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Curt Nason

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What has three legs, one eye and a parade of people looking back in time? If you didn't guess a telescope at a star party then join the parade this summer and be entranced by the night sky.

If you have the urge to buy a telescope but don't know what to get, or have wondered whether the Moon and Saturn really look like those pictures in the magazines, then a star party is your astronomy catalogue and playground. Where else could you find a dozen or more telescopes of various sizes and types, and an equal number of not entirely geeky folks who are eager to bring the universe to you and share their experiences? Several star parties are scheduled in the region this summer, starting today.

One focus of the International Year of Astronomy is combating light pollution, including the designation of some parks as Dark Sky Preserves (DSP). Such a park will have an area where lighting is controlled and stargazers are allowed access at night. Today, Kouchibouguac National Park will become New Brunswick's first DSP. As part of the celebration, members of the N.B. Centre of the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASCNB) will present talks on astronomy and have several telescopes set up for public observing.

Mount Carleton Provincial Park has hosted a star party since the mid-1990s. This is a gem of an observing location, where skies are so dark that the Milky Way casts a dim shadow. Star parties are usually scheduled on a weekend near the new moon phase so that the faint objects, like galaxies whose light has taken millions of years to reach us, are not washed out by moonlight. This year the star party weekend coincides with Canada's Parks Day, July 18, just a few days before new moon. Also, look for an event at Fundy National Park sometime in August; check for the date at the RASCNB website www.nb.rasc.ca.

July 24-26 will see the fifth annual Dam Star Party at Mactaquac Provincial Park. This event places a greater focus on public outreach, being scheduled on a summer weekend near the first quarter moon when it is best for wowing stargazers of all levels of experience.

The granddaddy of Maritime star parties, Nova East, got its start at Fundy National Park over 20 years ago as a collaboration between the Halifax RASC Centre and the Saint John Astronomy Club. Later, it was organized entirely by Nova Scotia astronomy clubs and moved to Smiley's Campground near Windsor. Nova East 2009 is Aug. 21-23. Visit http://halifax.rasc.ca/ne/.

A few rules of etiquette apply at any public observing session, and especially at star parties where dark skies prevail. Many of the objects shown in telescopes require your eyes to be dark-adapted to be appreciated. Car headlights and white light flashlights will ruin night vision so park away from the observing area and cover flashlights with transparent red material. Although telescopes are nowhere near as expensive as many people expect, they do represent a significant investment for the amateur astronomers who are bringing the sky to you. Do not grab at the telescopes and keep your fingers off the glass of the eyepieces. Be patient, and you will be rewarded with a Galileo moment.

Dozens of two-legged, starry-eyed astronomers are looking forward to sharing the sky with you this summer. Get the parties started. For details, visit astronomy2009.ca, or contact Curt Nason (648-9063, nasonc@nbnet.nb.ca).

Curt Nason is a health physicist in the nuclear industry.