Sky and Telescope - April 2016 - 36

In addition to ﬁnding yourself among friends (or at
least folks who understand your obsession), you'll also
learn something at star parties, both from the formal
presentations and from just talking to and watching your
fellow amateurs. How do I conquer the Herschel list of
2,500 deep-sky objects with a medium-size telescope?
How do I bring out detail in galaxy pictures? How do I
measure the separations of double stars? Even though
I've been in astronomy for a half century, there's always
something someone can teach me. There is no more
important reason for attending a star party.
OK, star parties are great - for amateur astronomers.
So what about your non-astronomer spouse or kids? For
many of us, the expense of attending a distant major
event means it takes the place of the year's family vacation. But with a little research it's easy to ﬁnd a star party
that will please everybody. If your bunch enjoys natureoriented pursuits like camping, sightseeing, bird watching, or ﬁshing, a star party might actually be better than
heading oﬀ to Disney World. Moreover, larger gatherings
almost invariably feature activities for non-astronomers.

Where Should You Go?
If you're now resolved to try star partying or to try it
again, where might you go? Which star party is right
for you? The section below lists prominent events in the
U.S. to help you decide. Talking with local astronomy

Major Star Parties Across America

April 2016 sky & telescope

FUN FOR ALL AGES If you're eager to attend a star party but
your family is reluctant to join you, check the event's website to
learn what kid-friendly activities or local sightseeing is available.

club members or chatting online will also help. But let's
at least try to narrow the choices.
Thinking most broadly, no matter how dark its skies,
a site east of the Mississippi River will rarely - if ever
- compete with a location in the West, and particularly
in the desert Southwest. That's because of the East's
humidity. Dry skies mean there's less moisture to scatter

Eastern U.S.
1 Stellafane, held near Springﬁeld, Vermont, is the granddaddy of star parties, having
gotten its start the 1920s. The
emphasis is on telescope making, but there's plenty of observing, too. stellafane.org
2 The skies don't get much
darker east of the Mississippi
River than they do at the Almost
Heaven Star Party, held at Spruce
Knob Mountain in West Virginia.
This event features great facilities
and great observing. ahsp.org

S&T: RICHARD TRESCH FIENBERG

WINTER STAR PARTY, FLORIDA KEYS

S&T: J. KELLY BEATTY

Let's Get Together!

Southern U.S.
3 One of the major events for
southern star-partiers is the
Peach State Star Gaze, held at
the Deerlick Astronomy Village
near Augusta, Georgia, well east
of Atlanta. Expansive ﬁelds, great
programs, and dark skies make
up for rather spartan facilities.

atlantaastronomy.org/PSSG
4 The Winter Star Party is a
snowbird's dream. Utilizing a Girl
Scout camp in the Florida Keys,
it provides an escape from the
frigid north each February and
oﬀers a glimpse of the legendary
Southern Cross. Space is limited,
but amenities include (minimalist) bunkhouses, RV spaces, and
plenty of room for tent camping.
scas.org/winter-star-party
Midwestern U.S.
5 It doesn't get much darker
than the Michigan backcountry,
and observing under excellent
skies is the main course at the
Great Lakes Star Gaze, held near
Gladwin, Michigan. The site has
provisions for RVs and camping,
but if that's not your style there
are motel rooms available in the
area. greatlakesstargaze.com
6 The Nebraska Star Party is not

http://www.atlantaastronomy.org/PSSG http://www.stellafane.org http://www.scas.org/winter-star-party http://www.ahsp.org http://www.greatlakesstargaze.com

Sky and Telescope - April 2016

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