MKSP 2026 Star Party Information
MKSP 2026 - President's Message
As the snow melts away from the mountaintops of southern BC, plans for the 2026 Mt. Kobau Star Party are shaping up. MKSP is scheduled to run 8 nights from dusk on August 8 through until dawn on August 16. New Moon is ideally placed in mid-event, giving us the maximum hours of dark sky. It's an optimum year for meteor observing on the mountain as well, with the Perseids peaking less than one day after New Moon. The superior worlds of the solar system are favoured at Kobau this year: Neptune, Uranus, Saturn and Mars are all well placed for viewing in the wee hours. (Jupiter, with Mercury and Venus are lost in the sun's glare.) The guest speaker line-up is newly complete, this year featuring Ken Hewitt-White, Peter Balholm, Mark Force and Dr. Roland Kothes. More on their talks coming soon. Make your plans now to join us in August!
MKSP 2026 Skies
for 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 2026 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 MKSP 2026 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 | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| 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 2026 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. 8 | MKSP begins at dusk. |
| Sunday, Aug. 9 | 1:18 am – Moonrise 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration |
| Monday, Aug. 10 | 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration |
| Tuesday, Aug. 11 | 4:04 am – Moonrise 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration |
| Wednesday, Aug. 12 | New Moon (not observable) 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration 3:00 pm @ The Flats – Speaker: Ken Hewitt-White Topic: Kobau Skies this Week |
| Thursday, Aug. 13 | 8:43 pm – Moonset (Probably not observable) 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration 8:15 pm @ The Flats – Speaker: To be announced 10:00 pm @ The Flats – Binocular Star Walk with Mark Force |
| Friday, Aug. 14 | 8:59 pm – Moonset 2:00 - 4:00 pm – Registration 8:15 pm The Flats – Speaker: To be announced 10:00 pm @ The Flats – Binocular Star Walk with Mark Force - Alternate time |
| Saturday, Aug. 15 | 9:13 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 TBD |
| Sunday, Aug. 16 | 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.
Peter Balholm
TBA
Bio:
TBA
Mark Force
BINOCULAR STAR WALK
Bring your binoculars and a blanket to lie down on as you join veteran star-walker Mark Force 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. The star walk is a perennial Kobau favourite. Don’t miss it!
Bio:
Dr. Roland Kothes.
TBA
Bio:
Contests, Pins and Awards
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 link to download a printable PDF to take to the mountain.
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.
MKSP 2026 Recipients' - Contests, Pins and Awards
Awards
A selection of Recipients are presented here
Observing Pins and/or Ribbons
A selection of recipients are presented here.
Raffle Prize
A selection of recipients are presented here.
Door Prizes
A selection of Recipients are presented here