Whether in a field, on top of a mountain or even lying on the snow during the winter, observing the stars is a simple activity to do, but so fascinating! Is there a season more favorable than another to do it? Are there more stars in the winter sky? In this article, we will briefly tell you about our magnificent starry sky!

The best time to look at the stars is in the present moment. Whether you are in the city, in the countryside or in the mountains, a few seconds are enough to look up at the sky to contemplate it and marvel.

A constantly changing sky

The starry sky is constantly changing, that's a fact. The planets and constellations move from hour to hour and from season to season. The Moon is also in constant motion. There are showers of shooting stars, northern lights and passing satellites. The best time to look at the stars often depends on what you want to observe. It's a bit the same thing for the seasons of the sky. Each has its own personality, advantages and disadvantages, depending on individual tastes.

The big star of this winter

Besides the cold of the Quebec winter, one of the main characteristics of the winter sky is that it arrives much earlier than the summer sky. In summer, you can wait late at times to see the first stars appear, while in winter, you can go out and observe the Orion Nebula without having to wait too late. This nebula is undoubtedly the star of winter and its distinctive shape makes it the favorite of many.

It is an immense cloud of gas and dust inside which new stars are born. Located 1500 light years from Earth, it is in some ways the closest “star nursery” to here. You will only need a simple pair of binoculars to observe it “in real life”!

Another star…

Another signature of the winter sky is the “great hexagon.” Spread across half a dozen constellations, this region of the sky is home to several of the brightest stars, including Sirius, which is visible from Earth. If many people have the impression that there are more stars in winter than in summer, it is mainly because of the winter hexagon. Like the Big Dipper, it is an asterism, a landmark made up of bright stars, but which does not constitute an official constellation. However, there are as many stars in the sky in winter as in summer.

Wherever you are on the campsite or at home, let yourself be charmed by the confines of the Universe and we hope you make good observations!

Source: https://www.sepaq.com/blogue/observation-etoiles-hiver.dot

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This article is courtesy of SÉPAQ and brought to you by Domaine International de Rouville: the largest family campsite in Quebec since 1960, located in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, at the foot of Mont Saint-Hilaire. Whether for the completely renovated Aquaparc, our two fine sandy beaches, a camping stay, our wide range of activities, the magnificent golf courses of the Golf de Rouville, our performance hall or the Rouville Country Festival, all there are good reasons to come to Domaine International de Rouville!