Long Lake Conservation Center near Palisade
This report is brought to you by Helen, Bella, Macy and the campers from Astronomy Camp at Long Lake from July 31 - August 3, 2026.
“During Astronomy Camp at Long Lake Conservation Center from July 31-Aug. 3, the temps were a pleasant high of 83 degrees with a low of 54.
“Some haze from the wildfires blew in, turning the waxing gibbous moon a brilliant red. It didn’t help stargazing, but it sure was beautiful. Other extra-terrestrial sightings included clear views of the Milky Way, the Big and Little Dipper, Cassiopea, Orion, a double star, and sun spots we saw through a hydrogen alpha solar telescope.
“Through the Minnesota Astronomical Society’s 25- and 30-inch Dobsonian telescopes, we saw the Lagoon Nebula, Ring Nebula, Dumbbell Nebula, Swan Nebula, the Whirlpool Galaxy and the Hercules Cluster. Thanks to the Minnesota Astronomical Society for sharing the universe with us.
“In terrestrial sightings, we saw a large adult snapping turtle in the lake, and enjoyed hearing the loons calling at night. We saw a cicada, Downy Woodpecker, woodchuck, chipmunks, dragonflies, a garter snake, a bumblebee asleep on a flower, a tiny frog, a katydid, and a hummingbird moth. We also saw a fawn and a doe. The fawn was about a third the size of the doe and still had clearly visible spots.
“We had a great week of camp and we want to remind everyone to unplug, get outside, LOOK UP, and LIVE CONNECTED!”
Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids
Listener talkbacks
What have you seen out there? Let us know: email us at comments@kaxe.org or text us at 218-326-1234.
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Emma Krab/KAXEThe University of Minnesota’s Natural Resources Research Institute, or NRRI, launched a new simulator to test innovations in iron refining July 27, 2026, in Coleraine. -
Warm water temperatures across the state go along with an increasing number of fish mortality events, where a large number of fish die at once. -
Lorie Shaull/KAXEPeriods of reduced air quality due to wildfire smoke are expected for the rest of the warm season as fires continue to burn in Northern Minnesota and Canada. -
Contributed/Bridget Bennett / MinnPost / CatchLight Local / Report for AmericaAs wildfires burn, they release a mixture of toxic compounds like heavy metals, mercury and carcinogenic chemicals that form from burning organic matter. -
Epidemiologist Elizabeth Schiffman joined the KAXE Morning Show to talk ticks after a death from a rare tick disease in the Brainerd lakes area. There are many rare diseases and types of ticks in Minnesota. -
Forty-six lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands were added, including Big Stony Lake near Park Rapids, Emily Lake in Crow Wing County and Birch Lake in Hackensack.
