Outreach Events

INP Urban Star Park             

Join members of RASC NB and the Saint John Astronomy Club for an evening of Fall Astronomy Day observing at the Irving Nature Park this Friday, September 22, from 8:00 to 11:30 pm.
The first quarter Moon, Saturn and Jupiter will be the highlights, and the star clusters and nebulae of the Milky Way are always a delight.
The gate will be opened at 7:30 pm. If the sky is too cloudy we will try again on Saturday at the same time.

Here are the scheduled events at the INP Urban Star Park.

Sept 22nd 8 – 11:30 pm Fall Astronomy Day (Back up 23rd)
Oct 14th 1:30 – 3:30 pm Partial Eclipse of the Sun
Oct 21st 7 – 10 pm International Observe the Moon Night (Back up 22nd)

 


Observing at the Bark Park

Observing at the Bark Park

Join members of RASC NB and the Saint John Astronomy Club in an evening of observing the Moon, planets and stars to celebrate International Astronomy Day. Venus and Mars are alright at night, look for a sword among the Moon’s craters and mountains, and wave goodbye to the winter constellations as the summer stars begin to rise.

Location: Rockwood Park Bark Park (Fisher Lakes entrance)
When: Friday, April 28th from 8:30 to 11:00 pm
If cloudy we will try again on Saturday evening, April 29th.


 

A photo of an SJAC Solar observing outreach event at Queen Square Farmers Market in Saint John

Outreach for the SJAC is a year round project. Whether in a public or in a more private setting (such as to schools, classrooms, or groups), it is a big part of the New Brunswick astronomy experience. These are in addition to the five major Star Parties in New Brunswick.
In 2019 RASC NB hosted 240 Outreach Events including Facebook live feeds. This was later affected by Covid, but with 2022 attendance to live events returned and increased. You can view the stats toward the bottom of this page. Not bad for a Province of less than 800,000 people!

Were you there? Above~ a Gallery of various Outreach Events. Give it time to load.


Rockwood Park~

Photo of Fall Astronomy Day at Rockwood Park in September 2017.

Photo of Fall Astronomy Day at Rockwood Park in September 2017.

Rockwood Park in Saint John is one of the largest and most diverse urban parks in North America. An all season natural amusement park, it is part of the Stonehammer Geopark System and the Interpretation Centre is the site of the SJAC monthly meetings, usually the first Saturday of every month.
Below~ part of the crowd during the Partial Solar Eclipse in Saint JohnPartial Solar Eclipse Day at Rockwood Bark Park, Sant John, NB.See also:
Astronomy Day in Rockwood Park
Partial Solar Eclipse in Saint John
Fall Astronomy Day in Rockwood Park

Irving Nature Park~

Partial Solar Eclipse Day On August 21, 2017 at Irving Nature Park, Saint John, NB.

Partial Solar Eclipse Day On August 21, 2017 at Irving Nature Park, Saint John, NB.

The Partial Solar Eclipse (above) was the most successful and well attended public Outreach event in the 17 year history of RASC NB. In Saint John it was observed at Irving Nature Park and at the Rockwood Park Bark Park.Public Nighttime Observing in Irving Nature Park presented by RASC.NB and the SJAC.

Excitement always abounds at any nighttime observing event. Irving Nature Park is Canada’s 1st Urban Star Park, and the staff at this incredible park have always facilitated these nighttime observing events, which are always free and open to the public.Photo of nighttime at the INP National Star Party

Looking up at the National Star Party at Irving Nature Park, July 30, 2017

A 360 pano of the National Star Party at Irving Nature Park celebrating Canada's Sesquicentennial in July of 2017.

Above~ Have a look around (click the pic, then use your mouse)
See also:
Moonlight Snowshoe Walk
Partial Solar Eclipse in Saint John
National Star Party Irving Nature Park 2017
Observe the Moon Night 2017
National Astronomy Day Irving Nature Park 2018
Fall Astronomy Day at Irving Nature Park
Fall Astronomy Day at Irving Nature Park 2022

Saints Rest Beach~

Photo of telescopes set up at Saints Rest Beach, Saint John, NB, for public viewing.

SJAC member Mike Powell pointing out some stars at Saints Rest beach in Saint John, NB

SJAC members setting up for public stargazing at Saints Rest beach in Saint John, NB

Photo showing a group of astronomers from the Saint John Astronomy Club set up at Saints Rest Beach in Saint John, NB.Above~ The public getting some views at Saints Rest Beach, which is located on the Bay side as you are entering Irving Nature Park. You can find out more by visiting our page Astronomy by the Bay.

Town of Hampton at Dutch Point Park~

Photo of telescopes being set up at Town of Hampton's 2nd Star Party at Dutch Point Park in Sept. 2019--by Christine White.

