Star Parties and Dark Sky Events
		Define: "Star Party."  Unlike a sidewalk session, star parties take place at a dark sky location where the city lights and other such pollution play little or no effect on the veiwing.  Normally aimed around the time of the new moon, these events present an chance for the more avid amateur astronomers to delve into the deep sky objects that cannot be seen within the city limits.  Due to the fact that the locations are at least half an hours drive from the city, a star party will quite usually continue on until the early hours of the morning.  With this in mind, they often take place on weekends or holidays when the participants don't have to get up for work in the morning!  Such events include activities like observing deep sky objects (DSO's) such as other galaxies, nebula and star clusters, though with the prime conditions, it also presents a perfect opportunity for one to get some quality planetary observation in too.  Dark sky location are great for some quality meteor shower observation too, especially slower, weaker showers such as the Taurids or the Aurigids.
	We will be using this page to feature information on any upcoming events that will be taking place in and around the Thunder Bay region as well as the occasional event that may occur elsewhere in Canada.  We will inform you on event locations, dates and times, what you may want to bring with you, how many people are expected to show up and other bits of info such as any car pooling opportunities etc.  We will also feature news and reports on past events and hope to include info such as how many people actually did turn out, what equipment showed up with them, memorable events that took place during the evening, photos etc etc etc!  Over the years we would like to see this page filled and eventually develop into a diary on past events for everyone to look back on and enjoy!
		So lets begin with the next upcoming event!... The Perseid Meteor Star Party/BBQ This event will be taking place on Friday August 13th 2004 from 10:30pm onwards.  The event will take place at Little Trout Bay which is located about 40 minutes west of Thunder Bay just off Hwy 61.  Up to now there are expected to be around half a dozen members showing up but I also hope to see other members of the public turn up too.  We will be taking our trusty Skywatcher 6" reflector telescope and binoculars out with us and I expect Rob will bring his newly renovated 4" Newtownian reflector too.  I wonder if Doug will turn out with his DOB or not? I think the RASC are holding a little gathering of their own elsewhere so I am not expecting too many of the joint members to show up. We will bring a few buns and burgers to throw on the BBQ out there but suggest that you bring some grub of your own if you are gonna be hungry.  Also remember to bring a thick sweater, a lawn chair or blanket, bug spray, a flashlight either covered with red film or with a red bulb in it and anything else to make yourself more comfortable!