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Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site of Canada

Dark Skies

Night sky © Parks Canada/L. Coldwell
Night sky © Parks Canada/L. Coldwell


On your next visit to Kejimkujik, keep in mind that a spectacular sunset is just the prelude to the wonders of the night sky. On a clear night, Kejimkujik’s dreamy dome reveals a cavalcade of thousands of stars.

Plan to explore the science, legends, and beauty of the universe as it drifts over your campsite.

Kejimkujik Dark Sky Preserve

Dark Sky Preserve © Parks Canada/RASC

Kejimkujik was designated as a Dark Sky Preserve in 2010 by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada as part of their Dark Sky Preserve Program. As a DSP, Kejimkujik is committed to protecting the nighttime environment from the effects of artificial lighting. Educating visitors about the ecological and cultural importance of dark skies are key elements of the DSP program. The designation is the first in Nova Scotia.

Protecting the dark skyscapes of Kejimkujik benefits stargazers as well as wildlife. Studies have shown that many of the biological and behavioural activities of plants, animals and insects that rely on night darkness to forage, breed and navigate are adversely affected by light pollution.

As a Dark Sky Preserve, Kejimkujik gives present and future generations a chance to gaze upon the same stars seen by the Mik’maq, European explorers, and early settlers. In the summer, Kejimkujik offers public astronomy programs and an interpretation program exploring the significance of the night sky in Mi’kmaw culture and history.


Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
RASC - Dark Sky Preserve Guidelines
Astronomy Nova Scotia

Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters (video)
Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters is a traditional sky story that has been handed down from generation to generation as part of the rich oral history of the Mi’kmaq First Nation. The story links the annual cycle of the seasons as observed by the Mi’kmaq with the movement of stars above the North Celestial pole.

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