Municipality of Chester
The farther you are away from those big city lights the better and bigger those stars in the sky will appear.
That means you’re sure to find the most fabulous spots to gaze away right here in the Municipality of Chester – whether you’re camping below the gorgeous skies over Graves Island Provincial Park, enjoying the evening on the deck at Oak Island Resort, or strolling along the water's edge in the Village of Chester - the milky way sure is wonderous around here!
- Timing Is Everything – ever notice how brightly those stars shine in the winter months? Well that’s because clear, crisp nights mean zero humidity. Summer nights sure are sweet but there humid nature lends a haze to the sky that might just make stargazing a wee bit blurry. Regardless of the season your best bet to see the stars is on a moonless night. Next best would be during a crescent phase. You can get the the full scoop on the moon’s current phase here and discover best night sky events here.
- Chose A Chart – just the sight of them is lovely but if you’re all about the details then be sure to pack a star chart. There are plenty of printable versions on line to make identifying constellations super simple – you’ll find plenty of skymaps here. Of course there are some awesome apps out there to make it easy as well. Here are two great FREE ones - STAR CHART NASA APP
- Bring Binoculars – it’s not always so easy to travel with a telescope and you’ll be surprised at the details even the inexpensive binoculars can provide
- Pack the Essentials – you’ll want to take a flashlight to find your way through the dark and to see any printed charts too (pro-tip – wrap the end of your flashlight with red cellophane to reduce the harshness of the white light on your night vision!). Also bring a sweater/jacket and blanket so you can enjoy your stargazing long into the night.
- Make Time to Adjust – if you’re like us you’re eager to take it all in but experts say you should give your eyes at least 15 to 20 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
- Look up and ENJOY!!!
BE ON THE LOOKOUT!!!
Be sure to watch the International Space Station when it passes over our corner of the planet - it's the third brightest object in the sky and it looks like a fast-moving plane but way higher than a plane could and traveling thousands of miles an hour faster! You can find out where it is right now by clicking here
By The Way
Located about about approx 100km/62miles south of us you’ll find Kejimkujik National Park which was designated as a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada as part of their Dark Sky Preserve Program, earning the first designation of this kind in Nova Scotia.
Outdoor shows ponder extraterrestrial life and interstellar phenomena alongside incredible imagery, music and stories. Night hikes and campfire programs examine how artificial light affects humans and wildlife, as well as the value of these Dark-Sky Preserves. For more on the park and the program click here
