A hundred or so stargazers were treated to a beautiful sunset in the badlands of the Red Deer River valley on Saturday night.
This was the setting for the annual Alberta Star Party, at a campground north of Drumheller, Alberta, amid the late Cretaceous sediments of the badlands. This is big sky country.
Earlier in the week the night sky was clear and inviting. But this night the clouds served only to provide a fine sunset. They failed to disappear after nightfall. However, on a such a night, a good time is still had by all as everyone enjoys the company of fellow stargazers during the last of the fine weather before star party season ends for another year.
I took this 360° panorama with a handheld camera, and stitched the segments in Adobe Photoshop CS6.
– Alan, September 16, 2012 / © 2012 Alan Dyer
The Amazing Sky 
Great panorama of the star party.This province has so much to offer.
The Red Deer River valley is beautiful at this time of year with the aspens turning colours. Very photogenic. Be sure to explore the various access points – highways that cross the river such as at the star party site on Highway 27.
I really enjoyed looking through the pictures on your site. I just moved to Alberta and am excited to explore, always great to see beautiful pictures of places to add to the “visit” list.