10 Oct 2019
Tags: dark skies, Dark Sky Preserve, festivals, Culinary, Science, Space, Astronomy, astrophotography, Northern Lights, Aurora Borealis, Canadian Rockies, Jasper National Park, Alberta, educational, Family Friendly
Jasper, Canada (October 9, 2019)
The Jasper Dark Sky Festival, the largest annual stargazing celebration in the Canadian Rockies, returns for its ninth year October 18 through 27.
The ten-day festival brings together renowned scientists, astronauts, researchers and fascinating folks inspired by the wonders of the universe and beyond.
New this year, the cost of the STAR package, has been reduced to $50 (a family-friendly discount of 64% from last year thanks to amazing festival sponsors). Dark sky enthusiasts can attend both the keynote presentation by Jad Abumrad, creator and host of Radiolab, and the fascinating SPACEtalks panel where the race to Mars will be discussed. Simply put, the STAR package is two great events for one great price!
The Jasper Dark Festival has gained a reputation for having a lineup of celebrated speakers and this year is no different. Science for Breakfast features Nick Pope, one of the world's leading experts on UFO's, Seth Shostak, Senior Astronomer at the SETI Institute and Bob McDonald, one of Canada's best-known science journalists. Astronaut Dr. Robert Thirsk and scientist-astronaut candidate Dr. Shawna Pandya will tackle big race-to-Mars questions in the audience favourite event, SPACEtalks.
Astrophotographer Jack Fusco and adventure photographer Jeff Bartlett will host a guided session on how to photograph the stars and Jay Ingram, Canada's beloved science broadcaster, and the Beaker Band will make another appearance at the festival.
Free events will include a laser guided tour of the constellations by Parks Canada, guided evening hikes at Lake Annette and the Telus World of Science Edmonton will be on hand with their giant inflatable moon locating the Apollo Moon landing sites and their inflatable planetarium presenting shows on the night sky and the history of human space flight.
Festival tickets and additional Jasper Dark Sky Festival information can be found at https://jasperdarksky.travel/
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About Tourism Jasper
Tourism Jasper is the official marketing organization of Jasper and Jasper National Park, Canada's base of adventure. As the keepers of the Jasper brand, our role is to present Jasper as it really is: an awe-inspiring and authentic Rocky Mountain destination – the entry point to Canada's most epic adventures. It is from here that the greatest personal expeditions begin; where explorers and wanderers from around the world collect to enjoy activities, accommodations, restaurants, and businesses of the town of Jasper, before taking on the real Canadian Rockies of Jasper National Park.
