Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve
8th Annual Star Party
Sharing Our Story and the Starry Sky
Astotin Lake, Elk Island National Park
Sunday, Sep 1, 2013
On Sunday, September 1, Elk Island Park hosted the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve 8th annual event featuring special astronomy presentations, public solar observing, and public stargazing with Royal Astronomical Society of Canada volunteers.
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Programs and Activities
ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS
11:00am – 12:00pm Wetland Wonders
Elk Island Interpretive program, meets at the Living Waters Boardwalk
2:00 pm The Bison Transfer Experience
Elk Island Interpretive program, meets at the Visitor’s Centre
FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Astotin Recreation Area near the playground
2:00 – 6:00pm Inflatable Space Maze, Face Painting & cotton candy
4:00 – 5:00pm Solar System Races & Treasure Hunt with Edmonton Science Outreach Network
3:00pm & 5:00pm LIVE MUSIC featuring THE LINDSEY WALKER BAND
TELESCOPE VIEWING
Hosted by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada Edmonton Centre and Camrose Astronomy Club
Sandy Beach in the Astotin Lake Recreation Area
2:00 – 6:00pm Afternoon Solar Viewing with astronomers through special sun-safe telescopes
9:30 – 11:00pm Astronomy by the Beach: View coloured stars, sparkling star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. There’s no moon up, so the darkness will reveal deep sky objects, weather permitting
ASTOTIN THEATRE INDOOR PRESENTATIONS
4:00 – 4:45pm First Nations Astronomy presentation
Meet our special guest Wilfred Buck. Wilfred is known across Canada as one of Canada’s most fascinating, ‘down to earth’ astronomy educators. You will leave this presentation with a new vision of the night sky and its significance.
5:30pm Science at the Top of the World – Parks Canada Video
6:30pm Sharing our Story and the Starry Night – Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve partners & supporters present short stories, performances and demos for all ages!
“Sky-Trails, Sky-Tales” Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village
“Losing the Dark” short film from International Dark Sky Association
“On the Lighter Side” light demo and interactive chat by Nelson Epp Edmonton Science Outreach Network
“Going Batty With Parks” Cecilia Neath with Alberta Parks
“Get Owl-eyed” Meet a live Gordon Court’s Owl with naturalist Ray Cromie from Strathcona Wilderness Centre Indoor session moves outdoors for more social networking with a live owl
8:00pm First Nations Astronomy – Parks Canada meet our fascinating special guest Wilfred Buck and expand your starry horizons
8:55pm Prize Draw for telescope and field microscope: winners announced in theatre and names posted outside theatre entrance afterward. Theatre attendance is not mandatory to claim prize.
9:00pm Canadian Space Milestones presented by Frank Florian (Royal Astronomical Society of Canada) The spectacular Chris Hadfield International Space Station mission captured the minds and hearts of the world! Where is Canada going next? Let Frank sweep you into orbit and show you where dreams meet reality.
‘EYES-ON’ NIGHT SKY ACTIVITIES – near entrance of Astotin Theatre
9:15pm Captured by the Light!Scientist Jeffrey Newton leads you from the dark into the ‘danger zone’ as you ‘become’ a moth … he’ll be hiding in the woods near the theatre, can you spot him?
9:30pm First Nations Constellation Laser Sky Tour – guided by this year’s special guest Wilfred Buck. Meet at the entrance to Astotin Theatre