36 replies to this topic

[Napp]

The Winter Star Party.  February in the Florida Keys.  Great seeing.  The most southerly celestial objects visible in the continental US.  Anxiously awaiting the arrangements SCAS plans to make after the damage done by Hurricane Irma.

[Starkid2u]

New addition to the list:

If you haven't been to the Staunton River Star Party in southern Virginia, you don't know what you're missing! Only about 5 years old, this star party is without a doubt the most CONVENIENT star party east of the Mississippi! Everything you could want or need is right on site. Everything! It's my new star party of choice and not expensive to attend!

Make it a "bucket list" party to attend in the fall. You won't regret it!

 

STARKID2U

[Starkid2u]

The Winter Star Party.  February in the Florida Keys.  Great seeing.  The most southerly celestial objects visible in the continental US.  Anxiously awaiting the arrangements SCAS plans to make after the damage done by Hurricane Irma.

Would've gone this year but Irma took care of that! Now I'll be awaiting the more permanent solution in the coming years. Sure will miss those palm trees!

 

STARKID2U

[Matt Russell]

#1 - Rocky Mountain Star Stare (RMSS), put on by the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society (CSAS).  I've been going to this star party since 2001 and it has gotten better each year.  If you're interested in a laid-back atmosphere, camping by your equipment, great speakers, DARK skies and awesome mountain surroundings, this one may be for you.  Held on private CSAS land just north of Gardner, CO.  http://rmss.org/

 

#2 - Northwoods Starfest, put on by the Chippewa Valley Astronomical Society.  I haven't been to this star party in quite a few years, but for some reason this one left a big impression on me.  Great people, very nice (and flat) observing area.  https://www.cvastro....woods-starfest/

[mpacuta]

Starfest, Ayton, Ontario, Canada (River Place Park campground) organized by the North York Astronomical Association www.nyaa.ca . Starfest 2019 is from Thursday, August 22 to Sunday, August 25, 2019, though many arrive earlier during the week.

[Andy01]

If your keen to travel south - ie: Australia I can also recommend ...

 

VICSOUTH - jointly run by the Astronomical Societies of South Australia & Victoria at Little Desert Lodge, usually end October/early November.

Lots of Big dobs to look through, large imaging field, good speakers and it's held at at an eco lodge near Nhilll, Vic - super dark skies & nothing around for miles.  

 

Astrofest - similar to VicSouth - big popular event at an eco-style resort in the middle of nowhere 2 hrs north west of Brisbane in Queensland. Amazing skies!

 

Snake Valley - low key & smaller than the one's above, but relaxed, very accomodating & super friendly environment west of Ballarat, Victoria. (21/2 drive hrs from Melbourne).

 

Visitors are always welcome at these events. 

[Alan French]

Sue and I still miss Astrofest. It was always worth the long drive from near Schenectady, NY, especially when they expanded it to three days. 

 

Clear skies, Alan

[darthteddy93]

As an LA local my favorite star party are the ones at Griffith Observatory. It's world famous so there are always thousands of people every night from all over the world. Oh and they take place once a month (before covid19 of course). It's probably the best place to introduce people to astronomy.

The caveat is that it's not open to anyone. You have to be a member of a local org to participate.

Edited by darthteddy93, 23 August 2020 - 01:32 AM.

[Chucky]

((  Sue and I still miss Astrofest.  ))

 

Me too.  Me too.  Easily one of the best.

[Abecedarian]

I have heard about this park a while ago Thebacha & Wood Buffalo Dark Sky Festival

 

2022 Dark Sky Festival
  August 2022 (3rd weekend)
Thebacha & Wood Buffalo Dark Sky Festival

The annual Dark Sky Festival is a celebration of the return of dark skies to our northern latitude (60°N). Festival activities take place in Fort Smith, NWT and the in world's largest Dark Sky Preserve, Wood Buffalo National Park.

At the Dark Sky Festival we do not just look at stars - we try to answer your questions about science through fun and interactive activities.

[Starseeker74]

OkieTex: http://www.okie-tex.com/

I went there one in 2008 and I have been dreaming to go back ever since. 

[LoveChina61]

Everyone has to do the Texas Star Party at least once in their life IMO.

 

There's nothing quite like seeing the giant globular Omega Centauri rising fairly high in the sky and easily visible to the naked eye.

 

I only attended once about 10 years ago. Had my wife and kids along with me so I didn't even bring a scope along. Everyone was very friendly and didn't mind if you walked up to chat for a while and see a few items in the eyepiece. Five clear nights and two more nights that were only half-cloudy.

 

I enjoyed talking at length with Al Naglar (Televue founder). Also spent some time looking through a 32" dob with a group of people that included a guy who had written a book about objects found in the Abell catalogue.

 

Since I am a Meade man myself, my favorite part was hanging out for quite a while at a 16" Meade SCT. Awesome!

 

Mike

Edited by LoveChina61, 20 June 2022 - 11:25 AM.