The Night Sky
Wonders
of the Night Sky
In DownEast Acadia the lack of human-made light allows visitors to spot millions of stars , planets , the Milky Way , Maine ’ s first moonrise , and from August to October , the Northern Lights . Winter , Spring , Summer or Fall , every night is a spectacle to behold .
Acadia Night Sky Festival
September 20 – 24 Events meant to celebrate our dark skies are held throughout the region . AcadiaNightSkyFestival . org
Milky Way in the night sky over the rugged coast .
Join park rangers at Sand Beach to view and learn about Acadia ’ s amazing night sky or experience an unforgettable evening paddle in Castine Harbor ’ s bioluminescent bay . Join other amateur astronomers at the country ’ s easternmost observatory , Sawyer Observatory in Pembroke .
A stay at Cobscook Bay State Park campgrounds will offer ample opportunity to enjoy the night sky . Early risers can double down at West Quoddy State Park as they spot Venus and Sirius bright in the early morning sky , then wait as the first rays of sun hit the United States .
Northern Lights over Acadia National Park
On a crisp autumn night , go outside and look north ; you might see the Aurora Borealis ’ faint green cloud tinting the horizon or a dance of flickering lights fading in and out . The intensity of the glow depends on solar activity . Sunspots created by intense solar storms allow for a more active aurora near the Canadian border .
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