Edmonton 
Located southeast of Edmonton, the Miquelon Lake Provincial Park is a great day trip for all who want to escape the city.
Hesje Observatory in Miquelon Lake Provincial Park; Alberta Parks
The park is known for its many hiking and mountain biking trails, wildlife, and birds. Being part of the Beaver Hills Dark-Sky Preserve, the park is also the perfect place to enjoy an excellent view of the sky. The Hesje Observatory, which opened on January 12, 2021, makes the University of Alberta the only university in Western Canada to have an observatory in a Dark-Sky Preserve.
The observatory has a dome at the top of the tower to provide an unhindered view of the sky above the trees. There is also a deck space where people stand or bring their portable telescopes and gaze up at the sky.
The observatory features a 17” Corrected Dall-Kirkham (CDK17) telescope from PlaneWave, which is mounted permanently on a PlaneWave L-series 500 altazimuth mount. The higher aperture would give this telescope a higher light-gathering power and provide a sharper and detailed image.
The observatory also has a Celestron Edge HD 11″ portable telescope, which can be used to take pictures of night sky objects.
The University of Alberta offers Thursday evening drop-in stargazing sessions at the Hesje Observatory, with no registration required. Weekly start times and weather updates are posted on their calendar and social media platforms. The drop-in rate is $15 per person, payable at the door. Visitors unsure about operating status can email hesjeobservatory@ualberta.ca for confirmation. The observatory is also available for private bookings through its Stargazing and Astronomy program, which provides two hours of exclusive access.
The year 2026 is set to feature numerous astronomical events, including several meteor showers, making it an ideal year for stargazing. If you’re planning a visit to Miquelon Lake Provincial Park to enjoy the night sky, consider using the astronomical calendar to align your trip with these celestial displays.
