A Saskatchewan star party draws amateur astronomers together in wonder

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const gi_content = ` series: true [content] :skip ****** series box ****** :endskip [.slide] type: series [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_001_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_001_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_001_xl.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: true mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 16-9 caption: credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] [] [] [] :skip ****** standalone text ****** :endskip [.slide] type: text [.text] [.+paragraphs] “My mom would often find me up on the roof late at night, star-gazing. I can hear her now … ‘Donna-Lee, it’s time for bed, get your head out of the stars and on your pillow. The moon and stars will be back tomorrow.’” [] [] [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_002_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_002_sm.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_002_sm.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: false mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 2-3 caption: credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] [] [] [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo map: photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_003_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_003_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_003_lg.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: false mobile-aspect-ratio: 3-2 desktop-aspect-ratio: 3-2 caption: credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] Donna-Lee May is one of the attendees of the 28th Saskatchewan Summer Star Party, an annual event held in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park, a Dark Sky Preserve roughly halfway between Regina and Calgary. [] [] [] :skip ****** diptych ****** :endskip [.slide] type: diptych mobile-aspect-ratio: 3-2 desktop-aspect-ratio: 3-2 [.diptych] photo-1-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_004_sm.jpg photo-1-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_004_lg.jpg caption-1: Vince Petriew models his jacket, which bears patches from past star parties. credit-1: audio-1: audio-1-label: audio-1-description: photo-2-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_005_sm.jpg photo-2-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_005_lg.jpg caption-2: credit-2: audio-2: audio-2-label: audio-2-description: [] [.text] [.+paragraphs] For some, astronomy is a solitary hobby, and the highlight of the year is attending star parties, where they gather with other amateur astronomers to share information, listen to speakers and observe various objects in the night sky. [] [] [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/06-LUM-STARPARTY-V_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_006_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_006_xl.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: true mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 16-9 caption: credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] This August, the Saskatchewan star party drew 312 observers, most of whom camped on site. Typically they come from the Prairie provinces, but past visitors have come from as far afield as Germany, England, New Zealand and Australia. [] [] [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/07-LUM-STARPARTY-V_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_007_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_007_lg.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: false mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 3-2 caption: credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] [] [] [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_LICENSES-V.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_LICENSES-H.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_LICENSES-H.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: true mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 16-9 caption: credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] [] [] [] :skip ****** ad unit ****** :endskip [.slide] type: ad [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_011_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_011_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_011_lg.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: false mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 3-2 caption: credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] Excluding the Sun, the closest star to the earth, Proxima Centauri, is about 4.25 light years (or about 40,200,000,000,000 kilometres) away. To examine celestial bodies, observers use equipment ranging from tabletop equipment to large-aperture telescopes that require a ladder to reach the viewing eyepiece. [] [] [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_012_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_012_sm.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_012_sm.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: false mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 2-3 caption: credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] In 2001, one Saskatchewan star-party attendee, Vance Petriew, discovered Comet 185/P, now nicknamed Comet Petriew. [] [] [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_013_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_013_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_013_lg.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: false mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 3-2 caption: credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] Roy Ramdeen has been star-partying since 1990. His interest in the skies was piqued as a teen, when his head was swirling with big questions: “What happens to the sun? Do we move or does the sun move? …. Are we the only people in the universe? Why are we here? What’s beyond when we look up?” Now the Edmontonian is a regular at the SSSP. In addition to star-gazing, he likes checking out the other “’scopes” at the event. “Every year, we share equipment: ‘This is what I bought, what did you bring this year?’” [] [] [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_014_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_014_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_014_lg.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: false mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 2-3 caption: Bruce Kosugi has been attending the Saskatchewan Summer Star Party since 2009. credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] [] [] [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_015_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_015_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_015_lg.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: false mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 2-3 caption: Telescopes are kept under protective covers during daylight hours. credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] [] [] [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_016_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_016_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_016_xl.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: true mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 16-9 caption: credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] “I used to climb out my bedroom window to gaze at the moon,” said May, who is from Saskatoon. “My parents felt it was better that I keep my feet on the ground so they got me my first telescope. I had that for many years.” She now uses a 10-inch German equatorial mount. “I purchased the telescope I use today about 25 years ago. I will never part with this one!” [] [] [] :skip ****** ad unit ****** :endskip [.slide] type: ad [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_017comboV_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_017comboH_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_017comboH_xl.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: true mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 16-9 caption: Wade Williamson examines an eyepiece that fell under the wheels of a vehicle. Judith Sterner shows off her Portaball telescope. credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] Visual observing is popular, but these days astronomers can also be found hunched over digital cameras and computers, using photo software to sharpen their shots. Lessons in astrophotography are among the offerings at the star party, as well as tours of the telescopes and special kids’ workshops. [] [] [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/19-LUM-STARPARTY-V_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_019_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_019_xl.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: true mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 16-9 caption: credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] One attendee gazing keenly at her sky atlas and telescope was Alex Smith, 12, from Calgary. Her grandmother took her to her first SSSP four years ago, when Alex was 8. Asked what she was planning to observe, Alex mentioned that she had a list of constellations she planned to star-hop to. “I love how beautiful and interesting it is,” she said. “Every time you look you might find something different that you didn’t see last time that you looked up in the sky, or you see like a beautiful meteor going through the sky when you happen to be looking up. It’s just wonderful.” [] [] [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_020b_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_020b_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_020_xl.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: true mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 16-9 caption: credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] [] [] [] :skip ****** standalone text ****** :endskip [.slide] type: text [.text] [.+paragraphs] For May, star-gazing “heals.” “You might have a bad day or you’re not feeling the greatest and you can just … point your telescope and all your problems go away. It’s just so relaxing sitting in the solace of everything.” [] [] [] :skip ****** photo ****** :endskip [.slide] type: photo photo-sm: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_024_sm.jpg photo-lg: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_024_lg.jpg photo-xl: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_024_xl.jpg fullscreen-mobile: false fullscreen-desktop: true mobile-aspect-ratio: 2-3 desktop-aspect-ratio: 16-9 caption: credit: audio: audio-label: audio-description: [.text] [.+paragraphs] [] [] [] :skip ****** photographer bio ****** :endskip [.slide] type: bio label: About the photographer photo: https://www.theglobeandmail.com/files/interactive/canada/features/photo-popup/stories/sk-starparty-lum/processed/SK_LUM_023_sm.jpg photo-credit: bio: Fred Lum is a Globe and Mail staff photojournalist based in Toronto. Over four decades with the paper, Fred has covered a huge and diverse range of photo assignments. A shot of Blue Jays outfielder Jose Bautista’s legendary bat flip during the 2015 American League Division Series earned Fred a National Newspaper Award. When he’s not working, Fred can usually be found at his off-grid cabin or volunteering at Gallery 44 Center for Contemporary Photography, an artist-run centre in Toronto. [] :skip ****** credits ****** :endskip [.slide] type: credits [.+credits] Photography and story by Fred Lum Editing by Lisan Jutras Photo editing by Theresa Suzuki Video editing by Patrick Dell Digital presentation by Evan Annett Visuals editing by Solana Cain and Liz Sullivan Interactive design and development by Christopher Manza [] [] [] `; !function(){"use strict";window.addEventListener("message",(function(a){if(void 0!==a.data["datawrapper-height"]){var e=document.querySelectorAll("iframe");for(var t in a.data["datawrapper-height"])for(var r=0;r