A Photographic Celebration of the Night Sky

Announcing A Canada-Wide Astrophotography Contest and Major Celebration May 11 - 16, 2009

As part of its celebrations for the International Year of Astronomy, KW Telescope is hosting a major celebration entitled “A Photographic Celebration of the Night Sky”. This weeklong event runs from May 11 through May 16th, 2009. It features an extensive open house display of astrophotography done by Canadian amateur astronomers, a gala media event, and open house tours for schools, businesses and other groups throughout the week.

This is a non-commercial event intended to promote the hobby of astronomy in general, and astrophotography in particular, to a wide audience.

The Open Houses

Through the week of May 11 to May 16th, 2009 KW Telescope is hosting public and group open houses. This includes tours of the facility with emphasis on viewing the winning photos submitted by astrophotographers across Canada.

Open House invitations are offered specifically to Grade 6 and Grade 9 students in the Kitchener, Waterloo, Guelph and Cambridge areas who have Space studies as part of their science curriculum. Other grades (from 1 and up) are welcome to book tours, too.

Groups and businesses are also invited to book an open house tour. The general public may visit at any time during the week (other than during the Main Event, which is reserved for the media and invited guests).

THERE IS NO CHARGE FOR BOOKED TOURS AND NO ADMISSION FEES TO VIEW THE ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY.

The Main Event

On the evening of Friday May 15th Dr. Brady Johnson, President of KW Telescope, will give a special presentation for the media on the intricate methods used to take photos of astronomical objects. This presentation will be held at the in-store classroom. Afterwards, there will be a meet-and-greet where members of the media can speak to winning entrants of the nation-wide astrophotography contest. The winners will be in attendance or available for interview live via the Internet.

At the end of the evening a number of major prizes will be awarded. These an 80 mm Apochromatic refractor and cash prizes donated by SkyWatcher Telescopes, Celestron Inc., and the New Products Division of KW Telescope.

This is an Event With Broad Appeal

Anyone with even a passing interest in photography or astronomy should visit the The KW Telescope store during the week. The 2200 square foot facility will be decorated through out with magnificent photos of galaxies, star clusters, nebulae and solar system objects.

Detailed Schedule of Events:

Monday May 11 – Saturday May 16, 11 – 7 PM:
Public Open House for viewing winning submissions. School/Group visits scheduled through the week.

Friday May 15th 11 – 5 PM: Public Open House

Friday after 5:00 PM for invited guests only!

6 - 7 PM: “A Photographic Celebration of the Night Sky: Techniques for Astrophotography” (for invited guests and members of the media only).
7 – 9 PM: Meet and Greet for members of the media and winning contestants.

9 PM: Announcement of prize winners.

For additional details please contact Dr. Johnson at KW Telescope (bradyj@kwtelescope.com) or call 519-745-5757.