Today’s post comes from Learning and Education Leader Laura Myers.
Daydreaming about camping?
Here are 12 ways to make it feel like you’re camping, all from the comfort of home!
Tag: stargazing
Nebulae of the night skies
When looking towards the centre of our Milky Way Galaxy, we can catch sight of many beautiful objects in the sky.
M8 (the Lagoon Nebula) and M20 (the Trifid Nebula) are just two of the notable objects that can be seen with a large pair of binoculars or a telescope.
The long road to Lake Superior Provincial Park’s Dark Sky Preserve
Today’s post comes from Charlotte Westcott, a Discovery Program staff member at Lake Superior Provincial Park.
As the sun sets, the stars begin to appear. Like old friends, their familiar glow brings us home no matter how far away our house may be. Our friendly acquaintances, the constellations, trace their way across the sky. The white glow of the Milky Way emerges slowly to drown out its fainter neighbours.
Far away from the light pollution of major cities, Lake Superior Provincial Park’s night sky is one of the darkest in North America.
Continue reading The long road to Lake Superior Provincial Park’s Dark Sky Preserve
The Lake Superior Provincial Park Dark Sky Preserve
On July 17, 2018, Lake Superior Provincial Park was officially recognized as a nationally certified Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, becoming our second provincial park to earn this prestigious designation.
Continue reading The Lake Superior Provincial Park Dark Sky Preserve
Astronomy for beginners
Learning about the sun, moon, stars, planets, and beyond is a rewarding experience that makes your park visit all the richer.
Being able to identify the stars and constellations brings a familiarity with the mysteries of the cosmos. Knowledgeable observers may even use the stars to navigate, just as our ancestors have for thousands of years.
But where to get started?
Stars over Killarney 2018
What happens when two great organizations work together to promote astronomy and dark skies? An incredible experience that captivated visitors from all over Ontario and beyond.
On September 22, 2018, we launched Ontario Parks’ first Dark-Sky Preserve in Killarney Provincial Park (the other is in Lake Superior Provincial Park) with a special “Stars over Killarney” program. Joining us as co-hosts for this special event were our friends at Science North, one of Canada’s best hands-on science museums.
Summer star parties 2018
Humanity’s fascination with the celestial bodies dates back millennia.
And times haven’t changed.
Star parties and night sky events are held in our parks every summer, especially in northern Ontario, where there’s less light pollution.
Continue reading Summer star parties 2018
Summer star parties 2017
Humanity’s fascination with the celestial bodies dates back millennia.
And times haven’t changed.
Camper families love stargazing especially from mid-July to late August during the Perseid meteor shower. At peak time (August 11-12) — if the skies are clear — you can see up to 50-100 meteors an hour!
Star parties are held in our parks every summer, especially in Northern Ontario, where there’s less light pollution.