Dark Sky Observing Sites
Do you have a favourite public observing location? If so, please click here to send us the address so that we can add it to our list below.
ALBERTA
Edmonton, Alberta observers mainly use two locations, the Blackfoot and Waskahegan sites near Elk Island National Park
• Maps and information are available at: http://www.spacealberta.com/sites.htm
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park| More information
•Dark Sky Preserve stradling SE Alberta and SW Saskatchewan
BRITISH COLUMBIA
McDonald Dark Sky Park | Abbotsford, B.C. | Map and more info
Loon Lake Road Reclamation Site | Website
Merritt B.C. (Nicola Valley Regional District)
• Bortle Site Rating # 2. Faint shadows cast by the Milky Way are visible on white objects. Clouds are black holes in the sky. No light domes. The Milky Way has faint extentions making it 50 degrees thick. Limiting magnitude 7.1 to 7.5.
• Used by the Merritt Astronomical Society
MANITOBA
Agassiz Tower | Map
• Located 15 minutes south of Dauphin, Manitoba, just off of Highway #10 in Riding Mountain National Park.
• Elevated tower puts you above the skyline with dark sky. Site is an observation deck during the day. Campgrounds available at nearby Moon Lake. Park pass required.
ONTARIO
Charleston Lake Provincial Park | 613-659-2065
• Half-hour west of Brockville, Ontario, close to Highway 401 (shown on provincial road maps).
• Has one acre observing field protected from lights specifically for astronomy (ask staff for location) available May to October whether you camp in park or not.
• Extensive camping facilities.
• Skies very dark for a location so far south in Ontario.
• Hosts "Astronomy Night" once a year in August.
Torrance Barrens Dark Sky Preserve | Website | More information
Dark Sky Preserve located in Muskoka.
• For more information, click on 'website' above, or 'more information'
• Access to the Torrance Barrens is off District Road 13 (Southwood Road). If you are coming north on Highway 11, turn west onto District Road 13 (between Gravenhurst and Washago), then drive about 20 minutes until you see the brown Torrance Barrens sign on your right. Parking is in the area to the left of the sign. An alternate route is to turn south onto District Road 13 from the village of Torrance on Highway 169. Drive on District Road 13 until you see the sign and parking area.
Four-acre observing site located on the north shore of Lake Erie.
• No light pollution and an almost 360º viewing area.
• Can accommodate 10 to 15 observers.
• No facilities.
• Contact K. Lomas for more information.
Binbook Conservation Area
• Approximately 16 km south of Hamilton.
• A favourite dark-sky observing site for the Hamilton Amateur Astronomers (HAA) and members of the Hamilton Centre of The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada. The horizon to the south is clear to -40° declination and particularly spectacular during the summer months for viewing all of Scorpius and Sagittarius. Public events, such as the annual Perseid meteor watch, attract upwards of 200 observers. Amateur astronomers have access throughout the year without charge for nighttime observing.
• Contact the HAA for more information: http://amateurastronomy.org
Fingal Wildlife Management Area | More information and map
• RASC London Centre observing location, 30 km from London, Ontario.
• 360 degree viewing, horizon to horizon, extremely dark skies.
• Night sky is typically magnitude 5.7 on a clear night.
Gordon's Park Dark Sky Preserve | More information
• Located at Gordon's Park on Hwy 6 on Manitoulin Island
• 7.5 + magnitude, no light pollution, darkest skies in the province of Ontario.
• Good southern exposure.
• Rustic but comfortable camping with facilities, private road access, observing fields and meadows.
• Accessible for camping and observing anytime May - October.
• Hosts "Thursday Nights Astronomy" in July and August, Stargazing Manitoulin in July and The Manitoulin Star Party in August.
• 705-859-2470
SASKATCHEWAN
Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park| More information
•Dark Sky Preserve stradling SE Alberta and SW Saskatchewan
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