Nova East Star Party August 22-24, 2025 Smileys Provincial Park  Brooklyn, NS

Atlantic Canada's Longest-Running Star Party

Organized by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, Halifax Centre.

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At the 2024 Nova East (the first one held at Blomidon Prov. Park in recent history), we had a great weekend looking up! What will 2025 look like? Join us!

Watch a time-lapse of the telescope field from Nova East 2024 Sunday night proved to be a great night for viewing the Aurora Borealis.

Nova East was originally established as the camping and observing weekend for the RASC Halifax Centre and has grown to include participants from many other astronomy clubs in the Atlantic region, and a number of attendees from the northeastern United States. All participants come to enjoy dark skies in a sociable setting. A limiting magnitude of +6 is the norm. Nova East occurs on a weekend near the new Moon phase towards the end of summer.

Nova East registrants have access to all events, including all talks, workshops, and presentations, three nights of observing (weather permitting!), the astronomers' lounge and breakfasts, and the door prizes draw. When attending the talks, bring a folding chair for comfort. Nova East registrants have onsite parking (if camping) or adjacent site parking (if not camping).

Cancellation Policy: Should Nova East need to be cancelled (severe weather, health emergency, etc.), registration and camping fees will be refunded:

1. If payment sent via e-transfer, you will be refunded via cheque by our Treasurer.
2. If payment was mailed in with a cheque or money order, the payment will be withheld until Nova East. The Registrar will contact you to determine the refund method.

NOTE: If NE is cancelled, you will receive your prepaid T-shirt. Sorry, there are no refunds for T-shirts.

Special Features of the 2025 Nova East.

Photography at Nova East
Throughout the weekend during Nova East, pictures and video will be taken as means of recording events. By registering for Nova East, you have agreed that RASC Halifax Centre may use your voice, likeness and/or photograph for inclusion in the Nova East Star Party website and for use in communications to advertise the Star Party.

Quiet Hours:
Registrants will be asked to respect a quiet time on Friday and Saturday nights from 1:00 AM to 8:00 AM.

Nova East Etiquette
To make Nova East an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone, we would appreciate your co-operation in following the Nova East Star Party Nova East Etiquette.

Public Observing:
Because of health and safety concerns, members will identify which scopes are available for public viewing this year.  We will be notifying registrants and Park staff should this change.

Accommodations:
For information about facilities at Smileys Provincial Park and nearby hotels and amenities, visit Accommodations

Nova East 2025 - a Sneak Peek

Sunrise, Sunset, and the Moon in between.

To assist you in planning your astronomical observations, we have provided the times of sunrise and sunset as a guide.