Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve presents
WILDERNESS ASTRONOMY
A party under the stars at
Elk Island National Park -
Astotin Recreation Area
Sunday, Sep 5, 2010
3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
On the Labour Day weekend join us for our annual
celebration of Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve (BHDSP) hosted by: Royal
Astronomical Society of Canada - Edmonton Centre; Alberta Tourism, Parks and
Recreation and Culture; Parks Canada Agency; Strathcona Wilderness Centre and
Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village.
Sunday, September 5th marks the fourth anniversary of the creation of the Beaver
Hills Dark Sky Preserve. Please join us as we welcome our new partner, Sherwood
Fish and Game: Ketchamoot Creek Recreation and Conservation Area, into the
BHSDP.
Outdoor activities include public stargazing with astronomers using a variety of
telescopes, children’s activities, an unveiling ceremony, and guided hikes.
Indoor activities include astronomical presentations and making red light
flashlights.
3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Painting the Elk Island Skies – Meet at the Playground
Let the natural surroundings inspire you to create a water colour
masterpiece. Painting supplies are provided. Take your creations
home with you!
5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Welcoming Ceremony – Blue Events Tent – Astotin Lake Area
Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve partners welcome Sherwood Fish and Game Ketchamoot Creek Recreation and Conservation
Area and are also proud to unveil the fourth and final Dark Sky interpretive
panel: ‘Be "Sky-wise": Reduce Lights and keep Dark Skies’.
8:30 p.m.
Nightfall, Stars Up! - Astronomy begins outdoors
View Jupiter, star clusters, nebulae and other galaxies beyond the Milky
Way. Telescopes will be set up courtesy of RASC volunteers, amateur
astronomers and Parks Canada if skies are clear, at three locations within the
Astotin Lake Area:
- Lawn Area
–
Main parking lot
-
Pavilion – Cook Shelter overlooking the beach
-
Astotin Theatre – Back Deck
INDOOR EVENT PROGRAM
Astotin Interpretative Theatre
Red Light Flashlight Making
Bring a flashlight to cover with red, night-friendly material that we will supply. Outdoors by lobby entrance.
7:00 p.m. – 7:45 p.m.
Adventures in Wilderness Astronomy
Award winning science journalist Peter
McMahon will talk about dark sky preserves across Canada and some of the camping-specific ways to take advantage of the night sky through specialized gear, little-known sites, and local lore.
Peter has covered space shuttle launches, witnessed a new carnivore unearthed
on a dinosaur dig, walked through a stadium-sized particle accelerator and descended
into a solar observatory 2 km underground.
8:00 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
Wild Meteorite Chase
Dr. Erin Walton brings treasures of wild
space to you! View visiting Lunar and Martian meteorites and learn about
their travels. Royal Astronomical Society of Canada’s Bruce McCurdy and
Alberta Park’s Cecilia Goncalves take you from this presentation to an
informative starry-storytelling session under the dark skies.
9:00 p.m. – 9:45 p.m.
The Truth About Hoaxes
Frank Florian, Telus World of Science
Edmonton, dispels the myths and excels at casting a spell over the audience with
real science. Can Mars look as big as the Moon in our sky? Did we really
land on the Moon? What is the Sun really up to? Do the Mayans control our
fate in 2012?
10:00 p.m. - 10:45 p.m.
Wild Stellar Stories
Peter's accounts will kick-off an ‘open microphone’ for local astronomers and stargazers. In the event of cloudy weather, come inside and listen to this strange breed of starry adventurers and see their amazing images of the universe.
Making Your Visit More Enjoyable
Food Service
3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Elk Island Golf Course
Light meals and beverages available for purchase at the Golf Course Clubhouse.
6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. – Mobile Food Concession
Angel Food Services on located near the Astotin Theatre, or bring your own picnic lunch to the national park. Picnic tables are located throughout the Astotin Lake Area.
Washrooms Facilities
Accessible washrooms are located at the Astotin
Theatre, near the Dark Sky Panels and at the boat launch parking lot. Washrooms
in the Astotin Theatre are open 24 hours a day – accessed via the exterior of
the building. Portable washroom facilities available on
site.
Astotin Theatre
The Astotin Theatre will be closed at 11:00 p.m.
Please no pets or food in the Astotin Theatre.
As seating is limited, tickets will be available at the lobby starting at 6:00
p.m.
Telescopes
Telescopes will be set up courtesy of volunteers and
amateur astronomers. They are more than happy to have you take a look through
their lens. Don’t be shy to ask!
Star Party Survival Kit
Please dress for the weather and night time temperatures. Insect repellent is recommended.
Most activities will proceed ‘rain or star-shine’, however telescopic viewing requires a clear sky.
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
For further Information
Elk Island National Park of Canada - Visitor Information
Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve: Leads you into the
DARK! (Parks)
Beaver Hills Dark Sky
Preserve (RASC)
AMA Westworld Article June 2008
Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve Shines
Email the Dark Sky Preserve Coordinator