34 replies to this topic

[Diana N]

Please join us in the inky dark Sand Hills of Nebraska this July for the 32nd annual Nebraska Star Party!  The party begins on July 20, and ends on July 25. Online registration is now open, and you can find plenty of additional information about the star party here: https://www.nebraskastarparty.org/

We hope to see you there!

 

[chvvkumar]

Registered!

[harpo80]

Me too!  Hoping registering early makes it get here faster.

[City Kid]

The design for the t-shirt looks very cool.

[chvvkumar]

The design for the t-shirt looks very cool.

Where did you see the design? I am trying tio find it but haven't seen it anywhere.

[Diana N]

Where did you see the design? I am trying tio find it but haven't seen it anywhere.

It's on the printed brochure.

[chvvkumar]

It's on the printed brochure.

Got the brochure yesterday and I see it and yes I agree, it looks pretty cool!

[Deep13]

Okay, I have to ask. Has the light on that tower returned to its inoffensive dim red, or is it still a dazzling white flash every three seconds?

[Starlancer]

I plan on attending again, this will be the fifth year for me.  Hope it's not as hot and the white beacon is gone.

[Diana N]

Okay, I have to ask. Has the light on that tower returned to its inoffensive dim red, or is it still a dazzling white flash every three seconds?

We don't know right now, as this isn't a great time to be out in the Sand Hills.  But we have months before the star party, so fingers crossed the light will be working normally when it's star party time!

[Bob W4]

My built in law of averages DNA tells me the 2025 NSP has to be better than last year's trifecta of terror.  No way can it be as hot.  No way can it be as windy.  And no way can the radio tower light not be fixed.  My fingers are crossed.

[chvvkumar]

Found this on the NSP Facebook page about the strobe light https://www.facebook...RbhqWl/?app=fbl

[Bob W4]

I was looking through the NSP brochure that I recieved in the mail, and noticed a possible error.  The brochure says the primitive camping fee for the observing field is $15/night.  Last year I paid my fee directly to the campground hosts and they charged me only $10/night.  The host couple told me it is $15 if you camp at one of the established lakeside sights that include a picnic table and fire ring.  However, since the observing field camping is extra primitive with no table and a ban on campfires, the fee is only $10/night.  So, if you pay your camping fee via the iron ranger, be sure to specify "Star Party Camping" on the payment envelope.

Edited by Bob W4, 28 February 2025 - 01:48 PM.

[Sean13]

I've lived 2 hours away my entire life and this will be my first year making it up there during NSP. 

[City Kid]

I've lived 2 hours away my entire life and this will be my first year making it up there during NSP. 

That drive up 97 from North Platte to Merritt is one of my favorite drives in the U.S.

[bunyon]

I did that drive leaving last year and was blown away. Such an amazing drive.

[Diana N]

I've lived 2 hours away my entire life and this will be my first year making it up there during NSP. 

We hope you enjoy it!

[Bob W4]

That drive up 97 from North Platte to Merritt is one of my favorite drives in the U.S.

I've heard it is a gorgeous drive.  I have been telling myself to do this "scenic route" as opposed to the straight east/west hwy 20 route from my place in Iowa.  The scenic route would also be a great excuse to stop at the SAC museum (Strategic Air Command) just off of I-80 near Ashland, Nebraska on my way home.  The SAC museum is a world class destination for any Air Force aviation buff.

Edited by Bob W4, 06 March 2025 - 05:08 PM.

[kfiscus]

Me too!  Hoping registering early makes it get here faster.

It doesn't work that way- sorry.

 

I think this will be the earliest it's been in the decade-plus that I've been going.  Mid-July means Sagittarius will be visible for much more of the night!  (And no booking squeeze in Valentine from Sturgis attendees.)

Edited by kfiscus, 20 March 2025 - 09:47 PM.

[harpo80]

It doesn't work that way- sorry.

 

I think this will be the earliest it's been in the decade-plus that I've been going.  Mid-July means Sagittarius will be visible for much more of the night!  (And no booking squeeze in Valentine from Sturgis attendees.)

True - calendars being what they are...  Look forward to seeing you there again.

[Starlancer]

I've heard it is a gorgeous drive.  I have been telling myself to do this "scenic route" as opposed to the straight east/west hwy 20 route from my place in Iowa.  The scenic route would also be a great excuse to stop at the SAC museum (Strategic Air Command) just off of I-80 near Ashland, Nebraska on my way home.  The SAC museum is a world class destination for any Air Force aviation buff.

Indeed, I've stopped at the SAC museum a couple of times, great place to visit!

[rjacks]

Hey experienced NSPers: I have several basic questions about NSP.

 

1) Is there a place to charge your battery-operated equipment during the day (assuming you aren't bringing a generator)? I'm talking Nexus II, PiFinder, tablet.

 

2) How comfortable/miserable is camping in the treeless primitive Snake Campground? I don't have an RV, I will be sleeping in a tent or my minivan.

 

3) Is there a swimming area at the Snake Campground? 

 

4) Do you leave your dobs setup on most days except when extreme weather is predicted?

 

5) If you are a long-time NSP participant, do you have an estimate of the average number of good observing nights? I know how variable this is.

