A group gathers under the night sky on Surry Hill Oct. 28 as John Meader of Northern Stars Planetarium leads a guided exploration of constellations and celestial wonders in Fayette. Submitted photo

FAYETTE — Against a glowing October sunset, approximately 35 participants gathered for a hike and Night Sky Tour led by John Meader, director of Northern Stars Planetarium, at Surry Hill in Fayette. Hosted by the Kennebec Land Trust [KLT] on Oct. 28, the event offered a unique chance to explore the stars from a nearly 360-degree view atop the hill.

“We took a tour of the visible constellations we could see overhead that night,” Meader said. “I shared stories, facts, and trivia about the stars and deep sky objects hidden in their midst.” The event took place without telescopes, given the trek to the summit, though Meader encouraged participants to bring binoculars. “I was glad to lead people to some great binocular objects through a method known as star-hopping,” he added.

As the evening deepened, Venus emerged brightly against the darkening sky, soon followed by Saturn and Jupiter. “There are several highlights, first there will be the planets Saturn and Jupiter visible which always provide lots of interesting discussion,” Meader had shared ahead of the event. “We are viewing just at the peak of the Orionid Meteor shower, so we’ll definitely be watching for shooting stars and discussing that.”

Attendees watched in awe as constellations began to make their debut, including Cassiopeia, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cygnus the Swan, Delphinus the Dolphin and Andromeda the Princess. Later, constellations such as Pegasus, Aquila the Eagle, Cepheus the King and Perseus the Hero became visible. “We discussed star colors, binary stars, supernovae, galaxies, and distances,” said Meader, adding that observing the Andromeda Galaxy – “the most distant thing you can see without a telescope” – was an unforgettable moment for many.

Another highlight was spotting Comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS in the western sky. “We may very well have a comet visible,” Meader had shared beforehand. “And there’s also the possibility of maybe seeing the star T Cor Bor, otherwise known as the Blaze Star, shining brightly for the first time in 80 years, a nova!”

The Milky Way arcs across the night sky during the Night Sky Tour on Surry Hill Oct. 28, offering participants a breathtaking view of the galaxy in Fayette. Submitted photo

Weather conditions were a crucial factor for the tour. Meader explained, “If it’s cloudy, the event that evening will be canceled, and I will discuss with the folks at the land trust about possible reschedule dates. Sometimes we start, and the clouds come in and cut us a bit short, but it usually doesn’t end the adventure of exploring the skies as the stars often lead to fascinating discussions, even after the clouds come in.” Fortunately, clear skies prevailed, providing ideal conditions for the tour.

With over 40 years of experience guiding Night Sky Tours, Meader emphasized the importance of tailoring presentations to the audience, especially when children are present. “I always tailor each presentation to whatever audience is present,” he explained. “If there are children, I focus on objects that I know will capture their imaginations, especially planets, constellations and special stars.” He believes that engaging young participants often captivates adults as well. “Kids love stories, and the stars are filled with skylore, so when there are children present, I often tell a few more stories than I probably would for an adult group,” he added.

The Night Sky Tour also provided an opportunity for philosophical reflection. “Spending time under the stars leads people to wonder and awe,” Meader shared. “It also leads everyone to the big questions for which we still don’t have answers: ‘Does it end?’ ‘How did we get here?’ ‘Is there life out there?’ ‘What happened before the big bang?’ I think pondering those questions under a starry firmament is important; not to find the answers, but to ponder our place in a vast universe. Sometimes the questions are more important than the answers.”

Discussions revolved around sightings of a variety of constellations, the comet Tsuchinshan-ATLAS, the Andromeda Galaxy, the Milky Way, and a handful of shooting stars.

For participants, the tour was more than a chance to observe celestial phenomena; it was a reminder of the vastness and beauty of the cosmos.