Get your beauty sleep while you can, Alberta, because this Lyrids Meteor Shower will light up the night sky this month and you won’t want to miss it!
Known for producing up to 20 ‘shooting stars’ every hour during its peak, this celestial event will begin on April 15th and be visible until April 29th, 2024, however, if you want to guarantee a memorable experience, we’d recommend checking it out during its peak on the 22nd.
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Want to join the rest of Canada’s space-loving community? You’ll have to know what to bring and where to go to avoid light pollution.
“The Lyrids are best viewed in the Northern Hemisphere during the dark hours (after moonset and before dawn),” says NASA.
“Come prepared with a sleeping bag, blanket, or lawn chair. Lie flat on your back with your feet facing east and look up, taking in as much of the sky as possible. After about 30 minutes in the dark, your eyes will adapt and you will begin to see meteors.”
As for your destination? Here are 5 of the most spectacular places to watch the Lyrids Meteor Shower in Alberta this month:
Cypress Hills Provincial Park
Cypress Hills was actually Alberta’s very first preserve and is one of the very best. Due to its high elevation and lack of urban light pollution, this place is a must for jr. astronomers during this April’s event.
Where: See directions here
Jasper Dark Sky Preserve
Located about 4 hours from Edmonton, Jasper Dark Sky Preserve is the second-largest preserve in the world and is one of the most beautiful places in Canada – especially in the evening!
Where: 1 Old Lodge Rd, Jasper, AB
Waterton International Dark Sky Park
Half of the world’s first cross-border dark sky preserve, Waterton is another we’d recommend visiting. Here you can see the stars and take in the surrounding sights in one of Canada’s most beautiful parks.
Where: See directions here
Wood Buffalo Park
The biggest and one of the best! While Jasper is the second largest, Wood Buffalo Park is actually the world’s largest and it’s totally worth visiting if you’re looking for something spectacular.
Where: See directions here
Beaver Hills
Located east of Edmonton, Beaver Hill encompasses Elk Island National Park and Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area. Here, the stars shine brighter, the air is fresher and the view is 10/10.
Where: See directions here
Ready to hit the hills, valleys and mountains? Pack a snack and enjoy!
You’re in for a treat