Photo of telescopes being set up at Town of Hampton's 2nd Star Party at Dutch Point Park in Sept. 2019--by Christine White.

Viewing the Moon at the Hampton Star Party, May 11, 2019 [photo-Rob Darrah]

Photo of a new budding astronomer at the Hampton Star Party, May 11, 2019 [photo-Jim Stewart]

Viewing the Moon at the Hampton Star Party, May 11, 2019 [photo-Jim Stewart]The beautiful Dutch Point Park in Hampton is easily accessible and an excellent location for public observing. You can find out more on our page Hampton Star Party. Dutch Point Park has an extensive trail system, ball parks, playground and a year round favourite for hiking, walking and photography.

St. Martins during Old Home Week~

Photo of Outreach event in St. Martins during Old Home Week in July 2018.

Photo of public observing event at St. Martins Old Home Week 2018

Photo of public observing event at St. Martins Old Home Week 2018

The beautiful village of St. Martins hosts Old Home Week once per year, usually in July. Stargazing at the ball park is a perfect way to cap off the day, whether after visiting the festivities, exploring the Sea Caves or the Fundy Trail Parkway. Excellent website at Destination St. Martins reveals this jewel on the Fundy Coast.

Clubs and Organizations~

A winter Outreach Event presented by RASC.NB and the SJAC.

 
Summer or winter, Outreach is year round. Some of the best viewing can be had in a winter sky, and since it gets dark earlier, it also works out better for school hours.
Nighttime Observing and Outreach is for all ages and genders.

Schools and Classrooms~

Saint John Astronomy Club Outreach at a local school in New Brunswick.

School Outreach activities can vary from presentations, night observing, daytime solar observing, youth groups, school talks, exhibitions, observatories and planetariums.Photo of Outreach Event at a school.

Saint John Astronomy Club Outreach at a local school in New Brunswick.

Saint John Astronomy Club Outreach at a local school in New Brunswick.

Saint John Astronomy Club Outreach at a local school in New Brunswick.

Showing someone how to take a pic of the Moon at a Saint John Astronomy Club Outreach Event at a local school in New Brunswick.

Above~ Everybody’s favourite: showing someone how to take a picture of the Moon with their own phone.

Public Events~

Indoor Outreach Event by RASC.NB

SJAC Outreach at the Saint John Qplex in 2018

Videos~


From our YouTube Channel~ The two videos above  and the Thank You video below from Astronomy by the Bay will give you an idea of the scope of the various activities RASC.NB and the SJAC offer~

Photo linking to the 2017 Thank You video from Astronomy by the Bay.

Also, check out the 2017 Thank You Video from Astronomy by the Bay. Chris Curwin clocked an amazing 3,393 people at his scopes in 2017 in addition to the 132,357 that participated in his Facebook Live Feeds.

~SJAC Interview about Outreach on LocalFM.ca~

Chris, Matt, and Amelia from the Saint John Astronomy Club visit Rebecca on the Radio for a chat about what is going on with amateur astronomy in Saint John, New Brunswick. Check out her show on 107.3 FM, Saint John, LocalRadio.ca. Great stuff!


2022 Province wide RASC NB Outreach Stats~

Link to the RASCNB Outreach Stats as of Oct 13. 2022 in pdf.
[click to view in pdf]

Facebook Live Feed numbers are for only during the LiveFeed itself. They do not include people tuning in and viewing at a later time.


A different kind of Outreach~

Photo showing an ongoing Facebook Live feed by Astronomy by the Bay.

A Facebook Live feed provides a unique opportunity for people across Canada and the globe to look through telescopes. Chris Curwin from Astronomy by the Bay has been sharing his Facebook Live views since 2017 and the results are astounding. Over 325,000 viewers from April 2017 to June 2019! If you’re curious, you can view the figures on our Stats page.


Star Party Etiquette–for any Star Party, Anywhere~

Photo showing Star Party Etiquette of using your eyes, not hands.

 Regarding Photography & Outreach:

We do not publish any photos of a Private Outreach Event without your consent or permission.

Logo of the RASC New Brunswick Centre
The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada~New Brunswick Centre (RASC NB) is involved in Outreach Events all across the Province.

How to Schedule an Outreach Event for your Group~

For more information or to ask about scheduling an Outreach Event at your school or location please email info@sjastronomy.ca.

 


See also~

Star Parties in New Brunswick

Outreach~ Fall 2017
Outreach~ Summer 2017
Outreach~ Spring 2017
Outreach~ Winter 2016-17
Outreach~ 2016

Observe the Moon Night
Fall Astronomy Day in Rockwood Park
Partial Solar Eclipse in Saint John
National Star Party at Irving Nature Park
Astronomy Day in Rockwood Park
Moonlight Snowshoe Walk
Hampton Star Party

 

 

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