Star Party at Elk Island National Park - Sat, Mar 6 2010

Star Party at Elk Island National Park (3/6/2010)

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED: Once you've reviewed the event details, and decided you'd like to join us, you MUST sign up at the bottom of this page.

You are STRONGLY encouraged to read this page in its entirety before signing up. If you'd like to attend, we ask that you abide by our rules and procedures as a time/cost saving process (with an end result of keeping membership free and lower cost events).

The Basics:

Event Type:

Learn

Event Location:

Astotin Lake area, Elk Island National Park

Date(s) & Time:

Sat, Mar 6 2010 3:00 PM

Registration Cut Off:

Fri, Mar 5 2010 6:00:00 PM

Event Duration:

More than 6 hours

Difficulty Rating:

D2: Easy to Moderate

Event Coordinator(s):

Ryan
You must be logged in to get the Event Coordinator contact information.

Member Cost:

Voluntary Donation Only (See Below)

Participant Info:

Who's Invited:

Members Only, All - DO NOT USE

Maximum Group Size:

Minimum Group Size:

Number Registered So Far:

10 (To see who's signed up, log in to the Member Area)

Are Dogs Permitted:

Itinerary:

Did you know that Elk Island National Park was recently designated as part of a dark sky preserve? The Beaver Hills Preserve is a 300 square kilometre region, and includes Elk Island National Park and the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Provincial Recreation Area.

As part of the Edmonton Winter Light Festival, there will be a star party at Elk Island National Park on March the 6th. I can hear you all asking: "What on earth is a star party??". A star party is a meeting of amateur astronomers - but best of all, the public is invited, and we will be able to view some celestial wonders through telescopes brought along by the astronomers. There will also be other events going on during the evening - at the very least, traditional storytelling, and a red-light lantern parade along Astotin Lake. It should be a unique evening!

Obviously, as it's the winter, you will need to make sure that you bring warm clothing, including a jacket, hat and gloves. Even if we get an early thaw you should also bring all of these, as you will get extremely cold just standing around. If you bring a flashlight, please ensure that it gives off only red light (red light doesn't affect our night vision, which is really important because it means our eyes will remain adjusted to the dark.) If you bring a normal flashlight that gives off white-light and insist on using it during the evening, I cannot be held responsible for the actions of any annoyed astronomers. Don't have a flashlight that gives off red light? All you need to do is have a filter over the flashlight bulb so that it only gives off red light. This link describes easy ways to modify your flashlight. Based on the press release for last year's Winter Light Festival star party, the organizers may even help you to modify your flashlight at the event if you forget to modify it in advance.

If you wish, you can also meet us at Elk Island Park (directions are below) - however, please take along a cellphone and my phone number if you do so, as it might be difficult to find the EOC group at the park.

Please note - if you would like to bring children along on this event, you will need to let me know in advance. I will add them as guests, but only if the event isn't full. I have otherwise blocked guest registrations; if you have adult guests who you would like to bring along, I would advise that you have them register as EOC members (it's free, after all!)

** UPDATE, MARCH 1 ** Shuttle-buses will be available, departing to/from the Zellers at Kingsway Garden Mall. The shuttle bus schedule is available on the Winterlight website. I am planning to take the 3 PM shuttle bus. If you cannot make it to the 3 PM bus, or plan on driving to Elk Island Park, please let me know (by e-mail in advance, or by phone/text on the day of the event). We can all then meet up at 6 PM in front of the Astotin Theatre.

Required Items to Bring:
- WARM layered clothing (coat, hat, gloves/mittens, scarf)
- picnic food

Recommended Items to Bring:
Use our Event Checklists to make sure you have everything you need.
- Flashlight that produces red light
- Binoculars
- Star Chart

How to Get There:

Event Directions:

Take the Yellowhead Highway east out of Edmonton. Travel east on Highway 16/Yellowhead approximately 20km past Ardrossen. Turn left to enter the park. Follow the main road through the park to Astotin Lake.

Notes:

- We encourage all members to follow our Etiquette Guidelines at all times while participating in EOC events.
- Please scroll through and read the entire online waiver when you sign up.
- Details of this event are subject to undergo a change at any point in time, with or without warning.

Voluntary Donation: ( What is this?)
Suggested donation amount for this event is: $2.00/Person.

Cancellation/Partial Attendance:
Please review our Cancellation Policy carefully!