In the Jan/Feb 2016 edition of SkyNews Magazine, I wrote about Old Man On His Back Ranch, a Nature Conservancy of Canada area designated a Nocturnal Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC.)
In addition to being perhaps the perfect dark sky observing location in Canada, the area Continue reading “SkyNews web extras: Exploring Old Man On His Back Ranch, SK” »
This past spring, I accepted the position in Jasper National Park and Dark Sky Preserve as full-time astronomer-in-residence, as well as manager and senior-presenter at The Jasper Planetarium.
I’ll actually be dividing my time between Ontario and Alberta now but since writing the initial article on new happenings in Continue reading “SkyNews web extras: Planetarium opens in Jasper dark sky preserve, AB” »
This month, I’ve had the honour of writing for Above & Beyond, the in-flight magazine of First Air – one of the airlines that generously brought me to the NWT to speak at their annual tourism AGM.
In that article, I wrote about Continue reading “Above & Beyond magazine aurora column – web extras” »
This September, I spent a week in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories and Wood Buffalo National Park, Canada’s latest dark sky preserve.
At 44,000 square km, “Wood Buff'” is now the Continue reading “Photos from upcoming article on Wood Buffalo national park” »
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 photorealistic horizons from many of Canada’s dark sky Continue reading “Peterborough Planetarium debuts custom wilderness environments” »
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 locales and – as of 2006 – an RASC-designated dark sky preserve.
*** SKIP TO RESOURCES BELOW ***
Because of our location in this migratory bird-watching haven, we ended up with the added treat of seeing thousands of swallows, warblers, and other species flit occasionally in front of our telescope views. Continue reading “Web links for Sky News magazine column on Point Pelee” »
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)
At the same time, I also demoed some of the portable stargazing gear we’ll be using (02:12 – 10:14) which you can also use during a car, shoe, or canoe-based camping trip during the Awesome Astro Adventure camp.
Click to check out all the Continue reading “Portable telescope demos on CBC Peterborough” »
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 sky preserve.
After hours of white knuckle weather forecasts, the skies cleared and we got to see the beautiful sight of the second Continue reading “Transit of Venus from Canada’s bird-watching paradise” »
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 last saw such a transit in 1884.
The next transit of Venus after Tuesdays? It’ll be Continue reading “The “nearly-foolproof” guide to viewing the Transit of Venus” »
It may not be the Rolls Royce of solar eclipses – a total eclipse of the Sun, with “ring of fire”, Baily’s Beads and all the trimmings. But today’s annual solar eclipse – the BMW SUV of astronomy events, let’s say – is well worth Continue reading “Best eclipse for 12 years in North America!” »