You don’t have to be a professional astronomer to go stargazing in Northeastern Ontario's Killarney Provincial Park, but a new Dark Sky Preserve, upgraded Park Observatory, and expert astronomy guides sure do help.
Killarney’s new Dark Sky Preserve is a Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) designated area where visitors can observe the celestial landscape with luminous visibility. With a telescope or the naked eye, visitors can marvel at brilliant Northern Lights, meteor showers, planets, the Milky Way, and stars with tremendous detail and clarity.
Along with the new Dark Sky Preserve status, Killarney is ramping up its astronomy programs to connect visitors to the celestial galaxies above.
This year, Killarney Provincial Park is upgrading its public observatory to allow more people to view deep sky features like star clusters, meteor showers, the rings of Saturn, the phases of Venus, the spectacular craters on the moon, and much more. An expert team of Astronomers-in-Residence will be on hand to help deliver exciting new programming designed to engage more park visitors with the celestial landscape.
The Park currently offers formal interpretive programs throughout the summer months and informal drop in sessions with some of its volunteers and staff. Park Superintendant Jeremy Pawson is particularly proud of the new Dark Sky Preserve Designation:
To celebrate the new Dark Sky Preserve, Killarney Provincial Park is hosting their first official Star Party on September 22. A new “Stars Over Killarney” event sponsored by Science North, is also in the works.
Visitors to Science North will be bussed out to Killarney Provincial Park to enjoy an afternoon at the Park and then a night of astronomy including learning First Nations constellations, a planet walk (scale model of the solar system) done at night from the amphitheatre to the Observatory, and a night of observing at the telescope.
More special programs will be added for events such as a solar eclipse.
According to Park Superintendant Jeremy Pawson, earning this coveted designation took two years. To secure and maintain RASC Dark Sky Preserve designation, the Park adheres to active measures designed to educate and promote the reduction of light pollution.
Bruce Waters, one of Killarney Park’s Astronomers-in-Residence, volunteered his time to help establish the Dark Sky Preserve. His passion for astronomy is clear:
Out-of-this-world views and stunning photographs aren’t the only benefits that Dark Sky Preserves offer. According to Waters:
If you’re planning a visit to Killarney, you can connect with the Park’s Interpretive staff when you arrive. They will be armed with knowledge of current viewing conditions and astronomy program scheduling.
For updates on Killarney’s Astronomy Programs, check the website and follow Killarney Provincial Park on Twitter.
