Frequently asked questions
What is Megantic Sky?
Megantic Sky is a free, live view of the night sky over the Mégantic area in Québec, from an all-sky camera at Chalet Zenderfull in Val-Racine. It is run by Zenderfull with the support of the Montréal Planetarium.
Where is the camera?
On a mast above Chalet Zenderfull, a chalet in Val-Racine, Québec, that you can rent. The camera is not in Mont-Mégantic National Park or at the observatory: the chalet is on private land at the foot of Mont Saint-Joseph, next to the park, 546 m above sea level. It sits inside the Mont-Mégantic International Dark Sky Reserve, the first International Dark Sky Reserve in the world.
Rent Chalet ZenderfullWhy is the image round?
The camera points straight up through a fisheye lens that sees the whole sky at once. The centre of the circle is the point directly overhead and the edge is the horizon all the way around, with the trees along it. Like a star map, east and west look swapped compared with a map of the ground, because you are looking up, not down.
When does the camera run?
Every night, from shortly before sunset until shortly after sunrise. During the day it takes no photos, and the live page shows when the camera starts again that afternoon.
How often does the live image update?
The live page checks for a new photo every few seconds and shows it as soon as the camera saves it. On dark nights each exposure can last up to 15 seconds. The time under the image is when that photo was taken.
Can you see the northern lights from the Mégantic area?
Yes, when the aurora is active and the sky is clear. From southern Québec the northern lights usually appear as a green or red glow low on the northern horizon, near the edge of the image; during strong geomagnetic storms they can reach high overhead. The nightly timelapses are the easiest way to spot them.
What else can the camera catch?
Stars and constellations, the Milky Way in summer, meteors (especially during showers like the Perseids and Geminids), satellites and the International Space Station, the Moon and planets, and clouds rolling over the mountains.
Can I watch past nights?
Yes. Each night’s photos become one timelapse video, published the next day around noon. Browse them in the Archives.
Open the ArchivesCan I use the images or videos?
Watching and sharing a link is free for everyone. For media, commercial or any other use of the images or videos, please contact Zenderfull at [email protected].
[email protected]How can I see this sky in person?
Stay at Chalet Zenderfull, right under the camera, or join one of Zenderfull’s guided night hikes, mountain refuge stays and astrophotography outings in the Mégantic area. Mont-Mégantic National Park and its ASTROLab are also open to visitors.
See Zenderfull experiencesHow much does it cost to run?
The camera, its dome, the computer beside it and the mast were a one-time investment of several thousand dollars. By our estimate, keeping it online costs around CA$30 a month for the web server, the domain names, electricity and upkeep. The site is free to watch and has no ads.
How can I support the project?
Hosting, maintenance and the camera installation are paid for by Zenderfull. If you enjoy the live view, a donation helps keep it running.
Make a donation