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RASC Victoria Centre
has held successful Star Parties annually from 2000 through to present. The RASCals Star Party has a well-deserved reputation of
being a fun and easy-going camping and observing weekend which the whole
family can enjoy. Our friendly group of dedicated volunteers always
ensure this positive experience continues for each year's event!
The star party is held on the Metchosin Cricket Field and
municipal grounds. This location offers us one of the darker urban areas in the western communities near
Victoria, and gives us good sight lines in all directions. We are thrilled
to have this location for the RASCals Star Party, and appreciate
the support from the local community!
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RASCals 2011
Star Party Event Photos |
| Admission Fees -
Public welcome free of charge. RASC members and visiting observers
(staying overnight)
$20 per
person, one day or two, kids free.
Admission includes:
 | tickets for daily
door prizes for children and adults |
| all lectures and workshops |
| access pass to the observing field |
| camping on site |
Winners must be in attendance at the time of the draw to
collect their prize. Free public access does not include a
ticket for door prizes (for children or adults).
There is no need to pre-register or pre-pay admission fees.
There is lots of room on the field for everyone, so spread out and enjoy
yourselves. Please bring cash to pay for your admission fees onsite.
You do need to pre-order your t-shirts, since none will be
available for sale onsite. Of course, you can always order your
t-shirts online after the event if you prefer.
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Shop Online |
Schedule of Events (subject to change)
Friday 17th
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12:00pm noon til dark - gates open, arrivals |
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5:00pm-6:30pm - dinner time |
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8:00pm - Door prize draws |
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8:30pm - Speaker TBA |
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9:30pm
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Guided Telescope Walk - a walking tour of the
observing field with a guide to explain about all the gear |
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Astronomy 101 - an observing workshop followed by a laser tour
of the night sky |
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Viewing the night sky till dawn - what we all came
here for! |
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Saturday 18th
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8-10am - breakfast time |
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Noon - lunch |
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Solar viewing - all day |
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1:00 pm - Astronomy Swap Meet |
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2:00 pm - Workshops |
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5:00pm-7:00pm - dinner time |
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8:00pm - Door prize draws |
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8:30 pm - Speaker TBA |
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9:30pm - Guided Telescope Walk and Binocular Tour of the
sky |
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Viewing the night sky till dawn - what we all came
here for! |
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Sunday 19th
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8:00 am Breakfast |
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9:30 am Site Cleanup - please pitch in and help! |
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12 noon - early departures please |
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Location - The star party is held on the cricket field
& municipal grounds, located behind the Metchosin Fire Hall
in this small rural community.
Street address
4450 Happy Valley Road
Victoria, BC Canada V9C 3Z3
Geographic
position
Latitude: 48° 23' N
Longitude: 123° 32' W
Elevation: 50m
Newton-Godin Observatory Clear Sky Chart - observing
conditions report from the closest reporting station
Things to do in
Metchosin
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Directions using Google
Directions using Bing |
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Camping - a good sized camping area is available on the
Cricket Field - camp on the field with your telescope alongside your
tent, motor home or camper. |
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Parking - lots of space available on the
main observing field and in adjacent parking lots. Please do not park in the
nearby retail parking areas! There will be a special parking area for
those of you who plan to leave after dark - our keen observers
will thank you for preserving their night vision and not ruining their
photographs with your headlights. |
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Power - available on the field for telescope-related equipment only.
Sorry, no RV plug-ins or full service hook-ups are available. |
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Water - potable water available on-site from a tap |
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Washrooms - both flush toilets and portable
washrooms will be available (at least one will offer disabled access) |
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Food - there is a coffee shop and restaurant
within a five minute walk of the field. We encourage you to support our
local businesses. |
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Fast food - Order in or pick up
pizza, Chinese, sushi, Tim Horton's or what you wish - we are only 15 minutes`
drive away from major
shopping & restaurants! |
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Elevation - the site is approximately 50 metres (165') elevation
and is approximately 1 km from the shoreline of the Pacific Ocean. Some coastal marine air
or strong winds may be a factor depending on weather conditions. |
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Horizon - a good 360 degree view of the dark sky.
The only visible light dome is from Victoria to the east. |
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Shopping -
Island Telescope will have an on-site sales
counter, should you need a new eyepiece or other accessory. Food, drinks
and sundries are available from small retail
stores within an easy 5 minute walk. Major big box stores, shopping centres and
food markets are located in Langford - a 15 minute drive. |
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Workshops - we offer useful and topical workshops
on Saturday during the day. |
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Kids activities - videos will be shown on the big
screen after dark for kids & teens to stave off any boredom. Don't
forget to take your kids swimming, hiking and biking at nearby regional parks
and the Galloping Goose Trail. |
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Regional Parks & Recreation - no fees, gates
generally locked at sunset
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Witty's Lagoon Regional Park - 2 entrances offering gravel & sand beach
access and/or lagoon access (hiking, wildlife, swimming) -- 5 minute drive, 15
minute walk |
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Devonian Regional Park - hiking, small pond, gravel beach at end of
the trail - 10 minute drive |
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Matheson Lake Regional Park - hiking, swimming, kayaking, canoes
(bring your own equipment) - 10 minute drive |
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Galloping Goose Regional Trail - access near Matheson Lake Park or
off Happy Valley Road -
walking, running, cycling - 10 minute drive to trail head |
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Astronomy lectures - we always offer interesting
lectures featuring professional and amateur astronomers |
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Door prize raffles - held each night - for the kids and for the
adults - thanks go to our corporate sponsors for their generous support:
Island Telescope,
Celestron,,
Farpoint Astronomical and
Sky-Watcher Telescopes. |
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