Merritt Astronomical Society News & Events

News

2011 STAR QUEST

Next years 2011 Star Quest is slated to begin on August 27th and ending on September 3rd.
Which we hope works a little better for families with kids having to go back to school after the Labor Day weekend. It is also hoped the weather will be much more cooperative at that time also.
Although this years event was a bit of a "wash" (pun intended), it was still a great time inspite of the over cast skies.
There were great stories to tell, great meals to share, and great new friendships made.
The Grand Prize this year was won by Jack Nolet, congratulations Jack!

Also, New Merritt Star Quest T-shirts were also available this year! Great fun and quite smart looking as well! A blend of two photo's taken by Nicole Bienvenu and Janeen Williams.
Janeen's shot of the landscape and Nicole's shot of the Constellation of Capricorn with the logo Merritt Star Quest encapsulating the scene, great stuff.
The numbers of participants were down this year but we were able to meet the required funds we needed to host next years event comfortably. So if you couldn't make it out this year!
We'd sure love to see you at the 2011 event next year!
If you are so inclined it would also help greatly if you would be so kind as to send Phill Williams (Treasurer) a donation for the next years event.
Thank you so much for your support! See you next year!

Postal address:
Merritt Astronomical Society
c/o Phill Williams
1556 Shaughnessy St,
Port Coquitlam, BC
V3C 6M4

2010-04-06

NEW: Registration Fees are as follows:

1 Person Attendee:

1Person $20.00 - 1 night only!

1 Person $40.00 - 2 nights or entire event

1 night attendees are not eligible to receive door prize ticket

2 persons or Family:

1 night $25.00

2 nights or entire event $50.00

1 night attendees are not eligible to receive door prize ticket

2011-08-02
It's just been discovered that our email address on the website had stopped working
So please accept my sincerest apologies for this over sight on my part and for any inconvenience that this may have caused you.
But the problem has been rectifide!

2010-04-05

I've taken over the website duties (Paul Greenhalgh), in order to lend a hand to the present webmaster. The new dates have been posted for the 2010 event,and wish to offer our apologies for the delay.
Life has a way of getting in the way if you know what I mean!
Other news? That sand hole was filled in prior to the 2009 event by the Department of Highways. Earl Nygard (maintenance Engineer) was extremely and I mean extremely helpful in getting the machinery and equipment

necessary up to the site to fix the problem. That sand hole which was quite large, was dug out and filled in with some very substantial heavy material and then covered with a solid layer of gravel
to make things very stable. This has improved the available area for astronomers significantly. I personally drove over the area just to test it and I nary left a mark on it. So I'm very confident
that you could park a fully loaded semi on that spot and it would barely make a dent. So I am personally very pleased about that getting fixed. At anyrate it is my hope to see you in September!
The new date for this years event is September 4th to September 11th. See you there!!!

P.S.!!! Mark Eburne and myself (Paul Greenhalgh) and member at large Frank Larre. Had a meeting with the City of Merritt Council and Mayor. And talked to them about the issues of Light Pollution.
The presentation was scheduled for 15 minutes, but once we started they were captivated and were granted the time we needed to explain what the issues are and how to fix them in a slow and gradual
process. Upon using one intersection as an example of poor lighting systems, the Mayor or Merritt inspected the area the following day and ordered to have it fixed immediately! Merritt according to the
Mayor will now be installing FCO street lighting for all new installations, and converting the older lights when maintenance is required. They will also be looking into other forms of light pollution causing
issues and possibly rectifying those as well. All I can say about this is THANK YOU MERRITT for your foresight, wisdom and expediance to correcting the issues of Light Pollution! The warmth and hospitality
you have shown to the Astronomers that visit the Merritt Area has been nothing short of Gracious and Spectacular! Many are now saying each September "Gad it's nice to be home under these rich dark skies".
As I write this I'm just itching to get back up there!!! See you soon!!!

2007-09-08
This years Merritt Star Quest was spot on and rediculously awesome! The weather couldn't have co-operated any better! 8 nights of glorious observing nights, spectacular views and rock solid skies.
This year's event was blessed with clear skies all day and all night throughout the entire event, the clouds didn't roll back in until the very last day of the event, effectively bringing the event to a close.
During the last weekend of the event, Frank Larre supplied a free lunch, free dinner (Saturday) and free breakfast (Sunday). Thank you so much Frank!
Vancouver Telescope was also present during the event and teased everyone with their new products and spectacular new eyepiece (just came out) the Ethos 13mm by Televue. 79 people attended this years event matching that of last years event.
Good times were had by all! I personally can't wait until next year.

2005-06-23
New Observing Site for the FALL 2005 Star Quest has been established for the Merritt Astronomical Society. You can find the new site at "WWW.MERRITTASTRONOMICAL.COM" Check it out Maps are also available for easy location. From Merritt take 97C east towards Kelowna and near the top you'll see the exit for Loon Lake. Follow the directions provided via the map on this website. Hope to see you there!!! LOTS OF ROOM. 360 degrees of view, no serious obstructions, if anything you'll be sheltered from the winds. And hot during the day, sooooo be sure to bring some shade. You can also see some photos of the site provided by the Fraser Valley Astronomers Website at GO TO OBSERVING SITE Be sure to click on next image and you'll eventually do a 360 of the observing site. This site according the Bortle Light Pollution scale is sitting at #2, One being the best of the best, so the site is extremely dark. And you should be able to enjoy some of the most fantastic views you've had since we were kids. I strongly recommend trying to attend this event you won't be sorry!

2004-05-05
New Domain Name has been established for the Merritt Astronomical Societies Website. You can find the new site at "WWW.MERRITTASTRONOMICAL.COM" Enjoy!

2004-04-23
A/President Paul Greenhalgh received a phone call from Mr.Mark Pooley of the Pooley Ranch. Who has offered the Merritt Astronomical Society exclusive use of 1000 acres of land, for the purposes of Astronomy. The MAS is extremely grateful to Mr.Pooley and his generosity, what a wonderful gift to the Astronomical Community! Dark Skies and Deep Sky Objects await!Both Chuck Webb and Paul Greenhalgh made a trip to Merritt to inspect this gracious offering and are extremely pleased with what they saw and experienced. Photos of the site are available for viewing contact Paul at fvas(at)shaw(dot)ca for more information. Exciting times folks!

2004-03-20
Website changes started

2003-11-06
Site Secured for Spring Merritt Star Quest Victoria Day Weekend 2004 Click the Star Quests link on the left for more info.

2003-10-08
The Merritt Star Quest was a huge success thanks to you all of you. We had over 43 parties and/or vehicles and approx. 62 people.

2003-09-13
The Merritt Star Quest is approaching fast, and as you may know the BC government has now lifted the banned on back country camping and traveling. The last day for pre-registration is the evening of September 18th.

2003-08-12
The Merritt Astronomical Society received the certificate of Incorporation from the British Columbia Government.