Cloud cover cancels season opening of North Frontenac Star Gazing Pad

Craig Bakay | May 15, 2019

Mother Nature wasn’t very cooperative Saturday night as thick clouds covered the Star Gazing Pad on Road 506 in North Frontenac.

The moon was to be the star attraction for this opening event, but it was barely visible and what you could see was hazy at best.

This summer promises to be a busy one for star gazing organizers, as a star gazing course is in the works (tentatively scheduled for July), as are fundraisers for an observatory to house a telescope received as a gift from the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

However, there are still six star parties planned for this summer.

On June 1, a trek through the Virgo/Coma galaxy cluster is planned. Jupiter should also be visible.

On July 6, summer and circumpolar constellations are scheduled to be the stars and Ganymede should dip behind Jupiter from 11pm to 11:15.

On Aug. 3 and 4, Jupiter and Saturn, along with their moons, are on tap and our own crescent moon in the evening features earthshine.

On Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, it’s star names and their meanings in conjunction with the Islamic New Year, as many stars have Islamic names. Also, Jupiter’s great red spot should be visible all evening on the 31st.

On Oct. 5, the moons of Saturn, Jupiter and Earth take centre stage.

On Oct. 28, the star clusters Pleiades and Hyades as well as the Crab Nebula are the prime attractions.