Spruce Woods Star Party

September 14-17 2023

The Spruce Woods Star Party is a members-only event. Become a member to join us for our most fun-filled event of the year, as well as taking advantage of our other membership perks!

Registration – send your name, how many star gazers in your party and whether you are in a camper, tent or whatever to Judy.Anderson@umanitoba.ca

Cost - $25. E payments will be available Friday August 11 to Finance@winnipeg.RASC.ca or cash at registration.

Entry to the Park is from Highway #5 from either the North (off Hwy #1 at Carberry) or the South (off Hwy #2 at Glenboro). The observing site is at latitude 49.6687913N longitude 99.249839W. Once in the park (park pass IS REQUIRED) proceed North to the Star Party field.

Schedule


Because the equipment on display can’t help but to garner attention, the SWSP Committee conducts a “scope tour” where members have a chance to talk about their particular scope, mount or other piece of equipment for all the see. This year, we will also have a “solar scope tour” where you will get the chance to observe the sun through different scopes.

Probably the most popular feature of the star party is Gerry’s Bino Tour. It’s a must see event and everyone comes away having learned a bit more (actually a lot more) about the cosmos and how valuable a pair of binoculars are to the amateur astronomer.

An observing circle will be open every night for those that wish to observe as a group!

Thursday Sep 14

4-8 PM: Registration and set up. May need volunteers to arrive earlier to set up tent.

Dark: Observing and astrophotography

Friday Sep 15

4-8 PM: Registration. Welcome

Dusk: Gerry's Out of this world famous Bino tour

Dark: Observing and astrophotography

Saturday Sep 16

1-2 PM: Galileo talk Gerry

3-4 PM: Swap table

4-5 PM: Scope Tour

Dusk: Backup night for Gerry's Bino tour

Dark: Observing and astrophotography

Sunday Sep 17

9 AM: Continental breakfast

10-11 AM: Clean up and take down.

11ish: Group picture.

 


 

 

 

Camping and Accommodations


SWSP Observing Field

This is where most members gather to camp and set up their scopes for a weekend of observing and your camping cost at this spot is included in your registration fee. It is an open field in the “Winter Rec Area” with trees far enough away to give an open dark sky. There is no service but porta-potties and non-modern toilets are available.

Kiche Manitou Campsites

Located about 0.5 km from the observing field.  Electrical and basic sites available.

Visit the camping reservation system or call 204‑948‑3333 (in Winnipeg) or 1‑888‑482‑2267 toll-free to reserve a site.

Camping Reservation System →

Kiche Manitou Yurts

Yurts are currently all reserved.  Check the camping reservation system for availability should someone cancel their reservation.

Camping Reservation System →

Local Lodging

If camping isn’t your style, there are many lodgings nearby for you to rest when you’re done your night under the stars. The following PDF contains some of the places you may be interested in.

List of Local Lodging →

Map


Map to venue

Etiquette


Cover image courtesy of Firstname Lastname shortu.rl/I71gHi54