 

Thanks for any answers to the above. 

[Starhunter249]

I attended the NSP last year for the first time. Here is what I can tell you from my experience there.

 

Answers to Questions:

 

1. No electrical on the observing fields to charge your batteries. I brought a solar panel just in case I had to recharge my batteries. I stayed in a hotel in Valentine and recharged my batteries there. Never used the solar panel.

 

2. It can get very hot on the field and extremely windy. I tried to set up a tent on my first day there but couldn't get the tent up due to the 40 mph plus wind gusts. I did get the tent up the following day. I slept in the hotel in valentine just because I didn't want to be miserable in the heat. I would get back to the observing field in the late afternoon and it can be pretty hot in the tent. I think next time I will sleep there in my mini-van under a shaded canopy. It's pretty dry there, so if you make your own shade it isn't so bad.

 

3. I didn't go swimming but I am almost 100 percent you can. I know you can boat and kayak there and they have plenty of beaches.

 

4. I did not leave my Dobsonian telescope on the field. I took it back with me in the car. Some people left their telescopes covered up. I wasn't risking it with the wind there. I did not hear from anyone who had problems with leaving equipment out there. The big dobs that were set up on Dob row were disassembled before they retired for the night. They stored them in trailers for the most part.

 

5. Last year, every night was mostly or completely clear. Got lucky on that. However clouds did roll through during some nights and put the observing on hold, but after an hour, the skies were clear again. Weather happens fast here. One night we had some faint auroras to the north.

 

I plan to go back again next year in 2026. It's was totally worth the trip. I enjoyed meeting a lot of people. Everyone was friendly and helpful. The scenery of the whole area is spectacular. Views from the road driving to and from valentine were memorable. The drive up route 97 from Mullen Nebraska was eye popping. They only thing that really sucked bad was the tower light beacon. It was flashing brilliant white light nearly every evening and destroyed your ability to get your eyes dark adapted. We only had one night where US cellular fixed the light. It's supposed flash red. Hopefully in 2025, that isn't a problem anymore.

Edited by Starhunter249, 11 April 2025 - 10:58 AM.

[Keith Rivich]

I attended the NSP last year for the first time. Here is what I can tell you from my experience there.

 

Answers to Questions:

 

1. No electrical on the observing fields to charge your batteries. I brought a solar panel just in case I had to recharge my batteries. I stayed in a hotel in Valentine and recharged my batteries there. Never used the solar panel.

 

2. It can get very hot on the field and extremely windy. I tried to set up a tent on my first day there but couldn't get the tent up due to the 40 mph plus wind gusts. I did get the tent up the following day. I slept in the hotel in valentine just because I didn't want to be miserable in the heat. I would get back to the observing field in the late afternoon and it can be pretty hot in the tent. I think next time I will sleep there in my mini-van under a shaded canopy. It's pretty dry there, so if you make your own shade it isn't so bad.

 

3. I didn't go swimming but I am almost 100 percent you can. I know you can boat and kayak there and they have plenty of beaches.

 

4. I did not leave my Dobsonian telescope on the field. I took it back with me in the car. Some people left their telescopes covered up. I wasn't risking it with the wind there. I did not hear from anyone who had problems with leaving equipment out there. The big dobs that were set up on Dob row were disassembled before they retired for the night. They stored them in trailers for the most part.

 

5. Last year, every night was mostly or completely clear. Got lucky on that. However clouds did roll through during some nights and put the observing on hold, but after an hour, the skies were clear again. Weather happens fast here. One night we had some faint auroras to the north.

 

I plan to go back again next year in 2026. It's was totally worth the trip. I enjoyed meeting a lot of people. Everyone was friendly and helpful. The scenery of the whole area is spectacular. Views from the road driving to and from valentine were memorable. The drive up route 97 from Mullen Nebraska was eye popping. They only thing that really sucked bad was the tower light beacon. It was flashing brilliant white light nearly every evening and destroyed your ability to get your eyes dark adapted. We only had one night where US cellular fixed the light. It's supposed flash red. Hopefully in 2025, that isn't a problem anymore.

I know you had a great trip but this sounds awful for a major star party. This is why I choose TSP for my once a year major star party. Walking distance to the rooms. Showers, heat and air-conditioning. Real beds! Food. Electricity on the field. Scope stays assembled the entire week. No blinking lights. Except for the darned glow to the north from the Permian Basin oil fields its still a great place to observe.

 

When I retire I want to visit all the major star parties and get some first hand experience. I didn't mind tent camping 30 years ago but I am not keen on it now. I like observing till whenever and still getting 5 to 7 hours of blissful sleep!

[bunyon]

The sky at NSP (when the tower is red and probably when it is white) is better than current tsp. I left my dob set up. I thought the wind similar to that experienced at tsp. It’s very hot in the day and I did take a room in valentine. I slept on site until mid morning and then went to town for a few hours. I’ve tent camped in the sun at tsp and it’s also pretty uncomfortable at times.

I get what you’re saying. There are no bunk rooms at NSP and not much shade. If I went again I’d try to camp down by the water in the shade.