2009 Island Star Party

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The Island Star Party was held on Southern Vancouver Island
at the Victoria Fish and Game Association
Holker Place, Malahat, BC, Canada

July 17-19, 2009

RASC Victoria Centre has held successful RASCals Star Parties annually from 2000 through 2008. Our friends from the Cowichan Valley Star Finders have held their highly successful Island Star Party for well over 10 years now.  With 2009 being International Year of Astronomy both groups decided to hold a special combined Island Star Party.

The Island Star Party lived up to its reputation as a fun and easy-going camping and observing weekend. We saw excellent attendance this year, and it appears more people stayed for both Friday and Saturday, making a weekend of it.

Hopefully the Island Star Party helped you celebrate 2009 International Year of Astronomy - a milestone year. The weather was sublime, the talks were interesting, and the camaraderie made it a star party to remember. We had some great door prizes this year, and held some special events for the kids, beginners, and advanced astronomers. As proven by the above astrophotos, the observing conditions were near ideal for the weekend. On-site catering is always a bonus, so folks don't have to cook unless they want to.  We heard from terrific speakers this year and there were some interesting workshops and other activities (see the Schedule of Events below for details).

 

Event photo gallery - lots more photos to view

Collection of astrophotos taken at the star party

 

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Admission Fees

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Draw Prizes

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Schedule of Events

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Island Star Party 2009 Poster (79k pdf - printable on 8.5"x14" paper)

Admission Fees

Order your Island Star Party t-shirtAlmost half our attendees from past years leave each night (or early morning!) to sleep in their own beds or to go to nearby hotels, motels or B&Bs.  Our new Visitors Pass gave these people the flexibility to leave the event when they wished, and gave them a bargain as well!  The dedicated star party attendees don't want to miss a thing, so they camped for both nights and took advantage of our all-inclusive Package Deal.  This gave them in/out privileges so they could take advantage of nearby shopping centres, restaurants fast food outlets and fuel.

If you missed getting your Island Star Party t-shirt, it's not too late to order your souvenir edition from our Online Store!

Draw Prizes

Thanks go to our corporate sponsors for their generous support: Island Telescope, Celestron,, and Sky-Watcher Telescopes

Celestron FirstScope Telescope special IYA edition

Celestron FirstScope Telescope
special IYA edition 76mm Dob
2 draws!

Gift Certificates from our favorite astronomy dealer!

Skywatcher

Eyepieces
&
Binoculars

Skywatcher Heritage 76 Telescope
special IYA edition 76mm Dob

Celestron 20x80 Binoculars

Celestron SkyMaster 20x80 Binoculars
prized by astronomers 

Solar System Voyage - a book by Serge Brunier New Atlas of the Moon - a book by Thierry Legault & Serge Brunier  

 

Schedule of Events

Friday 17th

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12:00pm noon til dark - gates open, arrivals

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5:00pm-6:30pm - dinner time

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7:00pm - Presentation - "How to become an Astronaut" - Dr. Geoff Steves, physicist and a finalist for the Canadian Space Agency astronaut corps

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8:00pm - Door prize draws

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9:00pm
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Guided Telescope Walk - a walking tour of the observing field with a guide to explain about all the gear

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Astronomy 101 - an observing workshop followed by a laser tour of the night sky

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Viewing the night sky till dawn - what we all came here for!

 

Saturday 18th

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8-10am - breakfast time

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Noon - lunch

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Solar viewing - all day

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1:00 pm - Astronomy Swap Meet

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2:00 pm - Workshops
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Telescope Collimation

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Digital Astrophotography

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5:00pm-7:00pm - dinner time

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7:00 pm - "Binocular Astronomy" by Gary Seronik, author Binocular Highlights, editor Rukl's Atlas of the Moon (both published by Sky and Telescope)

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8:00pm - Door prize draws

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9:00pm - Guided Telescope Walk & Binocular Tour of the night sky by Gary Seronik

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Viewing the night sky till dawn - what we all came here for!

Sunday 19th

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8:00 am Breakfast

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9:30 am Site Cleanup

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12 noon - departures

 

 

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Last updated: January 29, 2014

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