Whether you’re a first-time skywatcher or a seasoned observer, stargazing in 2025 offers something magical for everyone. From glowing full moons to spectacular meteor showers, Eastern Ontario is a prime place to look up and wonder. This guide covers the best upcoming celestial events, where to watch them near Kingston, and how to find the darkest skies, even if you’re travelling this summer.
TONIGHT: Buck Moon Rises (July 10)
This full moon, known as the Buck Moon, gets its name from the time of year when young deer begin to sprout antlers. Rising just after sunset, it casts a golden glow across the horizon, especially striking from rural vantage points like North Frontenac or L&A County.
🌠 Celestial Events Still to Come in 2025
| Event | Date(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Perseid Meteor Shower | Aug 12–13 | The highlight of the summer sky! Expect 50–100 meteors/hour. Moonlight (~84%) may dim the faintest ones, but it’s still worth catching. |
| Sturgeon Moon (Full Moon) | Aug 9 | Named for the sturgeon harvest in northern lakes — a bright warm-up for the Perseids. |
| Total Lunar Eclipse (Blood Moon) | Sept 7–8 | A reddish full eclipse visible from all across Ontario — best seen after midnight. |
| Partial Solar Eclipse + Saturn at Opposition | Sept 21 | Rare combo: Saturn at its brightest and a midday solar eclipse. |
| Autumnal Equinox | Sept 22 | Day and night in perfect balance — great conditions for viewing fall constellations. |
🔭 Best Stargazing Spots Near Kingston
🌌 North Frontenac Astronomy Park
Canada’s first municipal dark sky preserve, with telescope pads, washrooms, and occasional public viewing events.
📍 5816 Road 506 near Plevna
🔗 Visit
✨ L&A Dark Sky Viewing Area
One of the darkest sites in southern Ontario — located near Erinsville in Stone Mills Township.
📍 7980 County Rd 41
🔗 Details
🏕️ Bon Echo Provincial Park
Backcountry campsites near Mazinaw Lake offer excellent skies and stunning silhouettes against the cliffs.
🔗 Bon Echo
🌲 Frontenac Park & Depot Lakes
Interior campsites, canoe access, and lakeside quiet — ideal for skywatching in solitude.
🔗 Depot Lakes
🔗 Frontenac Park
🌳 Sharbot Lake & Puzzle Lake
Sharbot Lake is family-friendly and accessible. Puzzle Lake is unserviced but offers pristine skies for experienced stargazers.
🔗 Sharbot Lake
🌐 Global Dark Sky Map: See What We’re Missing
Modern life has lit up the night — sometimes too much. Today, most urban dwellers can see only a tiny fraction of the stars our ancestors once navigated by. The Milky Way, once a nightly spectacle, is now invisible to over 80% of people living in cities.
That’s why tools like the Dark Sky Brightness Map are so valuable.
This interactive global map highlights the darkest skies on Earth — and the areas most impacted by light pollution. Whether you’re stargazing from your own backyard, travelling north to see the aurora, or heading off on vacation this summer, this map can guide your journey.
🧭 Planning a road trip through northern Ontario, the East Coast, or even Europe? This map helps you locate your best vantage points around the world.
🔗 Explore the Global Dark Sky Map
🔦 Stargazing Tips
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Choose new moon nights for best visibility.
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Use a red flashlight to preserve your night vision.
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Download free stargazing apps like SkyView, Stellarium, or Star Walk 2.
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Look east around midnight during the Perseids for peak viewing.
💬 Final Thought
You don’t need to be an astronomer to enjoy the stars — just a clear night, a quiet spot, and a little curiosity. Whether you’re camping under the Perseids or catching tonight’s full moon over the trees, stargazing reminds us how magical the world still is.
📞 Want a home where you can see the stars?
Bill Stevenson
REALTOR®, Century 21 Lanthorn Real Estate
📱 613-449-2630
📧 realtorbill76@gmail.com
🌐 kingstonrealty.org
