark Sky Places Program at DarkSky International. A former park ranger and interpreter at Big Bend Ranch State Park — the largest, most remote, and darkest park in Texas — she led successful Dark Sky Places applications for public lands in the Big Bend region and holds graduate degrees in Anthropology from Wichita State University.

Melissa Kaelin — Author and Founder, Michigan Aurora Chasers

Presentation: In Pursuit of the Northern Lights: Painted Nights in the Darkest Parts of the World

Author of Beyond the 45th Parallel: The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing Aurora, Kaelin has led thousands to their first Northern Lights experience through guided chases, online tutorials, and public talks. She founded the Michigan Aurora Chasers, co-founded the Aurora Summit, co-hosted the inaugural GLAD Jam in Houghton, volunteered for NASA’s SolarMax Mission, and leads international aurora tours for the University of Michigan Alumni Association. Her talk takes attendees on a journey to Alaska, Iceland, Norway, Finland, Canada’s Northwest Territories, and the Arctic Circle.

Ogetay Kayali — Deep Space Photographer and PhD Candidate in Astrophysics, Michigan Technological University

Presentation: Deep Sky Astrophotography under Dark Skies

Kayali works for NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day and has spent over a decade in public outreach and science communication. His presentation covers how remote dark sky sites accelerate astrophotography, from beginner-friendly deep sky imaging with telescopes and cameras to advanced techniques — illustrated with his own award-winning work. He founded a popular science platform in Turkey that became one of its most visited science sites, authored over 300 popular science articles, and contributed to a YouTube channel surpassing 50 million views. His astrophotography has earned an Astrobin Image of the Day, 6 Top Picks, and 8 Top Pick Nominations, and appeared on the cover of ScopeTrader magazine in November 2024.

“Astro” Bob King — Author and Educator

Presentation: Geomagnetic Storm Effects

Bob King has shared his lifelong love of the night sky through teaching and public observing for decades. A long-time member of the American Association of Variable Star Observers (AAVSO), he writes regularly for Sky & Telescope and has maintained the popular Astro Bob blog since 2008. He also broadcasts current sky events on WTIP-FM (Grand Marais) and The North 103.3 FM (Duluth).

John Mueller — Owner, Keweenaw Mountain Lodge / Keweenaw Dark Sky Park

Presentation: Welcome Remarks and the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park

Mueller is the founder of Keweenaw Resort, LLC and the driving force behind the Lodge’s successful application for International Dark Sky Park designation, awarded by DarkSky International in 2022. He previously served as a professor of entrepreneurship and innovation at St. Edward’s University, Fresno State, and Western Michigan University. His opening remarks will cover the progress of the Keweenaw Dark Sky Park and include a Q&A on DarkSky International’s places program.

Lindsey Naylor — Artist and Graphic Designer

Presentation: A Dark Sky Watercolor Workshop (limited to 20 participants — call 906-289-4403 ext. 4 to sign up)

Naylor is an independent artist whose hand-drawn style spans murals, branding, packaging, and illustration, with professional design work since 2011. She is the artist behind the Lodge’s acclaimed WPA-era four-season poster series. Her Friday morning workshop guides participants through creating a galaxy-inspired watercolor painting — covering basic technique, the Milky Way, and the Northern Lights. All materials are provided; no prior experience is necessary.

Robert Nemiroff — Co-creator of NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) and Professor of Physics, Michigan Technological University

Presentation: Postcards from the Universe: 2025–2026 via NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day

A Fellow of the American Physical Society with a PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, Nemiroff is best known as a creator, writer, and editor of NASA’s Astronomy Picture of the Day (apod.nasa.gov) — one of NASA’s most popular science websites. His 2026 talk showcases standout images and videos from APOD spanning 2025–2026, including Hubble and Webb telescope imagery, nebulae, aurorae, galaxies, and the Solar System. His new book, Faster than Light, How Your Shadow Can Do It but You Can’t, is available from Amazon.

Travis Novitsky — Artist and Photographer, Grand Portage Anishinaabe Nation, MN

Presentation: Topic to be announced

A proud lifelong member of the Grand Portage Anishinaabe Nation in northeast Minnesota, Novitsky has spent over 35 years photographing the woods and waters of the Lake Superior north shore. His favorite subject is the night sky and the Aurora Borealis. He served as Co-Producer and Narrator of the documentary Northern Nights, Starry Skies and is the photographer for Spirits Dancing – The Night Sky, Indigenous Knowledge & Cultural Connections to the Cosmos (text by Annette S. Lee).

Jamie Westfall — Park Manager, Headlands International Dark Sky Park, Mackinaw City, MI

Presentation: Leveraging Economic Incentives for Darker Skies

Westfall manages Headlands International Dark Sky Park and two other Emmet County parks. A Dark Sky Advocate with DarkSky International and a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional, she will share strategies that dark sky advocates can use to collaborate with business leaders to encourage more environmentally considerate lighting solutions. She has been central to the dark sky protection movement within the parks and recreation industry in Michigan.

Rustic and Worldly Lunches

Each ticket includes two gourmet lunches on Friday and Saturday, prepared by the Lodge’s culinary team. Guests should indicate their dietary preference — meat or vegetarian — at the time of purchase. Menus are subject to change based on ingredient availability; no substitutions.

Friday Lunch

• Chicken fajitas with veggies and creamy chipotle sauce, sautéed corn and onion, Spanish rice, and a cookie. (Mexican-influenced)
• Roasted eggplant dressed in lemon and olive oil with sautéed vegetables on a wrap, served with garlic-lemon-cilantro potato and a cookie. (Lebanese-influenced)

Saturday Lunch

• Beef Kafta Wrap with lettuce, tomato, pickled red onion, and hummus, served with a side salad and a cookie. (Lebanese-influenced)
• Asian Buddha Bowl (rice, broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, cucumber, tofu) with peanut butter dressing, served with a vegetarian samosa and a cookie. (Indian-influenced)

Evening dinners during the festival are available at the Lodge’s Little Cabin Cafe — paid separately from tickets and reserved in advance. Additional dining options in the area include Eagle Harbor Inn (Eagle Harbor), Fitzgerald’s (Eagle River), Glacia Tavern (Mohawk), and Mariner North (Copper Harbor).

Tickets & Participation

Festival tickets are $250 per person + tax, including access to all presentations, workshops, and the Rustic and Worldly Lunches on Friday and Saturday. With attendance limited to 50 participants, the experience remains intimate and intentional. The last day to purchase tickets is April 12, 2026. The festival has sold out every year since its inaugural edition in 2023.

Please indicate your lunch preference (meat or vegetarian) at time of purchase. For more information and to register, visit the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge website.

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[ Print Version (PDF): PR 20260311 – Full Speaker Lineup and Schedule announced for the Fourth Annual Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival ]