Mont-Mégantic Observatory & ASTROLab
Parc national du Mont-Mégantic / Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic
The world's first International Dark Sky Reserve, with a professional observatory on the summit and a planetarium. Night stargazing events are very popular.
Mont-Mégantic National Park became the world's first International Dark Sky Reserve in 2007. At the summit, 1,105 m above sea level, sits the largest professional observatory in eastern Canada, with a 1.6-metre telescope. At the foot of the mountain, the ASTROLab planetarium offers multimedia exhibits. On clear summer and autumn nights it hosts “Astronomy Nights,” where guides lead visitors through telescope observations of planets and nebulae. On some nights, visitors can enter the professional observatory. During the day you can hike to the summit, and the autumn foliage is especially beautiful. Night events cost about CAD 30 and must be booked in advance. The summit is cold, so bring warm clothing. The drive from Sherbrooke takes about 90 km.
Opening hours
Daytime approx. 09:00–17:00; stargazing nights scheduled by season
Nearby sights
- Laiterie de Coaticook
- Gorge de Coaticook & Foresta Lumina
- Basilica-Cathedral of Saint-Michel
- Sherbrooke Murals Circuit
- Musée des beaux-arts de Sherbrooke
- Musée de la nature et des sciences
- Lac des Nations
- North Hatley & Lake Massawippi