Star Parties and Events Sponsored by RASC Centres
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. Star party locations are chosen for dark skies and usually offer camping accommodations.
RASC General Assembly
The RASC's major annual event is the General Assembly which is normally held at the end of June each year.
RASC Star Parties
Here is a current list of star parties sponsored by RASC Centres by month, followed by an interactive map.
| Sponsor | Usual Month | Event Name | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Calgary Centre | July | Star BQ | Eccles Ranch Observatory (NW of Calgary, AB) |
| St. John's RASC | July | Butterpot Star Party | Butter Pot Prov Park (36km SW of St. John's, NL) |
| Centre de Nouveau Brunswick / New Brunswick Centre | July | The Dam Star Party | Mataquac Provincial Park, 20km west of Fredericton, NB |
| C. F. de Montreal | August | CAFTA | Parc des Iles of St-Timothée (between Montréal and Cornwall) |
| Victoria Centre | August | Annual Vancouver Island Star Party | Saanichton, near Victoria, BC |
| Regina and Saskatoon Centres | August New Moon Weekend | Saskatchewan Summer Star Party | Cypress Hills Inter-Provincial Park (Southwest SK) |
| Halifax Centre | August New Moon Weekend | Nova East | Smileys Provincial Park, NS |
| Winnipeg Centre | Labour Day Weekend | Spruce Woods Star Party | Spruce Woods Provincial Park (west of Winnipeg) |
| Calgary Centre | September | Alberta Star Party | Starland Recreation Area Campground (NE of Calgary, AB, near Drumheller) |
| Toronto Centre | September | Annual Algonquin Adventure | Mew Lake Campground, Algonquin Provincial Park, ON |
| Kingston & Belleville Centres | September/October | Fall 'n Stars | North of Belleville, ON |
| Edmonton Centre | September | Northern Prairie Star Party | ESE of Edmonton, AB |
RASC Star Parties Map
Click on the map markers for event info. Use the controls to filter by month.
A Canadian Star Party map (which includes non-RASC events) has also been prepared by RASC member Brian Fenerty.