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Regional Star Parties

Star parties are an important part of the amateur-astronomy scene. Offering dark skies and astronomical fellowship, these events often attract hundreds of enthusiasts. Here is a list of several star parties in and around the Mid-Atlantic area.

 
May through October 2007
 

NOVAC invites serious amateurs from up and down the east coast to join us at what we believe is the premier dark sky site in the East!

The Year Long Star Party is held on new moon weekends for several months throughout the warmer part of the year. This is a “no frills” star party which caters to those who require the very darkest skies to carry out their astronomical observation or imaging program.

Astro-tip: You'll be in the wilderness. Bring everything. http://www.novac.com/spruce/

 
 
Delmarva Stargaze
April 13 - April 17, 2007

 

This year event will be held at Tuckahoe State Park near Queen Anne, MD. The registration fee includes camping fee for the observing area. ALL NIGHT STARGAZER COFFEE, as always, will be free. Sodas and hot dogs will be available at minimal cost. Campers will be permitted to park and set up by their scopes, but there are no hookups or electricity in the observation area. http://www.delmarvastargazers.org/archive/sg2007/index.html

Astro-Tip: This star party has great food. The crab chowder is wonderful.


NORTHEAST ASTRONOMY FORUM & TELESCOPE SHOW
April 28 - April 29, 2007



Cherry Springs Star Party
May 17 - 20, 2007

The Astronomical Society of Harrisburg will host the Cherry Springs Star Party or CSSP to be held the 17, 18, 19, and 20, of May 2007 at Cherry Springs State Park near Coudersport, PA. Cherry Springs State Park is well known for nice dark skies and we hope you'll enjoy them with us at the Cherry Springs Star Party!

Green Bank Starquest
July 4 - 7, 2007  

http://www.greenbankstarquest.org/



The Mason-Dixon Star Party
July 11 - 15, 2007

The York County Astronomical Society will host the Mason-Dixon Star Party at the Shreveport Airport / Footlight Ranch, York County, Pennsylvania. This telescope and star party will be held in one of the more remote areas in southern York County, situated on a very scenic hill. Thus, with weather permitting, there will be dark skies for observing on Friday and Saturday evenings. All events (except evening viewing) will take place rain or shine!

  http://masondixonstarparty.org/


Stellafane
August 10 & 11, 2007
 
 
 
 
 
 
While not exactly a Mid-Atlantic SP, no list would be complete with out it. Stellafane, Latin for "Shrine to the Stars", is the name of the clubhouse of the Springfield Telescope Makers on Breezy Hill in Springfield, VT. Built in 1923 by Russell Porter and the founding members of the Springfield Telescope Makers, Stellafane was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1989. Due to it's unique color and the fact that the name Stellafane has come to be know as the amateur telescope making convention held every summer at Breezy Hill, the home of the Springfield Telescope Makers is also affectionately referred to as The Pink Clubhouse. http://www.stellafane.com/
 
 

Almost Heaven Star Party
August 9 - 12, 2007 

The Almost Heaven Star Party will be held August 9 -12, 2007 at the Mountain Institute in Spruce Knob, WV. This is a joint venture of NOVAC and the Virginia Outdoor Lighting Taskforce and all proceeds will be used to fight light pollution. Spruce Knob is one of the premier dark sky sites in the East! The Mountain Institute provides an outstanding observing location as well as civilized amenities like hot showers, meal service and internet access.

Registration is available on-line and there will be no on-site registration. http://www.AHSP.org


Big Meadows Star Gaze
September 7 & 8, 2007    
 
The Rappahannock Astronomy Club is hosting a star party located at Big Meadows in Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.  The BMSG is an informal star party for amateur astronomers to enjoy great viewing and make new friends.  http://www.raclub.org/events.html#star_parties  


The Black Forest Star Party
Sept. 14 - 16, 2007
 
 
 
 
The Central Pennsylvania Observers will host this star party. People are encouraged to come along to listen to speakers and take a look through the telescopes of star enthusiasts. Pre-registration is limited and there is no registration at the event. http://bfsp.org
 
 


The Annual NOVAC Star Gaze/VAAS 2007
October 6, 2007

 


NOVAC invites you to the largest public star gaze in the Washington DC area. This year NOVAC will also host the Virginia Association of Astronomical Societies annual meeting. Learn about astronomy while enjoying the night sky with hundreds of telescopes, binoculars and homemade projects. Many experienced astronomers will be on hand to answer questions and share their knowledge. Easy access, lots of equipment and a dark sky make for a good night under the stars.

Please join us!

Astro-tip: Arrive early and stay late.
 

 
The Delmarva "No Frills" Star Party
September, 2007 TBA

 

This year event will be held at Tuckahoe State Park near Queen Anne, MD. The registration fee includes camping fee for the observing area. ALL NIGHT STARGAZER COFFEE, as always, will be free. Sodas and hot dogs will be available at minimal cost. Campers will be permitted to park and set up by their scopes, but there are no hookups or electricity in the observation area. http://www.delmarvastargazers.org/

The Oil Region Astronomical Society ASTROBLAST
TBA
 
 
ASTROBLAST is an annual event, first held in June 1994, by the Oil Region Astronomical Society. Our organization is blessed with a remote "dark sky" site located far from the light pollution of large urban areas. The event is held in a large field surrounding our observatory in the Lockwood Campground at Venango County's Two Mile Run Park, near Franklin, Pennsylvania. http://www.oras.org/
 
 

Blackwater Falls Astronomy Weekend
TBA
 
 
 
 
Held in West Virginia, KVAS co-sponsors the Blackwater Falls Astronomy Weekend with Blackwater Falls State Park each fall. A Friday night star party kicks off the weekend and is followed by classes and round table discussions on such topics as Astronomy Myths, Astrophotography, Radio Astronomy, Telescope Basics, etc. A Keynote Speaker kicks off the Saturday night activities with drawings for door prizes to follow. A "Star Party" is always planned where, weather permitting, telescopes of all sizes and types, factory and home made, are set up for public viewing. A Flea Market for bartering astronomical paraphernalia is also held.
http://www.kvas.org/
 
 

Stella Della
TBA
 
 
 
 
 
Stella Della Valley offers you a chance to gather with astronomers and families under some of the most pleasant dark skies in Eastern Pennsylvania, at Camp Onas in Ottsville, PA. http://bmaa.freeyellow.com/Sdv.html
 


Mid-Atlantic Star Party
TBA

 

 


MASP is located in the "Dark Park" South of Robbins, NC. This is about halfway between Raleigh and Charlotte and halfway between Winston-Salem and Fayetteville. The skies at the site are about as dark as they can get in the Eastern US. The location affords views of many deep-sky objects including the Milky Way, some of the southern sky objects. good planetary views as well as great observing of galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters.
http://www.masp.org/

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