Your invitation to...
The 6th Frozen Banana
Star Party (FBSP)
Proudly sponsored by the Sudbury
Astronomy Club
It takes place Thursday May 9th
through Sunday May 12th, 2002 at Munro Park, Powassan, Ontario.
We invite you and your friends to attend.
Come and experience the pristine, dark skies of Northern Ontario.
It's time to renew and refresh that feeling of awe and wonder as you gaze
at our universe. Why? Because it will be Spring! The
Frozen Banana Star Party is held twice yearly, once in the spring and
again in the fall. This year we are having the spring event a little
later than usual. So the bananas should not freeze this time around
and neither should you.
Get a jump on summer! The great planetary alignment
of 2002 will be in full display at dusk Mars and Venus will be only
0.3 degrees apart on the 10th. Tackle the Virgo Cluster of Galaxies,
work on your Messier Certificate, or hunt down those illusive NGC's, or
do astrophotography at your leisure. The Summer Triangle will be
above the eastern horizon at dusk, Scorpius rises at 9:30 p.m. and Sagittarius
and the entire Milky Way will be in full glory by midnight. Why wait
for summer, do it in Spring as well. Enjoy the camaraderie of friends
old and new. It's a wonderful time to be out in the fresh air and
it's a great time to do astronomy. And we would like you to be part
of it.
Whether you are an experienced observer or a novice stargazer you will
appreciate the dark skies found at Munro Park. For going on twelve
years it has been the site of the annual Gateway to the Universe
star party; and for good reason, the skies are terrific!
How To Get To Munro Park The town of Powassan is located about
30 km south of North Bay, Ontario on Hwy 11. Turn off at the Clark
Street exit ramp and take Hwy 534 West. After travelling about 5 km turn
south on Alsace Road until you come to Munro Park. There should
be astronomy signs posted to help you out. Should you still be lost
the phone number for Munro Park is 705-724-2539.
This is a camping weekend however there are a number of motels in
the area if you wish to go that route. Hot showers and flush toilets
are located behind the main office at Munro Park.
The cost for the entire weekend is only $20 per person.
Whether you stay for three nights or only one the fee is still $20.
If you plan on bringing a "non-astronomer" friend or companion the $20
fee applies to them as well.
Motel Accomodation is available nearby at the Beaver Lodge Motel
and Restaurant. Look @ http://www.ontario.worldweb.com/NortheasternOntario/Powassan/WheretoStay/Inns
We have only one rule (with the exception of common sense), and
that is:
No white lights after Dark. Red
only! Interior car lights must be shielded. No vehicle
will be allowed to enter the star party grounds after dusk. Those
who do not wish to camp must leave their vehicle outside the observing
area facing away from the campground. To this end we will close off
the roadway with a removeable barrier promptly after sunset. Of course
in case of an emergency the no white at
night rule is waived. Should the night
be cloudy or mostly cloudy we may allow normal lighting. In which
case you can enjoy our famous bonfire with friends, food, drink, music,
stories, and laughter. If you are musically inclined, bring your
instrument.
Don't plan on cooking Saturday night! We started a tradition
last year of having the whole gang go out for a group dinner at a
local restaurant. The feed back we received was that we should do
it again. We had a great meal and a lot of fun. No dishes.
Just smiles and full tummies.
When you register you will be asked if you would like to join us.
This way we can give the restaurant an idea of the number of guests they
can expect. Space is limited. Dinner will be at 5:30 p.m.
Embroidered Frozen Banana Star Party Tee Shirts will be available
this year for $20. If you would like to order one please indicate
the size you would like. There are only
two sizes: large and extra large. It is probably best
to order in advance as we are only producing a limited number for this
event. Some will be available at the registration table; when they're
gone...they're gone.
Registration You can register right at the main
entrance to the park if you wish. If you plan on ordering a T-shirt
it might be simpler to just send a cheque for the cost of registration
plus the amount required for each souvenir shirt you would like to order.
Just tell us the sizes: LARGE or EXTRA-LARGE. To register
in advance send a cheque payable to: Sudbury Astronomy Club (FBSP), 8 Shelley
Drive, Sudbury, ON P3A 2S5. Include your name, address,
phone number, e-mail address, and T-shirt order information.
Hours of Registration: Thursday, May 9th 5 p.m.
to 9:00 p.m. (See Harold Healy)
Friday, May 10th 5 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
(at registration table)
Saturday May 11th 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (at registration
table)
If you arrive before or after these hours please see Harold Healy or Donna-Marie
Bonnett to register.
Some This and Thats!
Swap Table Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at the gazebo. Bring
your unwanted astronomy stuff to sell or trade. You are responsible
for your own items.
Talks: None Scheduled. However Merlin Clayton and Pat Bedard
with give a presentation to a group of local Girl Guides Saturday evening
(at the Gazebo) which you are welcome to attend.
Electricity: None available
Picnic Tables: There are a few. First come. First served
Catering: None
Pets: Please leave them at home
Door Prizes: Who knows? Maybe!
Great Observing: Absolutely!!!
Read Testimonials about the FBSP: just run a search at http://www.google.com
under the heading "Frozen Banana Star Party"
Contacting Us: If you have questions feel free to call
me at home at 705-524-1524, or send an e-mail. Please
forward this to a friend if you like. The only promotion
we do is by word-of-mouth, e-mail, and hopefully some mention in astronomy
magazines. Hope to see you in Powassan.
Harold Healy
President
Sudbury Astronomy Club
http://ww2.isys.ca/astroclub
Finally, please let me know if you plan on attending. This is
not a commitment for you but it will help us with our organization and
planning. Thank again.
MAPS
Overview Map Zoomed In
Here is the Clear Sky Clock for North Bay http://www.cleardarksky.com/c/NorthBayONkey.html