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Alberta Star Party 200519th Annual ALBERTA STAR PARTY
Page last updated - July 6, 2005
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Brought to you by the Calgary and Edmonton Centres of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada
The Eccles Ranch Observatory site is just north of Caroline in beautiful west-central Alberta.We look forward to you joining us for some good times and great viewing under wonderfully dark skies!
Click here for a map, or right click to save.
Welcome
We invite you and your family to attend the 19th annual Alberta Star Party. The star party is co-hosted by the Calgary and Edmonton centres of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada and we feel that you will be impressed by the dark and transparent skies. This year, the party will run from September 1 - September 4, 2005. The Moon is new, allowing for superb deep-sky observing. As always, participants may arrive early and stay late for no extra charge.
Directions to the site
- Click here for a map, or right click to save.
- From Calgary, go North on Hwy 2 until you reach Highway #54 at Innisfail.
- From Edmonton go south on Hwy 2 until you reach Highway #54 at Innisfail.
- Go West on 54 about 56 km (35 miles) to Caroline. (Fill up on your water, gas and other necessary supplies here.)
- At the four-way stop in Caroline, turn right (North).
- Head North for about 2.4 km (1.5 miles).
- Turn right (East) onto the gravel road RD 36-4.
- Continue East for about 1.6 km (1 mile).
- Turn left (North) onto the private gravel road RGE RD 6-0.
- Follow the gravel road about 1.3 km (0.8 mile), turn right and go down the hill to the ERO site and you're there!
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This is a no-frills campsite: there are outhouses on site but
there is no water available and there is no electrical power. Full trailer hook-ups and showers are available at a campsite 5 km away, just east of Caroline. Sewage dumps are available in town for a nominal fee, and at the campground for $5. Water is also available at the campground. Nearby hotels: Caroline Motel (403)-722-3000 Caroline Gateway Motel (403)-722-3322 You are advised to make reservations well in advance. |
Parents are encouraged to organize events for the children. There are also attractions around Caroline and a little further out. Scenic views of the Foothills and Rocky Mountains can be had along the Forestry Trunk Road west of Caroline. Burnt Stick Lake, about 25 km away, has birding and swimming. Sylvan Lake is only 45 minutes away and has water slides, a public beach, etc. There are also several nearby historic sites.
Alberta Star Party Guidelines
Everyone is welcome, however, to make the event enjoyable for all, some restrictions will apply:
- Cover all of your white lights, e.g. flashlights, headlights, interior trailer lights, etc. with red cellophane or the equivalent; or leave them off.
- On Wednesday through Friday nights, vehicles will be allowed in (or out) until 23:00 (11:00 PM).
- On subsequent nights, there will be a black-out rule in effect after 21:00 (9:00 PM). Entry or exit shall be done with absolutely no white light - headlights and taillights MUST be covered and the vehicle shall be guided by a pedestrian with a red flashlight. Ideally, the vehicle may be left at the front gates and the site accessed on foot. When in doubt, walk!
- Please keep noise to a minimum until 11:00 AM in order to let the astronomers get some sleep.
- Absolutely no garbage is to be left at your campsite! Clean up after yourselves. This is rough it camping; what you bring in, you take out.
- Dogs are to be kept on a leash in and around the observing areas! Many telescope owners do not appreciate dogs 'visiting' their equipment.
- Children are welcome at the Alberta Star Party but parents will be responsible for their child's conduct and safety at all times. Watch out for fences, both electrified (might still be on) and barbed, beaver ponds, ditches, etc.
Programs
As in past years, there will be informative evening talks. The coveted Binocular Observing Challenge pins return, so bring your spyglasses! Back again this year is the Telescope Observing Challenge pin and the Astro-Equipment competition. So, if you've made anything astronomical recently, bring it along and let everyone have a look.
Fees
Please pay at the on-site registration desk from 2:00 to 6:00 PM.
Single @ $20.00
Family @ $30.00
Cash or cheques acceptable. Please make cheques payable to: RASC Calgary Centre
For More Information
Contact:
Roland Dechesne
3740 Logan Crescent S.W.
Calgary, Alberta
T3E 5Z5
Tel: (403) 246-4498
E-mail: