8 replies to this topic

[Daniel Guzas]

After 5 years now of the Rockland Astronomy Club Summer Star Party being canceled I’m really looking for some sort of replacement that would be a good fit. Not only for my now 9 year old daughter, but my wife as well who is not really into astronomy but loved the week off the “grid” so to speak.

 

What made the RAC SSP so perfect was:

 

1. It was in the summer (During school vacation) so available to school age children.

2. It was at an RV campground where there were amenities like showers, toilets, playground pool and a snack shop etc.

3. It was for a whole week making it worth the trip to have a chance of clear weather.

4. It had power available on the field for either charging or actually running equipment.

5. It was in a convenient area with nearby attractions and restaurants to keep the family engaged during the day.

6. It was chill enough to allow kids to participate but still appropriately strict about night time etiquette.

 

Now I know I’ll never probably be able to tick off all the boxes above but at bare minimum I would love to find a replacement event or place that would be no more than a day drive from New Hampshire, takes place during the summer school vacation time, be longer than 3 days, and be at a place with proper showers and toilet facilities. Oh and of course be open to families.

 

Have any of you attended one that would fit the bill? I have scoured the internet and one that almost worked was the “Almost Heaven Star Party”. But unfortunately that’s like a 12 hour car drive. I am hoping there is something closer. And I also considered Cherry Springs Star party, but unfortunately it was too early in the summer for school to be out and lacked “facilities”  
 

Am I outta luck? I surely was spoiled with the SSP and miss it sorely!

 

Anyone have been to one that may be similar?

[MikeTahtib]

I wish!!  The RAC SSP was the first time I ever got to a dark site, and I continued to go for a number of years.  I have such good memories of it.  A young man who would show up without a telescope but who had such an encyclopedic knowledge fo the sky, it was great having him around to help find cool objects to observe.  A guy with a 24" scope who shared spectacular views, and who helped me understand some of the finer points of collimation.  He also convinced me (although he wasn't trying) to send my mirror to Mike Lockwood for refiguring, which was an excellent move.  I also enjoyed the real showers and bathrooms at RAC SSP, and the close proximity to my home, which allowed me to get there in a few hours, and pick and choose the best days to go.  I still go to Peppermint Park when the weather and my schedule allow, they will let you set up a telescope on the big field if there aren't any scheduled activities.

 

I've been all over the country in the past few years to various star parties.  Every party is different, each has its pros and cons.  

 

Okie Tex has good facilities, good skies.  When I was there, smoke from wildfires  hindered the skies from being as absolutely spectacular as they could have been. Still, the skies were excellent for most/all of the trip, at least as good as what I see at Acadia in Maine.  People who had been often said skies were a bit off that year, and were usually better.  I'm going again this year, hoping to get at least excellent skies, with the potential for outstanding. 

 

I went to a couple of the Cherry Springs star parties,  good but very crowded.  

 

The West Virginia star party had teh best facilities of any party I've been to, and very friendly. Although I didn't sign up for the meal plan, the food looked exceptional.  When the skies were good, they were very good.  Fog rolled in early most nights, though; some nights were cloudy throughout.  People didn't seem to mind.  One person told me this was not unusual for the area at that time of year, but they liked to have it early so kids could come with their families before school started.  Many people were Novac members who observed at the site throughout the year

 

There is a famous star party in Vermont (Stellafane?) that sounded promising, but I've read that the drive there is treacherous,  with cars getting stuck in mud, so have never gone.  I do wonder if the report I read was exaggerated, if ti really is that bad or not.  It sounded like once you got there, it was a pretty good event.  I'd like to hear what others who have been ot this one have to say.

 

I went to Nebraska Star Party last year.  It was good, friendly people, the night with the best skies had a real party atmosphere along "Dob Row," where people who had big dobs who liked to share views set up, and you could walk around looking through all kinds of telescopes.  The area was huge, crowding was not a problem, you could be far from anyone, or set up near people you know.  Not much in the way of facilities, though.  Many people rent a room at a hotel about a half hour drive away.  There were also ferocious thunder storms some nights.  Regulars told me that it is typical to have a couple nights of storms and a couple spectacular nights.   

Edited by MikeTahtib, 13 July 2024 - 07:29 AM.

[Knasal]

About 7 years ago, me and some buddies attending the now defunct EPOCH 2007 Star Party in NW Indiana took some time to drive to this star party to visit the event and check out the facilities. 
 

While it’s just a little outside your driving distance, perhaps it fits? The Full Event runs Tuesday-Sunday.

 

https://indianastars.com/starparty/

 

Kevin

Edited by Knasal, 13 July 2024 - 03:37 PM.

[Joe F Gafford]

The Rocky Mountain Star Stare (RMSS) is a family friendly star party held in June by the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society, (CSAS). It has kids activities during the day such as paper rockets, ice cream making using liquid nitrogen and other things. 

http://rmss.org/

 

Joe

[Alex McConahay]

Nightfall checks the boxes well enough. 

 

But it is on the west coast in Borrego Springs, California (a community recognized by the International Dark Sky Association).

 

Also at an RV/Hotel resort (hotel, rv spots, pools, restaurant, electricity at observing spots, separate imaging area). 

 

Meets all the list of six things in the original post except time of year.  

 

It tends to be late the new moon near late October/early November. It is listed generally for three days. However, many people come early and stay late. 

 

https://nightfallstarparty.com/

 

Alex

[Daniel Guzas]

Boy do I love this forum! You all never cease to amaze me with all your thoughtful and thorough information!

 

Seems that I am not alone in really missing the RAC SSP. You have given me a lot to digest and I look forward to hopefully popping up at one of these with the family.

 

If I am being honest the loss of RAC SSP has really dampened my time under the stars. It kind kicked started me each year to build up to going and kept my interest front and center knowing I couldn’t wait till next year to see “Everyone” again. But change is inevitable, pandemic or not but I still HATE it!

 

I’m thankful for jumping back on CN to try and re-spark my interest in the hobby. And selfishly hoping a little bit rubs off on my daughter. I’m making progress. Just tonight sat out in the driveway under the stars for about 2 hours (daughter sat for 30 mins before getting too sleepy). Was gonna drag out the big Dob, but thought the better of it. First time in over a year. Baby steps but I’ll get back at.

[Dave Mitsky]

There is a famous star party in Vermont (Stellafane?) that sounded promising, but I've read that the drive there is treacherous,  with cars getting stuck in mud, so have never gone.  I do wonder if the report I read was exaggerated, if ti really is that bad or not.  It sounded like once you got there, it was a pretty good event.  I'd like to hear what others who have been ot this one have to say.

I've attended over 25 Stellafane Conventions and have very rarely encountered conditions like that.  However, Stellafane is an amateur telescope making convention, not a star party, although plenty of observing takes place.  The site is very hilly in places and the camping is primitive.  I've only camped there once and, of course, that was a year with plenty of "Stellarain".  The other times I stayed at nearby motels or bed and breakfasts.

I've been to over 20 different star parties and astronomy conventions over the years and there is nothing else quite like Stellafane. The place exudes the history of American amateur astronomy.

[Dave Mitsky]

Here's a link to the Stellafane website.

 

https://stellafane.org/

BTW, I attended the RAC Summer Star Party twice years ago after going to Stellafane and had a good time there.

[Dave Mitsky]

The photos that I took on Friday of last's year historic Stellafane can be seen at https://www.cloudyni...3#entry12967959

 

There's an article on last year's convention at https://www.astronom...ates-100-years/