MKSP 2025 Star Party Information
MKSP 2025 - President's Message
Welcome to Mt. Kobau!
The fact that you’re reading these words indicates MKSP has dodged the wildfire bullet
and is forging ahead for the 39th time. Fires have caused us two cancellations in the past five years. Worries over fire and smoke have become an annual burden, casting doubt on all manner of outdoor events, MKSP among them. Nevertheless, here we are, and we promise to make the best of the time we have!
MKSP 2025 is unusual. Always held around the dark of the moon in deference to deep sky observers. This year we’ve chosen dates where new moon falls on the second-to-last night, which means a fair bit of moonlight awaits early-arriving attendees. On night #1, the waning crescent moon actually rises about a half hour before midnight (unheard of at MKSP), and about an hour later each subsequent morning. Last quarter of the moon is so under-observed as to be almost exotic – be sure to have a look. Old Luna will be high in the sky around dawn on MKSP’s first two mornings when seeing is often excellent. In the wee hours of August 19 and 20, her slim crescent joins brilliant Jupiter and Venus, making for a spectacular trio. Planet observers will also want to take in the transit of Titan’s shadow on Saturn, beginning late on the evening of August 18 (with Neptune less than 2 degrees away).
The evening talks this year cover a broad spectrum of subjects from telescopic astro-imaging to the three-body problem and skies of the southern hemisphere. See pages 7/8 for details. Deep sky guru Ken Hewitt-White returns to present Kobau Skies this Week on Wednesday afternoon, and MKSP fave Murray Paulson leads his Binocular Star-Walk Thursday night (weather permitting).
We hope you soak in lots of starlight and get the most out of MKSP 2025!
- Jim Failes / President, Mount Kobau Astronomical Society
MKSP 2025 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 2025 MKSP-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 2025 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 2025 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. 16 | MKSP begins at dusk. Last Quarter Moon is on Aug. 15th 11:15 pm – Moonrise |
| Sunday, Aug. 17 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration/Reception |
| Monday, Aug. 18 | 12:05 am – Moonrise 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration/Reception |
| Tuesday, Aug. 19 | 1:09 am – Moonrise 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration/Reception |
| Wednesday, Aug. 20 | 2:25 am – Moonrise 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration/Reception 3:00 pm @ The Flats – Speaker: Ken Hewitt-White Topic: Kobau Skies this Week |
| Thursday, Aug. 21 | 3:46 am – Moonrise 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration/Reception 8:15 pm @ The Flats – Speaker: Colleen O’Hare Topic: The 3-Body Problem 10:00 pm @ The Flats – Binocular Star Walk with Murray Paulson |
| Friday, Aug. 22 | 4:14 am – New Moon (not observable) 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration/Reception 8:15 pm The Flats – Speaker: Jim Failes Topic: Under African Skies 10:00 pm @ The Flats – Binocular Star Walk with Murray Paulson - Alternate time |
| Saturday, Aug. 23 | 8:15 pm – Moonset 2:00 - 3:00 pm – Registration Morning to 3:00 pm – ATM Contest Judging Walkabout Time & Meeting to be posted 3:00 pm @ The Flats – Closing Ceremonies, Door Prize Draw, Group Photo 5:00 pm @ The Flats – Swap Table 8:30 pm @ The Flats – Speaker Sean Perdue Topic: THE MANY FORMS OF ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY |
| Sunday, Aug. 24 | MKSP ends at dawn. Departures by Mid-day. |
Talks and Speakers
Ken Hewitt-White
KOBAU SKIES THIS WEEK
Ken will summarize the celestial phenomena visible during this year’s MKSP, with emphasis on the nearly ringless planet Saturn. A highlight late in the week will be a lovely lineup at dawn of Jupiter, Venus and Mercury, plus a wafer-thin crescent Moon. Also on the program will be word of any summer comets visible over Kobau.
Bio:
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.
Jim Failes
THE 3 BODY PROBLEM: THE BOOK THE SERIES, THE PROBLEM
What is it about the universe that it can’t abide a three-way? Is it gravity, chaos, quantum quirkiness or something else? In this talk, Colleen O’Hare pries into the ways that the universe gets upset about it and stops it from happening.
Bio:
Jim Failes’ association with MKSP goes back to its inception in 1984. A life-long amateur astronomer, he has seen nearly everything there is to see as an observer, but until this year had never travelled to the Southern Hemisphere. When an opportunity arose to volunteer as a sky guide in a Namibian Dark Sky Reserve, it was an offer he couldn’t refuse. Jim’s northern hemisphere life revolves around family and friends in southern BC.
Murray Paulson
BINOCULAR STAR WALK
Bring your binoculars and a blanket to lie down on as you join veteran star-walker Murray Paulson for a guided tour of the sparkling Mt. Kobau Sky. His tour will lead you across the heavens with stops at star clusters, nebulas and galaxies – the very best binocular highlights of summer. Murray’s star walk is a perennial Kobau favourite. Don’t miss it!
Bio:
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!
Sean Purdue
THE MANY FORMS OF ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY THROUGH A TELESCOPE: WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
Explore the wide spectrum of astrophotography: from just holding your phone up to the eyepiece to serious sky-work with full astro rigs. This presentation by Okanagan astrophotographer Sean Perdue delves into the processes and products of contemporary imaging and highlights dozens of his best cosmic captures.
Bio:
Sean Perdue is a carpenter and certified audio engineer who caught the astronomy bug from Comet NEOWISE in 2020. Sean joined the RASC shortly after and started learning everything he could about astrophotography, which (as all astro-imagers know) is a skill with a learning curve that never stops curving. That said, Sean is producing some fantastic technical and creative work, which we’re sure you’ll enjoy seeing.
Colleen O’Hare
THE 3 BODY PROBLEM: THE BOOK THE SERIES, THE PROBLEM
What is it about the universe that it can’t abide a three-way? Is it gravity, chaos, quantum quirkiness or something else? In this talk, Colleen O’Hare pries into the ways that the universe gets upset about it and stops it from happening.
Bio:
Always interested in science, Colleen O’Hare joined the RASC Okanagan Centre in 2004 and is currently Outreach Program Director. She enjoys sharing her passion with schools and clubs, as well as participating in career fairs and community events. A founder of the Okanagan Observatory, she gives opening presentations at the OO’s public nights, then joins telescopic guiding to amaze the guests. Colleen received the RASC’s inaugural Qilak award and was honoured with the naming of minor planet 10096 Colleen O'hare. She is thoroughly comfortable being labelled an ‘astronomoholic’.
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