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For those living in or visiting Maine, Southern Maine Astronomers (SMA) have posted their Star Party schedule. We welcome everyone to attend, from newbies to experts. Our site also posts schedules and information about events across Maine, including those in exceptionally dark skies at recognized Dark Sky Sanctuaries.

 

Keep updated on our website at https://www.southern...stronomers.org/ and our Google Groups, linked from the same site.

 

A few things to note:

• All plans are perfect when first written. Will adjust as needed depending on weather, etc. Keep an eye out for updates on our website and soon to be launched Facebook page.
• Volunteer sign-up forms will be available on our website once events are posted
• Field events like this offer few facilities for formal presentations, so any talks will be informal and interactive. The value in these events is the in-person and hands-on interaction.
• We've tried to incorporate partnerships with other groups where possible to encourage broader participation
• Volunteers will arrive ~1hr prior to scheduled start time to help with setup, newbie questions, etc. unless otherwise noted
• We have a diverse roster of observing equipment from EAA scopes like Seestar and Unistellar, large SCTs, refractors, binos, and a large Dob

May 18, 8pm - Cumberland Fairgrounds, Cumberland, ME - Galaxies and Star Clusters
Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) and Smart Telescopes

 

May TBD - 179 Neptune Drive, Brunswick, ME - SMA Open House
Open house and equipment sale! More details coming soon to our website.

 

June 15, 8pm - Location TBD - Moon and the Summer Skies
Rain Date TBD
Newbie telescope setup, alignment, collimation, etc.

Ask volunteers arrive ~6pm to help with new guest questions, setup

 

July 20, 8pm - Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, ME - Star Clusters
Rain Date July 27
Star hopping - how do I find objects in the night sky?

 

August 24, 8pm - Cumberland Library w/Library Ice Cream Social, Cumberland, ME - Nebulae
Rain Date August 31
More on Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA) and Smart Telescopes
Using filters for observing

 

September 21, 7pm - Bug Light Park, South Portland, ME - Various
Rain Date September 28
Preserving Dark Skies, Astro software for finding objects & telescope control

 

October 05, 6pm - Mitchell Field w/Harpswell Heritage Land Trust, Harpswell, ME - Various

Rain Date October 06

Preserving Dark Skies

 

November 16, 6pm - Eastern Prom, Portland, ME/Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, ME/Bug Light, South Portland, ME (TBD) - Planets are back in the evening sky!
Rain Date November 23
The Planets and how to pick/find observing targets (e.g., Messier and other catalogs, etc.)

 

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May event RESCHEDULED to Sunday, May 19th @ 8pm, Cumberland Fairgrounds. Saturday's a washout between clouds and possible rain, Sunday looks better right now though possibility of some clouds.

 

 

Theme this month is Galaxies and Star Clusters, though the moon at gibbous waxing may force is to rely on the EAA folks for dimmer objects. Nice views of the moon for visual observers though.

 

 

Fortunately, looks like a great turnout for Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA). Those with EAA scopes will provide tours of the smart telescopes, their capabilities, and benefits.

 

 

Observing - visual with large aperture SCT telescopes and bino-viewers, many EAA "smart" telescopes as well.

 

 

Open to all. Hope to you see there.

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SMA are CANCELLING tonight’s star party, 19 May @ 8pm. Unfortunately weather is not cooperating for the event. Heavy fog, mist, and serious cloud cover far to the west and north. Even if there were occasional views, the dew would be so heavy as to make observing difficult on the equipment.

 

Let’s look forward to better skies for June! Currently working on a location near to Portland with some eager partners, so stay tuned..

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SMA Star Party, June 15th @ 8pm (rain date June 29th), Bug Light Park, South Portland, ME

 

Southern Maine Astronomers (SMA) is holding their first in-person Star Party of the season! The theme this month will be the Moon and Summer Skies.

 

There will be many telescopes setup for both visual (looking through an eyepiece) and Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA - look on a phone screen or tablet).

 

Due to the late sunset and astronomical dusk, they welcome newbies or anyone who needs help with telescope setup while there's still evening light. That includes collimation, aligning finder scopes, setting up your mount, and finding objects.

 

Be sure to attend their monthly meeting Thursday, June 6th where they'll show how to use programs like Stellarium to identify and find night sky objects.

Please check SMA's website for details and updates here: https://www.southern...stronomers.org/

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SMA Star Party, July 20th @ 8pm (rain date July 27th), Kettle Cove, Cape Elizabeth, ME

 

Southern Maine Astronomers (SMA) is holding their second in-person Star Party of the season! The theme again this month will be the Moon and Summer Skies. All are welcome. Sunset is at 8:15pm, moonrise shortly thereafter at 8:20pm and near full. However, the sky is unobstructed from the site, offering 360° views. Some of the brighter objects like globular clusters will be good targets.

There will be many telescopes setup for both visual (looking through an eyepiece) and Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA - look on a phone screen or tablet).
They again welcome newbies or anyone who needs help with telescope setup while there's still evening light. That includes collimation, aligning finder scopes, setting up your mount, and finding objects.

Please check SMA's website for details and updates here: https://www.southern...stronomers.org/

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SMA Star Party, August 24th @ 7:30pm (rain date August 31st), Twin Brooks Recreation Fields, Cumberland, ME

 

Welcome to SMA's August Star Party as they partner once again with Cumberland's Prince Memorial Library. This event always has a great turnout since ice cream sundaes are provided!

 

They'll again peek at the summer skies with many nebula and star clusters still in good viewing. Sunset is at 7:29pm as our days grow slowly shorter, with dark skies as the waning moon doesn't rise until 9:55pm. Brighter objects like globular clusters remain good targets. There will be many telescopes set up for both visual (looking through an eyepiece) and Electronically Assisted Astronomy (EAA - look on a phone screen or tablet).

 

For those unfamiliar with Twin Brooks, here's how to find it: https://www.google.c...xmvhr?entry=ttu

 

For more information and to keep up to date with upcoming events, be sure to checkout Southern Maine Astronomers' website at https://www.southern...stronomers.org/.