With its 50-seat air-supported domed theatre and entertaining troupe of local astronomy experts, the Jasper Planetarium is the source for year-round dark sky experiences in Jasper. But during the Jasper Dark Sky Festival they take their events to a whole new level.

From stargazing atop a mountain to nighttime photography workshops to touring the most powerful telescope in the Canadian Rockies, the Jasper Planetarium has fantastic events happening every night of the festival.

Plan your festival itinerary with the help of this overview of all Jasper Planetarium events.

SKYTRAM STAR SESSION

Dress warmly and blast off with astronomy experts from the SkyTram Lower Station for an exclusive stargazing experience atop Whistlers Mountain. Your SkyTram flight will take you nearly 1 km closer to the stars above, to the SkyTram Upper Station, where you’ll have the chance to look through the most powerful telescopes in the Canadian Rockies, under the darkest skies in the Rockies. Join a guided tour of the solar system, learning about planets, galaxies, and constellations, and if you’re lucky, you might even see a meteor or the Northern Lights! You’ll also have a chance to attend a special talk on Canada’s dark skies or a quick workshop about how to photograph objects in the night sky with your DSLR camera. Includes return SkyTram flight & star gazing experience. Depart SkyTram lower station at 8 p.m., and catch a return flight between 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

This experience also has an option that includes a 3 course meal in the Jasper SkyTram’s restaurant.

When: 8:15 p.m. on Oct. 12, 13, 19, 20. The option with 3 course meal has seatings at 5:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

JASPER PLANETARIUM & TELESCOPE EXPERIENCE COMBO

In addition to being the world’s largest accessible dark sky preserve, Jasper is also one of the smallest towns in North America with its own planetarium. Enjoy an entertaining, fun and educational evening of astronomy with this combo program that includes both the Planetarium Experience & Telescope Experience. The former is a virtual guided tour within a 50-seat domed theatre with a LIVE astronomy guide. Orbit the Earth, looking down on night time storms and the auroras. Explore local constellations, the northern lights, the Milky Way, and venture right to the edge of the universe. This part of the evening includes time for a Q&A with staff. The Telescope Experience happens outside the planetarium dome, so dress warm. This interactive guided tour introduces you to the largest, most powerful telescope in the Rockies. Get an explanation of how telescopes work and how to pick the right one for you to explore the sky. Look at the latest archived imagery from telescopes in Jasper. Learn how to photograph the sky with your DSLR camera. Also, if the skies are clear enough*, participants will have a hands-on viewing through the telescopes. *NOTE: The Telescope Experience is a learning opportunity with weather permitting views of the sky. While the sky doesn’t need to be completely clear to use the telescopes, the Jasper Planetarium can’t guarantee clear skies and won’t provide refunds if the skies are too cloudy (however guests will be offered a “rain check” to re-book for another date. Minimum age: 4.

There’s also an option of just doing the Planetarium Experience, which happens every day (and during the festival often twice a day)

When: Planetarium & Telescope Experience Combo runs at 9 p.m. on Oct. 15, 16, 18

AURORA-GAZING/STARGAZING AT MALIGNE CANYON

After the classic dome theatre experience with a LIVE astronomy expert, travel to a specially-selected site in the world’s largest accessible dark sky preserve for a telescope experience in the world famous Maligne Canyon. Transportation to the canyon is included, with return shuttles available throughout the night. Duration: up to 3 hours. As with all the Telescope Experiences, the skies don’t need to be completely clear to use the telescopes. However, clear skies are not guaranteed and there will be no refunds in case of sub-optimal weather. Guests will however have the option to “rain check” and re-book for another date if-desired. Minimum age: 4

This experience also has a self-drive option, where guests supply their own transportation to/from Maligne Canyon.

When: 9 p.m. on Oct. 12, 14, 17, 19, 21, with an extra 10 p.m. showing on Oct. 19

SOLAR-GAZING & PLANETARIUM

Did you know that you can still enjoy Jasper dark sky preserve when it’s not dark? Whether you’re limited by early bedtimes or just eager for a new perspective on the heavens above, this daytime event will guide you through the local constellations and auroras via the classic Planetarium Experience, then with the help of safety-filters you can view solar flares and other details on the Sun with one of our knowledgeable astronomy experts.

When: 3 p.m. on Oct. 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21; 2 p.m. on Oct. 20

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