Mont-megantic International Dark Sky Reserve: More to the night sky than meets the eye
On Sept. 21, 2007, ASTROLAB founder and director Bernard Malenfant was presented with a certificate from the International Dark Sky Reserve Association in recognition of the world’s first ever International Dark Sky Reserve.
The Mont-megantic Dark Sky Reserve, which surrounds the Mont-megantic Observatory located in Mont-megantic National Park, was created with the goal of reducing light pollution, conserving energy, and protecting the dark sky for the future research of the Mont-megantic Observatory, one of the most important research facilities in the country for the study of astronomy and astrophysics. It was also created with the tourism potential of Mont-megantic Park in mind.
In addition to the observatory, Montmegantic National Park also has an interpretation center called ASTROLAB. Their role is to educate the public in the fields of Astronomy, Astrophysics, Cosmology and Aerospace, and to present the research and technological advances of the Mont-megantic Observatory.
Since the research, education and tourism opportunities of Mont-megantic Park are based on the Observatory, protecting the night sky-where most of the astronomical research takes place-was vital.
That is when ASTROLAB, in collaboration with Mont-megantic National Park and the Mont-megantic Observatory, started to draw up guidelines for dark sky protection project in 2002.
With support from the Granit Local Employment Center and the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec, funding for the project was confirmed and an action plan was set in place by project leader Chloé Legris to help reduce light pollution.
In 2003, ASTROLAB outlined the steps that needed to be taken for the creation of a dark sky reserve.
Bylaws and regulations to limit light pollution were adopted by the 34 municipalities located in the reserve, which covers 5, 500 kilometers and stretches all the way to Sherbrooke. With financial support from all levels of government and Hydro Quebec, over 2,500 light fixtures were replaced to help reduce light pollution by 25 per cent.
Those measures allowed the Montmegantic Dark Sky Reserve to become the first International Dark Sky Reserve to be certified and recognized by the IDA and UNESCO (The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). In 2008, Legris also received the Scientist of the Year award from Radio Canada for her role in establishing the reserve.
Since the creation of the Mont-megantic International Dark Sky Reserve, over 3300 light fixtures have been replaced in various municipalities, which has resulted in a savings of about $200,000 worth of electricity costs for the area and a 35 per cent reduction in light pollution.
The dark sky reserve will continue to play a significant role in preserving the sky for future generations to discover, learn, and enjoy what the starry night has to offer and for future scientists at the Mont-megantic Observatory to continue their groundbreaking research.
More information about the Montmegantic International Dark Sky Reserve can be found on their website at http://ricemm.org/en/the-reserve/. The Observatory and ASTROLAB is also open to the public on certain days of the year and information on the hours and prices can be found on ASTROLABS website at https://www.astrolab.qc.ca/en/visitus/rates-business-hours/.