A meteor shower is active, and you can spot it in and around Edmonton this week.
The Geminid meteor shower is currently active, running from Dec. 4 to Dec. 17, although the peak days are Dec. 13 and 14 in Edmonton. This is usually the strongest meteor shower of the year, and on peak days, you can witness up to 100 meteors per hour.
We’ve got some of the best spots to view the meteor shower in and around Edmonton, so without further ado, here they are.
Best spots in and around Edmonton to see the Geminid meteor shower
Beaver Hills
The Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve was established in 2006 in partnership with Alberta Parks to conserve biodiversity and cultural diversity within the area. Located just east of Edmonton, this preserve has some of the best stargazing spots in the region.
Here, the stars shine brighter, the air is fresher, and the view is 10/10. This dark sky preserve encompasses Elk Island National Park, Miquelon Lake Provincial Park, and the Blackfoot Dark Site.
Where: Directions
Blackfoot Dark Site
The Blackfoot Dark Site is part of the Blackfoot Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area. This dark site is the most popular with members of the RASC and the general public.
This dark site is the perfect spot for a place completely devoid of light pollution. For this reason, this dark site provides the best opportunity to take in the cosmos.
Dark sites have etiquette to follow, so be sure you’re familiar with the local rules.
Where: Directions
Lakeland Provincial Park
Alberta’s Lakeland Provincial Park and Recreation Area was designated as an RASC Dark-Sky Preserve in 2016. This park offers a few first-come, first-served campsites, a large backcountry trail network, as well as Pinehurst Lake Campground, a reservable camp location.
Where: 13 kilometres east of Lac La Biche on Hwy. 663 and 7 east on the access road.
RASC Observatory — TELUS World of Science
The RASC Observatory is located in Coronation Park, just southeast of the TELUS World of Science.
Depending on weather and temperature conditions, the RASC Observatory offers free public observing throughout the year. Visitors can regularly view the Sun, the Moon, various planets, stars, galaxies, and nebulae. Summer hours of operation mean the observatory is open daily, weather permitting.
There is no guarantee it will be open for observation, but we recommend checking it out since it’s right in the city.
Where: Coronation Park — 11425 142nd St. NW, Edmonton, Alta.
We’d also recommend heading up to Sturgeon County or out west of the city, as light pollution is far less. As long as the sky is clear and bright, we’re sure you’ll be able to catch a glimpse of this beautiful phenomenon.
Have fun watching the sky, and stay warm while you do!
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Alyssa Gallardo
Alyssa is a Staff Writer for Dished and Curiocity Edmonton. She’s a big fan of everything entertainment, and can always be seen running around the city going from concert to concert.
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