The 20th annual Cowichan Valley StarFinders Island Star Party begins Aug. 14 at Bright Angel Park. This year the star party falls during the Perseid Meteor Shower, so expect to see multiple meteors in the sky.
Somewhere between 70 and 150 viewers are expected to take over Bright Angel Park for the event.
“The location at the park is very good for viewing the night sky,” StarFinders president Brian Robilliard said. “We have amateur astronomers that come to image deep sky objects like globular clusters, galaxies and nebulas, and many do visual astronomy, seeing these objects in the eyepiece.”
In addition to enjoying the wonders of the night sky, the event will feature lectures, demonstrations and a chance to get to know other star gazers. Non-astronomers are welcome.
“Many of us do this in our back yards and love the opportunity to share our hobby with others,” said Ed Nicholas, the club’s treasurer. “The excitement of people seeing the rings around Saturn for the first time is contagious.”
The star party kicks off at 4 p.m. on Aug. 14 and runs until 10 a.m. on Aug. 16.
Visit http://starfinders.ca/island-star-party to learn more.