Endless Star Party
From August 29 through September 1, 2024, it’s another week of night sights in the Wood Buffalo National Park Dark Sky Preserve at the Dark Sky Festival [DSF]. The park’s 44,807 km2 (17,300 mi2) sit on the border of Canada’s Northwest Territories and the province of Alberta. The Preserve is presently larger than all the Dark Sky sites on Earth combined.
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC) program of designating Canadian Dark Sky Preserves increases public awareness of night sky dazzle. Dark sky conservation also provides ecological benefits for nocturnal wildlife. These especially dark sky areas are accessible to the public and include commitments from local communities to control and demonstrate good nighttime lighting practices, along with providing outreach programs.
In Fort Smith, NT, the Thebacha and Wood Buffalo Astronomical Society [TAWBAS] host The Dark Sky Festival [DSF]. Get your sleep in during the day because these night skies will pop your eyeballs!
TAWBAS is also home to the Dr. Roberta Bondar Northern Observatory, a comfy, snug place to check out Wood Buffalo National Park’s Dark Skies.
B Bondar / Real World Content Advantage