MKSP 2024 Star Party Information
Plans for 2024 / President's Message
Welcome to Mount Kobau everyone!
It’s our 40th Anniversary! To our regular Kobau friends, welcome back. To those new to the summit, it’s great to have you with us!
As much as I love returning to this venerable star party, I can’t overlook the fact that MKSP has been going through a tough stretch. COVID, nearby wildfires, smoke from distant blazes, plus a waning participation in astronomy at the club level – these things have cast a shadow of uncertainty on MKSP’s future. More than once in recent years we were compelled to cancel less than two weeks in advance of opening day, convinced until the 11th hour that we might be able to go ahead. The stress (and disappointment) was crushing. If this is the new normal, maybe we should be thankful for our four-decade history, say “We’ve had a good run”, and pack it in.
But the lure of starlight is strong. A clear night at Kobau can chase away doubts and leave us enlightened by the subtle afterglow of galaxy groups, star birth nebulae, and the hours-old sunlight reflected from Neptunian moons. What better way is there to feel our unity with the cosmos than among silhouetted fir trees beneath the arch of the Mt. Kobau Milky Way? For the time being at least, we continue to believe this rare experience is worth the uncertainty. May your time at MKSP 2024 leave you feeling the same way!
Jim Failes / President, Mount Kobau Astronomical Society
MKSP Skies
Click on the image below, to learn more about what you will be able to see this year.
Registration Information
Pre-registration is Preferred for the 2024 Mt. Kobau Star Party. Sorry, it is not possible to for us to reserve space on the mountain top.
Pre-Registrations can be mailed to us as soon as they are filled out, with payment by cheque or money order enclosed. If you choose not to pre-register, you can register on-site.
The Rates for 2024 are the same as last year see the table below.
A form to register by clicking on the Reg. Form button below to obtain/print a copy.
Payable by cheque or money order in Canadian Funds.
Make cheques payable to: Mount Kobau Astronomical Society. Mail to: MKSP Registrar, 1069 Calmels Crescent, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 4L6
Download Pre-Registration Form - PDF format
| Number in Party | Number of Nights | Normal Rate |
|---|---|---|
| One person | One night | $25.00 |
| One person | Two nights | $50.00 |
| One person | More than two nights | $75.00 |
| Two or more persons | One night | $35.00 |
| Two or more persons | Two nights | $70.00 |
| Two or more persons | More than two nights | $100.00 |
MKSP 2024 Schedule of Events
Talks may be postponed in the event of bad weather. Times here are tentative. Check at the Registration Desk for the most current information.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Saturday, Aug. 3 | MKSP begins at dusk. Arrivals in the afternoon. |
| Sunday, Aug. 4 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration/Reception 4:14am New Moon New |
| Monday, Aug. 5 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration/Reception 9:25 pm Moonset 2% illuminated |
| Tuesday, Aug. 6 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration/Reception |
| Wednesday, Aug. 7 | New Moon - 2:39am 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration/Reception 3:00 pm @ The Flats – Speaker: Ken Hewitt-White Kobau Skies This Week 9:51 pm Moonset 10% illuminated 8:27 pm Sunset |
| Thursday, Aug. 8 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration/Reception 7:00 pm @ The Flats – Speaker: Murray Paulson, relating stories of three total solar eclipse chases. |
| Friday, Aug. 9 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration/Reception 7:00 pm The Flats – Speaker: Peter Ceravolo, speaking about the construction of a very large amateur telescope. 9:30 pm @ The Flats – Binocular Star Walk, Murray Paulson 10:15 pm Moonset 24% illuminated |
| Saturday, Aug. 10 | 2:00 - 3:00 pm – Registration/Reception Morning of - ATM Contest Judging Walkabout. Noon - Deadline for submission of Photo Contest Submissions and Submissions for Observing Awards. 3:00 pm @ The Flats: Closing Ceremonies, Door Prize Draw, Group Photo, Swap Table 7:00 pm @ The Flats – Speaker: Tony Puerzer, speaking about a simple recipe for successful astro-imaging. |
| Sunday, Aug. 11 | MKSP ends at dawn. Departures by Mid-day. |
Lectures and Topics
We are very excited to announce the following guest speakers for MKSP 2024, which runs for a full week Aug 3-11.
Aug 7th Ken Hewitt-White Topic: Kobau Skies this Week. Ken will highlight some of the key celestial phenomena visible during this year’s MKSP, including five planets, three deep-sky objects and one big meteor shower. Ken will also make a brief dedication in memory of the late Lee Johnson, who initiated Kobau Skies This Week many years ago.
On Aug 8, veteran eclipse chaser Murray Paulson will relate tales of three total solar eclipses. A Trio of Eclipses That Span the Globe. In less than 12 months, Murray traveled to three eclipses. April 2023 saw us in gorgeous Western Australia for a magnificent 57 second long eclipse. Since we had missed the 2012 annular eclipse, we couldn’t pass up a trip to Belize to see last October’s ring of fire from one of that country’s beautiful islands. Last stop: Texas, for the Great American Eclipse. One busy year!
