The 6th annual Jasper Dark Sky Festival runs from October 14 to 23 this year.

The event celebrates Jasper’s designation as a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Canadian Astronomical Society of Canada in 2011.

“We are a space that has taken steps to really help eliminate and reduce light pollution which helps preserve that really beautiful, natural dark sky with all the really brilliant stars and northern lights,” says spokesperson Sara Hamil. “The festival grew out of that as a way to celebrate the designation.”

For the first time this year, the festival will run over two weekends. This year’s featured speakers boast some serious star power as well.

“We’ve got Bill Nye the Science Guy, who will be coming to do two presentations on that first weekend. We’re bringing in Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen as well and on the second weekend, we actually have George Takei. He’s going to be coming to talk about his career and his work.”

Canadian Astronaut Jeremy Hansen will also make an appearance.

You can find more information at jasperdarksky.travel.