Bon Accord

Bon Accord is a small town in central Alberta, Canada, about 40 kilometres north of downtown Edmonton. In 2015 it became the first International Dark Sky Community in Canada and the eleventh in the world.

Why Bon Accord is a top stargazing spot

Despite its proximity to Edmonton, Bon Accord's sky quality is comparable to some International Dark Sky Parks, thanks to the town's Light Efficient Community Standards Bylaw 2015-07, one of the most progressive and comprehensive outdoor lighting policies in Canada. The bylaw is based on the Model Lighting Ordinance, developed jointly by DarkSky International and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and it requires fully shielded light fixtures along with limits on the total amount of light allowed across town.

What you can see

By keeping stray light in check so close to a major city, Bon Accord holds onto noticeably darker skies than most towns at this distance from Edmonton, letting far more stars come through overhead on a clear night. The reduced light pollution also means meteor showers appear brighter and more visible than they would in a typically lit town, and when geomagnetic conditions are favourable, aurora displays can be seen low on the northern horizon.

Visiting Bon Accord at night

Bon Accord is a small town of around 1,500 people, easily reached from Edmonton via Highway 28. The town marks its dark-sky status each September with an Equinox celebration, an annual event that showcases Bon Accord's lighting achievements and brings together the scientific and artistic sides of stargazing; it is worth timing a visit around it if the dates line up. As with any dark-sky visit, plan around a new Moon for the darkest skies, and check the town's official website for any local guidance before you travel.

Best time to go

As a northern-hemisphere location, Bon Accord's best Milky Way viewing runs roughly March to September, when the galaxy's core climbs higher into the evening sky, while the long, clear winter nights favour the bright winter constellations and, on the right night, a look north for aurora. The Perseids in mid-August are an easy match for a summer visit, and the Geminids in mid-December or the Quadrantids in early January suit those willing to bundle up on a cold prairie night. Whatever the season, aim for a new Moon, give your eyes 20 to 30 minutes to adjust once you are outside, and use a red light to keep your night vision intact.

Getting there

Bon Accord sits directly off Highway 28, about 40 kilometres north of downtown Edmonton, making it a straightforward evening drive from the city. There is no need for special access or permits; it is a functioning town, so ordinary road rules and courtesy toward residents apply.

See your named star from here

Bon Accord shows what deliberate, well-designed lighting policy can do for a night sky, even this close to a major city. With the coordinates from naming a star and a stargazing app, its shielded streets make for a solid place to go looking for it; our guide on how to find a star in the night sky can help. Browse the star catalogue, or check nearby observatories for more places to stargaze.