Looking for a more vivid view of the auroras? Go here
The folks at Waterton Lakes National Park are striving to do all they can to minimize light pollution and restore the night sky to its full, healthy glory
Did your look at the latest aurora borealis have you wondering why your view looked a little less vivid than all those pictures on social media?
Well, if you’re in a big city, chances are that light pollution is to blame.
Not only do the many lights shining bright through the night in most urban areas obscure the sky, studies have shown excessive artificial light can lead to negative health effects in humans, wildlife, flora and fauna.
That’s why the folks at Waterton Lakes National Park are striving to do all they can to minimize light pollution and restore the night sky to its full, healthy glory.
The LED streetlights installed throughout Waterton Lakes National Park not only direct light downward, but feature a bespoke 1650K colour temperature which features a wavelength that make the light less likely to be scattered by particles in the air. (Photo credit: Connor O’Donovan/The Weather Network)
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Officials at Parks Canada and the village of Waterton recently completed the installation of custom light fixtures designed to minimize light pollution.
“Even in the Waterton townsite, with the minimal light pollution the community generates, you can really enjoy the night sky,” said Waterton resident Keith Robinson, who owns and operates Dark Sky Guides, which offers guided stargazing tours throughout the year in the national park.
“And all it takes is a two-minute drive from the Waterton townsite, and you start to find incredible dark skies.
Thanks to the community’s efforts, in 2021 Waterton Lakes was deemed an “International Dark Sky Park," in conjunction with neighbouring Glacier National Park in Montana, by the International Dark Sky Association.
So, if you’re looking for a better view of the cosmos, chances are you can find one at Waterton Lakes National Park, where artificial lighting is also limited mostly to where it's necessary for public safety.
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Of course, you’ll still need a bit of notice to get into position to see the aurora. Stay tuned to The Weather Network for an inside scoop on the next solar storm.
And, even if the northern lights don’t make an appearance, you’re still guaranteed an amazing show featuring constellations, galaxies, shooting stars, and more, as long as the skies are clear.
The Messier 82 “Cigar Galaxy” is seen through a telescope on a Dark Sky Guides tour. (Dark Sky Guides)
