Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve

Public Star Party and Celebration

"A PLACE FOR THE FUTURE"
ELK ISLAND NATIONAL PARK OF CANADA

CELEBRATING 2009 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY
Astotin Lake - Astotin Theatre and beach area 

Sunday, Sep 6, 2009
3:00 p.m. to Midnight

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada; Parks Canada Agency; Alberta Tourism, Parks and Recreation and Culture; and Strathcona County welcomed the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage into the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve partnership protecting the night-time environment for all life in the region. The Labour Day weekend marked the third anniversary of the declaration of the Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve. Come and celebrate with us!

Indoor theatre presentations featured guest speaker Peter Strasser - International Dark Sky Association from Tucson, AZ; Dr Douglas P Hube - 'The Nearest Star'; and presentations from the local astronomy community. Two special interpretive theatre shows for families - AcroBATS and Galileo's House Arrest were performed by provincial and national parks staff.

Outdoor activities included public observing with astronomers using a variety of excellent telescopes; children's activities featuring visitors from Vulcan, AB (complete with Spock ears!); guided hikes and binocular walks (bring your binoculars); and lessons in night geocaching.