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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 2008
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 2 - April 6, 2008
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/sg2008/index.html
Astro-Tip: This star party has great food. The crab
chowder is wonderful.
NORTHEAST ASTRONOMY FORUM & TELESCOPE SHOW
April 26 - 28, 2008
 Cherry Springs Star Party
May 29 - June 2, 2008
The Astronomical Society of Harrisburg will host the Cherry Springs Star Party or CSSP to be held 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!
 The Mason-Dixon Star Party
July 30 - August 3, 2008
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
July 31 - August 2, 2008
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
July 31 - August 3, 2008
The Almost Heaven Star Party will be held 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 27 & 28, 2008
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. 5 - 7, 2008
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
October 4, 2008
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
September 23 - 28, 2008
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
October 24 & 25, 2008
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
October 24 - 26, 2008
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
October 27 - November 2, 2008
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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