Share the wonders of the universe...
Nanaimo Dark Site
thanks to the generosity of local entrepreneur, Mike Gogo, of Mike Gogo Cedar Products and Christmas Tree Farm.
Our observer group goes out to the dark site on a regular basis, so if you are a member of our web site, you should
receive email notices when the group goes out.
Individual or smaller groups of members can also go out. If you are going out, we ask as a courtesy that you
email Mike Gogo at mayandmike@shaw.ca letting him know you are coming.
Please respect our donor's property. Pack out your own trash. There is no public washroom on site.
Here ia a map on how to get to the property. The setup point is on the left side, across from the house
on the right and just before additional buildings on the left. Please follow our Dark Site Courtesy Rules below:
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Dark Sky Site
Courtesy Rules
During a stargazing session, your eyes adapt to the darkover time and you see more. White light disrupts this dark adaptation, affecting other stargazers at the dark site and can ruin astrophotography pictures. So when you come to our dark site, please follow these courtesy rules:
- Arrive before dark.
- Drive carefully and slowly on the road.
- If you are a new member visiting the dark site for the first time, talk to our experienced members about how to set up
- Turn off all dome and trunk lights. If a light can't be turned off, pull the fuse or use layered red brake light tape or just duct tape over it.
- When you drive in, position your car so you can drive out directly instead of using your back up lights and so your head lights are pointed away from the observing area..
- Use only dim red flashlights. Never shine a flashlight in someone's face or on their scope.
- Please chip in and do some cleaning up at the observing sites. It is the responsibility of all users to keep the place clean.
- Wear warm clothing. Nights can be cold in the winter and unexpectedly cold in the summer.
- If your scope need power, bring your own power such as a battery and/or an inverter since their is no power available on site.
- Hot drinks in a thermos can help warm at night.
- Remember mosquito repellent. Stargazers make nice, juicy stationary targets!
- When approaching the telescope of someone who does not know you, introduce yourself and ask before looking through the scope. Most members (with the exception of astrophotographers when they are taking pictures) will be happy to share their scopes.
© 2012 Created by Garland Coulson.
