Starfest -Canada's largest Star Party, now in it's 25th year!
The community of amateur astronomers in North America is small, yet there are enough of us around to populate many "Star Parties" throughout the continent. The yearly "Starfest" gathering just outside of Mount Forest, Ontario is the largest of its type in Canada. I've had the pleasure of attending two Starfests -in 2001 and again from August 23rd to 26th this year.
This year, despite the rainy weather, we set up our tents, visited friends and made new ones, learned about the latest astronomy software, imaging techniques and purchased equipment from a number of on-site vendors. Alas, the skies poured on us but it didn't dampen our spirits.
Hmm, should I buy it?
One of the highlights of this year's Starfest was a series of presentations by Space Shuttle Astronaut Story Musgrave. For those of you who don't know, in 1993, Story and his fellow team mates of STS-61 flew to the Hubble Space Telescope to correct a serious problem with its optics. Without the mission, the HST would have been a multi-million dollar loss. It took five space walks and very delicate handling to fix Hubble. The result of this very dangerous mission was the wealth of incredible pictures taken by the Hubble -many of which have advanced our knowledge of the universe greatly. Story Musgrave is the one everyone remembers opening the Hubble and replacing its components while attached to the end of the Canadarm.
Story Musgrave autographs his picture for a future astronaut
The most wonderful thing about Mr. Musgrave was the way he connected with everyone. (Ask me about how he drank fizzy Coca-Cola in space) All of us were inspired, entertained and awed by his warmth, humour, positive spirit and incredible achievements.
Thanks to the North York Astronomical Association, presenters of Starfest, for another great year.
Photos: Steve Bevan
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