Star-B-Q to take place at Butter Pot Provincial Park

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, is pleased to announce that again this year the Parks and Natural Areas Division along with the St. John's Centre Royal Astronomical Society of Canada will hold a Star-B-Q at Butter Pot Provincial Park from July 27 to July 29.

"Our provincial parks offer endless opportunities for learning about nature," said Minister Aylward. "Butter Pot Provincial Park has a special feature in that it is an ideal site for learning about astronomy. I encourage everyone to take advantage of this special weekend to visit the park and view the planets, the sun and the solar systems." 

Star-B-Q will take place in the field behind the comfort station at Butter Pot Provincial Park and will include activities, relating to astronomy, for all ages. Everyone is encouraged to bring along binoculars and telescopes, view the stars, planets and other things, receive tips from expert astronomers and take part in the barbeque and wiener roast. 

Activities are scheduled for the entire weekend. Barbequing will take place on Friday from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Saturday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Individuals are asked to bring their own food for barbequing. Regular provincial park fees apply, but programs, activities and viewing are free. 

Butter Pot Provincial Park is located on the Avalon Peninsula approximately 36 km southwest of St. John's along the Trans Canada Highway. 

Media contact: Catherina Kennedy, Communications, (709) 729-0928

For more information contact Robin Francis, (09) 685-1853

BACKGROUNDER
Star-B-Q 2001 
Butter Pot Provincial Park
July 27-29

FRIDAY:

Star-B-Q

Time: 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Place: B-B-Q pit, next to Star Base
Bring along your morsels and drink and join us at the B-B-Q grill provided compliments of the Butter Pot staff and Royal Astronomical Society of Canada (RASC)

Astronomical Observing, Naked eye, Binocular and Telescopic (weather permitting)

Time: 10:00 p.m. till as long as you can stay up 
Place: Star Base 
Come join the RASC as they telescope in on the craters of the moon and the wonders of the night sky.

SATURDAY:

Solar Walk and Talk

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Place: Base of Butter Pot Hill Trail 
Come along and visit the members of our solar system on a guided trek up Butter Pot Hill. 
Hosted by Robin Francis, park interpreter. 

Solar Observing (weather permitting)

Time: Throughout the day 
Place: Star Base
Come see the sun spots and surface granulation on the surface of our very own star
old SOL the sun. 
Hosted by members of the RASC
(Telescopic views with special filters) 

Meteoroid Impact Planet Earth

Time: 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
Place: The BB-Q pit (Next to Star Base)
Join RASC host Gary Dymond as he demonstrates the next best thing to witnessing a meteoroid impact!
Gary demonstrates using marbles and flour, the effect meteoroids have on the surface of the earth and the moon (Interactive event).

Telescopes For Dummies

Time: 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Place: BB-Q pit
Join RASC hosts for an informative look at how to get the best use out of a variety of telescope designs for astronomical use.

Barbecue Your Buns Off

Time: 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Place: At the pit
Bring along your favorite morsels and drinks to the BB-Q grill provided compliments of the Butter Pot staff

Starry Night Sing Along and Campfire

Time: 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Place: Campfire area next to BB-Q pit.
Sing along hosted by the Butterpot staff and the RASC 

Main Attractions:

Special solo performances by RASC members.
Toilet Paper Astro Caper. Entertaining animated journey through the solar system on a magic carpet of toilet paper with RASC host Gary Dymond at the helm. (Interactive event)

Observing the Heavens with the RASC

(If clouded out there will be a slide show)
Time: 09:30 to as late as you can stay up! 
Place: Star Base
Come join the RASC members as they once again telescope to the craters of the moon and the wonders of the night sky.

SUNDAY:

Solar Observing (weather permitting) with the RASC 

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Place: Star Base
Join us for a final look at the sun spots and surface granulation (with luck), on the surface of our very own star, old SOL the sun. 
Hosted by members of the RASC
(Telescopic with special filters).

2001 07 26                                                     4:35 p.m.