Author Archives: Peter McMahon

Kawartha Highlands column in Sky News magazine: web extras

In the May/June 2013 issue of Sky News magazine, I write in my Wilderness Astronomer column about a dark sky preserve that never-was. At times, Ontario Parks calls it a “Provincial Park“…at other times, it’s a “Signature Site“.  Link to … Continue reading

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Web extras for Sky News column on the Bluewater Dark Sky Preserve

Despite being home to Canada’s first dark sky preserve in 1999 (Torrance Barrens in the Muskokas) Ontario spent the decade that followed that achievement lagging behind provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan in both quantity and quality of dark sky preserves. … Continue reading

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Peterborough Planetarium debuts custom wilderness environments

Science journalist/author/”Wilderness Astronomer” Peter McMahon and accomplished astrophotographer and amateur astronomer Rick Stankiewicz are proud to announce the opening of The Peterborough Planetarium – Durham and The Kawarthas’ newest attraction and educational facility. Views under the dome will eventually include … Continue reading

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Staff training at Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge

Thanks to Stefanie Hamilton and the rest of the Jasper Park Lodge staff for putting me up for two weeks during year two of Dark Skies month here. Over the last two years, Link to this post!

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Stargazing at Old Fort Point

For those who were on my dark sky tour last night in the Canadian Rockies (and those who are wondering where this is) a stellar time seemed to be had by all on a very crisp and clear October 6. … Continue reading

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Could this be the world’s first cross-border dark sky park?

It all started when a group of astronomy club members from Montana couldn’t make a planned guided stargazing weekend for visitors to Waterton Lakes National Park in Southern Alberta: “OK we’ll hire you…the free guys can’t make it” was basically … Continue reading

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Web links for Sky News magazine column on Point Pelee

On-assignment for Sky News magazine, I was lucky enough to be invited to view the Transit of Venus (next one’s in 2117 in case you missed this one) at Point Pelee National Park – one of North America’s premiere birdwatching … Continue reading

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Portable telescope demos on CBC Peterborough

June 14, I had the fun task of demonstrating some of the kids science experiments I’m offering for kids who sign up for one of my 2012 Summer Discovery day camps at the Peterborough Museum and Archives. (00:09 – 01:44) … Continue reading

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Transit of Venus from Canada’s bird-watching paradise

I was lucky enough to be invited to view the Transit of Venus (next one’s in 2117 in case you missed this one) at Point Pelee National Park – one of North America’s premiere birdwatching locales and a recently-minted dark … Continue reading

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The “nearly-foolproof” guide to viewing the Transit of Venus

June 5 will be the last of two recent opportunities (the last was 2004) to see the disc of Venus pass across the face of the Sun as seen from Earth. Before this month’s passage and the 2004 event, we … Continue reading

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