Starfest is underway in Ayton this weekend.
The North York Astronomical Association says it’s Canada’s largest amateur astronomy conference and star party.
A star party is a gathering of amateur astronomers who bring their telescopes and binoculars to a dark location to stargaze away from city lights.
It offers activities for experienced observers and new ones.
They say there are observing sessions, a guided sky tour, leading-edge speakers, workshops, children’s activities, commercial exhibits with hands-on displays, vendors, door prizes and astrophotography.
This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Nathalie Nguyen-Quoc Ouellette whose talk is called, Unfolding the Universe with the Webb Telescope; Nature vs Nurture: Building Galaxies in a Cluster Environment. See the schedule here: https://www.nyaa.ca/index.php?page=sf22/sf.program22
Organizers also say it’s a camping weekend, and not well suited for people who are on a day trip.
Starfest is held at River Place Park, RR 3, Ayton. Facebook posts Friday afternoon indicate there may still be field camping spots left.
There is a registration fee.
The festival is being held this year from August 25th to 28th.
