Many RASC Centres either sponsor or actively participate in Star Parties throughout the year. A Star Party is an overnight excursion to a suitable dark sky site where you will meet many other astronomers, have an opportunity to compare notes on equipment, listen to informative talks, and share a dark sky experience.
See also: the National Star Party (July 29th) which will have events from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
Confirmed events for 2017:
| RASC Centre(s) | Event | Date |
|---|---|---|
| New Brunswick | *Kouchibouguac Star Gaze | June 15-16 |
| Calgary | *General Assembly | June 28-July 3 |
| Calgary | Alberta Star B-Q | July 21-23 |
| Okanagan | Mt. Kobau Star Party | July 22-30 |
| St. John's | Butter Pot Star Party | July 28-29 |
| Halifax | Nova East Star Party | July 28-30 |
| New Brunswick | Camping & Observing Weekend | July 28-30 |
| Victoria | RASCals Star Party | July 28-30 |
| New Brunswick | *Mt. Carleton Star Party | July 13-14 |
| Vancouver | Summer Star Quest | Aug 19-26 |
| Saskatchewan | Sask. Summer Star Party | Aug 23-27 |
| K-W | Fall Equinox Star Party | Sept 15-16 |
| Calgary | Alberta Star Party | Sept 15-17 |
| New Brunswick | Fundy Park Star Party | Aug 31-Sep 1 |
| Edmonton | Northern Prairie Star Party | Sep 19-24 |
| Winnipeg | Spruce Woods Star Party | Sept 21-24 |
| New Brunswick | Kouchibouguac Star Gaze II | June 15-16 |
| Kingston, Belleville | Fall'n'Stars | Sept 22-24 |
Here is the detailed list of current star parties organized by RASC Centres:
RASC Belleville & Kingston Centres
Fall ‘n’ Stars
Date: Friday, September 9th – Sunday, September 11th, 2017
Description: Annual gathering of amateur astronomers in Thomasburg Ontario.
Website: http://rascbelleville.ca/fallnstars/
RASC Calgary Centre
The Great Alberta Star-B-Q
Date: Friday, July 21st – Sunday, July 23rd, 2017
Description: The RASC Calgary Centre beckons you West and North of light polluted urban skies to bask in hot summer days and gaze away warm quiet nights at The Great Alberta Star-B-Q.
Website: http://calgary.rasc.ca/starbq.htm
The Alberta Star Party
Date: Friday, September 15th – Sunday, September 17th, 2017
Description: We look forward to you joining us for some good times and great viewing under wonderfully dark skies of the Starland.
Website: http://calgary.rasc.ca/asp.htm
RASC Edmonton Centre
Northern Prairie Star Party
Date: Tuesday, September 19 – Sunday, September 24, 2016
Description: Join us for an unforgettable autumn weekend under the stars at the annual Northern Prairie Star Party at Black Nugget Lake Campground. Bring your telescope and your sense of wonder for stargazing under seriously dark skies (Bortle Scale 3).
Website: https://edmontonrasc.com/northern-prairie-star-party/
RASC Halifax Centre
Nova East
Date: Friday, July 28th – Sunday, July 30th, 2017
Description: Nova East was originally established as the camping and observing weekend for the Halifax Centre, and has grown to include participants from many other astronomy clubs in the Atlantic region, and a number of attendees from the northeastern United States as well.
Website: http://halifax.rasc.ca/ne/
RASC Calgary Centre
2018 RASC General Assembly
Date: Friday, June 28th – Monday, July 3rd, 2018
Description: The Calgary Centre of the RASC is pleased to announce that it will be hosting the 59th General Assembly. Join us in Calgary.
Website: https://www.rasc.ca/ga2018
RASC New Brunswick Centre
Kouchibouguac Spring Star Fest VII
Date: Friday, June 2nd – Sunday, June 4th, 2017
Description: Member and public observing, information outreach at one of our Dark Sky Preserves.
Website: rascnb.ca
Camping & Observing Weekend (COW) Summer Star Gaz XIV
Date: Friday, July 28th – Sunday, July 30th, 2017
Description: Member and public observing, information outreach as well as a RASC group supper.
Website: rascnb.ca
Mt. Carleton Star Party
Date: Friday, July 13 - Saturday, July 14th, 2018
Description: Member and public observing at one of our Dark Sky Preserves.
Website: https://rascnb.ca/event/mount-carleton-2018-star-party/
Fundy National Park Star Gaze VII
Date: Friday, August 31st – Saturday, September 1st, 2018
Description: Member and public observing, information outreach as well as a RASC group supper.
Website: rascnb.ca
Kouchibouguac National Park
Date: Friday, September 22nd – Sunday, September 24th, 2017
Description: Member and public observing, information outreach at one of our Dark Sky Preserves.
Website: rascnb.ca
RASC Saskatoon and Regina Centres
Saskatchewan Summer Star Party
Date: Wednesday, August 23rd – Sunday, August 27th, 2017
Description: Join us for a wonderful weekend of observing and daytime events at the Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park and Dark Sky Preserve in south-west Saskatchewan.
Website: http://www.usask.ca/rasc/starparty.html
RASC Okanagan Centre
Date: Saturday, July 22nd – Saturday, July 30th, 2017
Description: The 34th Annual MKSP runs 8 nights on the sage-and-fir scented summit of Mt. Kobau, near Osoyoos, BC. Dark sky observing, guest talks, a popular door prize draw and great astro-fellowshipping characterize this warm-spirited event. Last year’s wildfire on the mountain did not affect the star party site or any of our plans for the future, but affords a rare chance for attendees to get an up-close look at a recovering forest on the road to the summit.
Website: http://www.mksp.ca/
RASC St. John’s Centre
Butter Pot Star Party
Date: Friday, July 28 – Saturday, July 29, 2017
Description: The public is invited to joing the St. John’s Centre RASC and Butter Provincial Park to meet under dark skies for the 2014 Butter Pot Star Party!
Website: http://www.stjohnsrasc.ca/star-party.shtml
RASC Vancouver Centre
Summer Star Quest
Date: Saturday, August 19th - 26th, 2017
Description: Merritt, BC. Organized by the Merritt Astronomical Society with significant participation by RASC Vancouver Centre.
Website: http://www.merrittastronomical.com
RASC Victoria Centre
RASCals Star Party
Date: July 28th - 30th, 2017
Description: Held on the Metchosin Cricket Field. A fun and easy-going camping and observing weekend which the whole family can enjoy.
Website: https://victoria.rasc.ca/events/rascals-star-party/
RASC Winnipeg Centre
Spruce Woods Star Party
Date: Thursday, September 21st – Sunday, September 24th, 2017.
Description: Come enjoy the dark skies of Spruce Woods and spend a long weekend with
astronomy enthusiasts of all walks of life!
Website: http://winnipeg.rasc.ca/spruce-woods-star-party/