A penumbral lunar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s partial shadow, or penumbra. During this type of eclipse the Moon will darken slightly but not completely.

Known as the Beaver Moon as it is the time of year beavers store branches near their lodge for winter food. Since beavers are nocturnal, I wonder if their work is made easier under the light of a full moon. This moon is also known as the Frost Moon as November is when first frost occurs for many [not on the North Shore – where it happens in September].

2020/2021 Season

First Tracks: Nov 14-15 and Nov 21-22
Thanksgiving Weekend: Nov 26-29
Fri-Sun: Dec 4-6

Open Daily: Dec 11, 2020 – Apr 11, 2021

Extended Weekend: April 17-18 and 24-25, and May 1-2

*Holiday Dates: Dec 26-Jan 3; Jan 16-18 and Feb 13-15

Local artisans selling their wares – jewelry, wood products, food, soaps, knit/crochet goods, etc.  Masks are required!

Join us for an evening enjoying Christmas cookies and hot chocolate around the fireplace while we recount the age-old tale of A Visit From St. Nicholas and maybe join in singing a few Christmas carols as well.

2020/2021 Season

First Tracks: Nov 14-15 and Nov 21-22
Thanksgiving Weekend: Nov 26-29
Fri-Sun: Dec 4-6

Open Daily: Dec 11, 2020 – Apr 11, 2021

Extended Weekend: April 17-18 and 24-25, and May 1-2

*Holiday Dates: Dec 26-Jan 3; Jan 16-18 and Feb 13-15

The Geminids is the king of the meteor showers. It is considered by many to be the best shower in the heavens, producing up to 120 multicolored meteors per hour at its peak. It is produced by debris left behind by an asteroid known as 3200 Phaethon, which was discovered in 1982. The shower runs annually from December 7-17. It peaks this year on the night of the 13th and morning of the 14th. The morning of the 15th could also be nearly as active this year. The nearly new moon will ensure dark skies for what should be an excellent show.

Meteors will radiate from the constellation Gemini, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

A conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn will take place on December 21. This rare conjunction of these two planets is known as a great conjunction. The last great conjunction occurred in the year 2000. The two bright planets will appear only 7 arc minutes of each other in the night sky. They will be so close that they will appear to make a bright double planet. Look to the west just after sunset for this impressive and rare planetary pair.

The Ursids is a minor meteor shower producing about 5-10 meteors per hour. It is produced by dust grains left behind by comet Tuttle, which was first discovered in 1790. The shower runs annually from December 17-25. It peaks this year on the the night of the 21st and morning of the 22nd. The first quarter moon should set just after midnight leaving dark skies for what could be a good show.

Meteors will radiate from the constellation Ursa Minor, but can appear anywhere in the sky.

On the North Shore, sunrise will be about 7:45 am and sunset will be about 4:15 pm, making it the shortest day and longest night of the year. The South Pole of the earth will be tilted toward the Sun, which will have reached its southernmost position in the sky and will be directly over the Tropic of Capricorn at 23.44 degrees south latitude. This is the first day of winter.

This one is pretty self explanatory. Just remember in the southern hemisphere the Cold Moon is in June.

Join Michael Monroe for an enchanting evening of north shore harmonies…a performance and reception in his beautiful log home on the North Shore of Lake Superior, located 7 miles outside of Grand Marais.

2020 DATES
December 31 and January 1 2021 – special holiday pricing

Details and reservations.

Lake Superior freezes over completely once every 20 years, and averages about 50% ice cover. In March 2019, it froze over 91% [pictured here].