Aug 9, optics expert Peter Ceravolo will speak about the construction of a very large amateur telescope. In Pursuit of Meter-Class Telescopes: Peter will describe the design and construction of an experimental 36” reflector. The telescope is of a high speed Cassegrain form, but with all spherical optics. With a 36” f/1.7 spherical primary and 14” spherical Cassegrain secondary, 120 waves of spherical aberration is corrected by a reflective relay lens system. Sounds great in principle, but Peter will highlight the fact that there is no free lunch!
Aug 10, Tony Puerzer will tell about his simple recipe for astro-imaging success. Capturing the Universe; A Simple Recipe for Success. Using traditional landscape photography as a departure point, Tony will describe a sure-fire “recipe for success” to create beautiful images of the night sky. He will describe gear and techniques that anyone can use to easily create beautiful astrophotos.
In addition to these evening talks, Murray Paulson will be back with his popular Binocular Starwalk, after dark on the 9th (weather permitting).
We hope you'll be able to join us for the 40th anniversary edition of Mt Kobau Star Party!
Speakers
Ken Hewitt-White
An incurable deep-sky observer, Ken has been enjoying the dark skies of Mt. Kobau since the mid-1970s. He is a contributing editor for Sky & Telescope magazine and is the editor of several astronomy books. Most recently, Ken co-authored the 5th edition of Terence Dickinson’s venerable stargazing book NightWatch.
Peter Ceravolo
has been an optician and telescope designer/maker for 50 years. But what really pays the bills are the laser optics his company produces. Ceravolo lenses are used in everything from building cars to baking chocolate chip cookies as well as biotech applications.
Tony Puerzer
is a retired commercial photographer and avid amateur astronomer. He’s a regular contributor to Sky & Telescope magazine, writing about beginner astrophotography in the popular First Exposure column. From 2016 to 2019 he authored the Capturing the Universe column for SkyNews magazine.
Murray Paulson
Murray has tried to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up, but alas it may be too late. Looking down the scope of time, he still loves to get out and see the celestial fireworks and finds comfort in Mt. Kobau’s gorgeous skies. And after 15 eclipses, he has not tired of the chase!
Contests, Pins and Awards
Click on this image to download a pdf list of the Unaided Objects.
Click on this image to download a pdf list of the Intermediate Objects.
Click on this image to download a pdf list of the Bright Objects.
Click on this image to download a pdf list of the Challenge Objects.
This year as is traditional for MKSP there may be awards for the following. For more information on how you might participate ask when you arrive for more information on how to compete for these awards. The Judging occurs on Saturday Morning, so you have to let us know before then that you want to enter.
IMAGING CATEGORIES
A trophy may be awarded for each of the following categories
Prime Focus
Piggyback
Camera On Tripod
Novice Astrophoto
Daytime Photo
Nature
Video
Exceptional Astrophto
EQUIPMENT MAKING CATEGORIES
A trophy may be awarded for each of the following categories
Mechanical Excellence
Most Innovative Design
First Time Telescope
Dobsonian Telescope
Astronomical Equipment
SKETCHING OR DRAWING CATEGORIES
A trophy may be awarded for each of the following categories
Sketching and Drawing from the Telescope
OBSERVING LISTS
MKSP is pleased to present observing suggestions. The observing program suggestions are not competitions in the true sense of the word but rather are intended to provide the astronomer with a sense of accomplishment. Levels of experience range from absolute beginner to seasoned amateur. Refer to the lists below for details.
Completed lists will be rewarded with a pin and your name will be posted in the History section on the MKSP website for all to see. To obtain a pin, bring your completed form to the registration desk during hours of operation.
You will find all the lists by clicking on the links below. Choose the list or lists you would like to try. You may download a copy then print or you may just print the pdf file(s) directly. Don't forget to bring printed copies for your use at the star party.
- UnAided Eye List: No optical aids except your eyes are required to complete this task. Completion of this list will provide those who have little or even no knowledge with the summer-time night sky a satisfying experience of observing fundamentals.
- Bright Objects List: A pair of binoculars or small telescope will be beneficial to complete this list. The list is intended for the beginning amateur, but even experienced astronomers will gain great satisfaction from finding and viewing these objects.
- Intermediate Objects List: You'll need at least a small aperture but a medium sized telescope is recommended to complete this list. This is the list most MKSP attendees will wish to attempt.
- Challenge List: This is a very difficult list and will require a large aperture telescope to complete. Intended for the experienced astronomer.
Click on the image to download a printable PDF to take to the mountain.
Awards
Recipients will be presented here after Saturday
Observing Pins and/or Ribbons
Recipients will be presented here after Saturday
Raffle Prize
Prize winner will be presented here after Saturday
Door Prizes
Prize winners will be presented here after Saturday