Nestled among 100 acres of cedar-bordered meadows on the world’s largest freshwater isle, Gordon’s Park on Ontario’s Manitoulin Island is possibly the darkest reasonably-accessible place in the province.
You can read more about this magical place in the July/Aug 2012 issue of Sky News magazine…OR you can travel there during one of the park’s special stargazing events and see the full glory of the cosmos under what might just be Ontario’s darkest skies.
For the record, here are the latest themed stargazing events at Gordon’s for 2012, along with details on speakers and special activities, as well as how to register:
Aug 10 – 12, 2012 – Perseids Meteor Shower Party
Come watch the fabulous natural “fireworks” observing the Perseids Meteor Showers from the RASC designated dark sky preserve at Gordon’s Park. Participants can expect to see over 60 colourful meteors per hour beginning at 9:30 pm during the weekend and growing more spectacular in the early morning hours until dawn. The event includes camping in the dark sky preserve, public observing sessions, laser guided sky tours and more.
rita@gordonspark.com 705-859-2470, www.gordonspark.com and “like” us onwww.facebook.com/gordonspark
38.00 + tax per person per night
75.00 + tax per family per night (2 adults, kids under 16)
Not staying overnight – Cost is 15.00+ tax per person for the evening, 25.00 + tax per family (2 adults, kids under 16)
August 17 – 20, 2012 – Manitoulin Star Party
Our magnificent premier Star Party is held in the RASC designated Dark Sky Preserve at Gordon’s Park with 360 degree viewing, no light pollution and the darkest skies in Ontario. Activities & Workshops include a Welcome Wine & Cheese Reception, Astronomy Art Show, Guest Speakers, Guided Public Astronomy Sessions, Laser Guided Sky Tours, Nature Interpretive Centre, Guided Fossil Walk, Mini Putt Challenge, Children’s Playground, Wind Up Campfire & Saturday Night Pot Luck Supper. Presenters this year include Steve Pellarin, Windsor RASC with “Weird Variable Stars” and “Plutoids, Centaurs & KBOs: Dwarf Planets of the Outer Solar System”, Klaus Peltsch with “Kepler Discoveries of Habitable Zone Planets”, Heather Theijsmeijer with “Observing the Life Cycles of A Star”, Mick Rice with “Theories of the Universe” and Aaron Top, Astrophotographer with an Astrophotography Slide Show.
rita@gordonspark.com 705-859-2470, www.gordonspark.com and “like” us onwww.facebook.com/gordonspark
38.00 + tax per person per night
75.00 + tax per family per night (2 adults, kids under 16).
Aug 17 & 18, 2012 – Public Observing Sessions & Laser Guided Sky Tours
Excellent Introduction into Astronomy, these sessions are open to the public during the StarGazing Manitoulin & the Manitoulin Star Party and are held in the dark sky preserve at Gordon’s Park Eco Resort. The evenings include entrance to the RASC designated Dark Sky Preserve, guided experience looking through telescopes & observing with binoculars and an incredible laser guided sky tour.
rita@gordonspark.com 705-859-2470, www.gordonspark.com and “like” us onwww.facebook.com/gordonspark
15.00 + tax per person
August 26, 2012 – “Focus on Forests” Guided Hike
Join us for a guided hike through the fabulous forest at Gordon’s Park with a focus on the five different eco systems in the park and an emphasis on trees, mushrooms, edible wilds, animal tracks, birds, wildlife and much more.
rita@gordonspark.com 705-859-2470, www.gordonspark.com and “like” us onwww.facebook.com/gordonspark
15.00 + tax per person
35.00 + tax per family (2 adults, kids under 16).
Aug 31 – Sept 3, 2012 – Drumming & Astronomy Weekend (Labour Day Long Weekend)
Drumming, Camping and Stargazing all weekend long, this fabulous retreat offers drumming by the light of the moon, sunrise drumming, public observing sessions with telescopes and binoculars, laser guided sky tours and camping in the RASC designated dark sky preserve at Gordon’s Park. Bring your drum (drums), binoculars and camping gear.
rita@gordonspark.com 705-859-2470, www.gordonspark.com and “like” us onwww.facebook.com/gordonspark
55.00 + tax per person per night
110.00 + tax per family per night (2 adults, kids under 16).
Sept 7 – 9, 2012 – Meteors, Northern Lights & the Heavens Above
Presented by “Wilderness Astronomer” and contributing editor of Sky Magazine: The Canadian Magazine of Astronomy & Stargazing. This Star Party is held in the RASC designated Dark Sky Preserve at Gordon’s Park with 360 degree viewing, no light pollution and the darkest skies in Ontario. Activities & Workshops include “Wilderness Astronomy: Campsite Stargazing in our Nation’s Wild Spaces”, “Space Tourism for Kids Ages 9 – 99″, “2012: A Space Entrée”, Northern Lights Photography and a Celebrity tour of the Night Sky
rita@gordonspark.com 705-859-2470, www.gordonspark.com and “like” us onwww.facebook.com/gordonspark
62.00 + tax per person per night
99.00 + tax per family per night (2 adults, kids under 16).