The month of October is dark sky month in Jasper National Park and what better way to celebrate than with a festival. The sixth annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival runs from Oct. 14 – 23 and celebrates Jasper National Park’s distinction as a dark sky preserve.
Parks Canada, along with Tourism Jasper, the Friends of Jasper National Park, the community and numerous volunteers have invited visitors to experience Jasper’s must-see, dark skies and participate in stargazing opportunities.
Parks Canada dark sky interpreters always look forward to the festival and will be offering special programming throughout.
Oct. 14: Stargazing and Stories
Meet at Marmot Meadows (in Whistler Campground, five km south of Jasper) from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The stars have been the source of our stories for thousands of years, inspiring myths and legends still known today.  Join Parks Canada interpreters with their array of laser pointers and telescopes for a fun introduction to Jasper’s night sky. Then wind down the evening by the campfire, enjoy a cup of tea, and indulge in stories inspired by the stars.
Oct. 15: Why Dark Skies Matter
At Centennial Field beginning at 1 p.m.
Jasper National Park is one of the world’s largest designated dark sky preserves and we are proud of this recognition. Just what does it take to maintain this status? How does it benefit visitors, wildlife, and residents? Join us for a special presentation to find out the answers to these questions, and why we love our dark skies.
Oct 15: Star Gazing
At the Info Centre Lawn at 8 p.m.
Join Parks Canada interpreters for an evening of viewing celestial forms through binoculars and telescopes. Or bring out your own telescope and swap ideas about sky exploration.
Oct. 21 and 22: Big Bang Expo
At Centennial Field from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m Saturday,
11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday
Nocturnal animal adaptations
While the stars may show themselves off during dark nights in Japer, the animals are doing quite the opposite. Join a Parks Canada interpreter to learn firsthand how Jasper’s nocturnal animals thrive in the darkness with our display surrounding nocturnal animal adaptations.
Green screen photo opportunity
Not everyone wants to wait up until 3 a.m. to get the perfect picture of the dark sky - although we applaud those who do.
If you want to be in that dramatic dark sky photo but also want to keep your regular sleep pattern, drop by our green screen and we’ll be your photographer. You can choose from three different dark sky backdrops.
Oct. 21: Beyond the Stars
At Lake Annette at 8 p.m.
Orientation to the night sky: Join Parks Canada’s Brian Catto on the shores of Lake Annette for a laser pointer tour of the stars and celestial features.
Music by the fire: It was stories and songs shared from one generation to the next, not scribbles and scribes in books that served to pass along the history and culture of Indigenous Peoples. Gather around a cozy campfire and learn some of the stories and songs significant to the area, and immerse yourself in the rhythm of local Indigenous cultures.
More information is available on the Park’s Canada website or at the Info Centre.
Parks Canada - Special to the 51°µÍø
