Star Parties

There are also a few large regional star parties in the Northwest and beyond:

Spring “OAS” Camp Delany Star Party April 19th - 22nd, 2007 - Camp Delaney is a wonderful star party that is sponsored by the “Olympic Astronomical Society”. It is held at the Sun Lakes Environmental Learning Center - North of Ephrata (509-632-9977). Its success is due to teamwork from all those attending.

Oregon Star Party (OSP)  Aug. 16th - 19th, 2007 in the Ochoco National Forest east of Burns.

Mt. Kobau Star Party (BC) Dusk August 11th until dawn August 19th, 2007. Mt. Kobau has a reputation as a star party for serious observers. That doesn’t mean "no fun allowed." Nor does it mean you have to be a grizzled sky-veteran to enjoy the experience. The fresh enthusiasm of a fired-up beginner fits right in. Just give proper consideration to the trials Kobau may put you through… and when you come, come prepared!

The drive to Mt. Kobau is a little like the long journey of starlight to the Earth: smooth sailing until that last small fraction of the distance! The bumpy, dusty road to the summit is only 20 km (12 miles), and any kind of family car IN REASONABLY GOOD REPAIR can make it, but you are advised to go slowly. The road claims an annual toll of tires and mufflers from the unwary. Expect 30 - 45 minutes for the ascent. The Kobau access point is about 400 km (250 miles) east of Vancouver, on Highway 3. The gate is always open and is marked by a sign labeled Kobau Lookout Forest Road". Look for the turnoff on the north side of the highway at the crest of a hill about 35 km (22 miles) east of Keremeos , or 11 km (7 miles) west of Osoyoos, near the B.C. - U.S.A. border at Oroville, Washington.

While most MKSP regulars prefer to camp on the mountain, some will choose to stay in the nearby resort town of Osoyoos (oh-SOO-yuss). The area is a popular vacation spot, and early reservations are advisable. We can recommend the Westridge Motor Inn, telephone 1-800-977-8711, which is on the extreme west edge of town. It's the closest motel to the Mt. Kobau observing site. There are many other motels close to the always-active Osoyoos Lake, and most have excellent facilities. Further information can be found in the B.C. Accommodations Guide, available through tourist bureaus and travel agents.

Riverside Telescope Makers Conference Astronomy Expo Friday, May 25th, through Monday, May 28th, 2007 (Memorial Day weekend). It will be held at YMCA Camp Oakes, five miles southeast of Big Bear City on State Route 38 at Lake Williams Drive between mileposts 44 and 45. This location is about 50 miles northeast of Riverside in the San Bernardino mountains.

This year's theme is Public Outreach. Special presentations will be made on outreach to the general public, to schools, scout groups, and others. We'll hear from a few of the old pros about how to turn people on to the hobby that we all love.

Our Keynote Speaker, Dr. Alex Filippenko of the University of California, Berkeley, knows a thing or two about spreading enthusiasm for astronomy, and was recognized recently as the recipient of the "Carl Sagan Prize for Science Popularization." His address will focus on "Dark Energy and the Runaway Universe." Filippenko led the team that first determined that the expansion of the universe is accelerating, perhaps due to the cosmic "antigravity" effect. His theories of nonzero vacuum energy density have been the talk of cosmology and astronomy for almost a decade since that discovery.

Filippenko was bitten by the astronomy bug early and has a lot to say about his passion. He will share some of his discovery experiences-- on both the personal level and on the scale of the universe-- with us Saturday night at the RTMC Astronomy Expo. Perhaps he will share an expanded version of his first astronomical experience when he saw the rings of Saturn and was turned on for life. Who knows what effect our outreach will have years from now?

Table Mt. Regional Star Party July 12th - 14th, 2007 - The Table Mountain Star Party is an annual gathering of people interested in astronomy and its many related topics. Most people attending are amateur astronomers who enjoy the great viewing which the mountain provides, however, anyone with an interest or curiosity is welcome to register and enjoy the experience. Programming is provided for everyone from the seasoned astronomer to the beginning novice. We also provide well organized, fun and educational programming for the student. See Table Mt. Pictures of TMSP 2006.

Texas Star Party (TX) May 13th thru 20th 2007 near Fort Davis, Texas. Founders David Clark, George Ellis, and Don Garland organized the TSP on Prude Ranch in 1982. The TSP is held each year in late April or May. Astronomy clubs from the Southwest Region of the Astronomical League(SWRAL) and individual volunteers help operate the annual astronomy convention. TSP annual population has grown from 535 attendees in 1982 to more than 800 attendees in 1994.

South Pacific Star Party (Aus) 13th - 15th April, 2007. Each year since 1993, the Astronomical Society of New South Wales has hosted the now famous South Pacific Star Party (SPSP), at it's 107 acre (43 hectare) country property Wiruna near Ilford, NSW, between Lithgow and Mudgee about 3 hours west of Sydney, in the Blue Mountains.

The Star Party provides amateurs with the chance to meet other amateur and professional astronomers, and observe under dark skies with superb seeing conditions, through all types and sizes of telescopes.

Winter Star Party (FL) February 4th - 10th, 2008. Established in 1984, the Annual WINTER STAR PARTY is held in the Florida Keys, hosted by the SOUTHERN CROSS ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY, INC. of Miami, Florida. In the dark of the Moon, from around the world about 600 astronomers migrate each year to the warm subtropics to enjoy 180- degrees of clear, steady night skies--exchange information and advice--meet our SCAS members, vendors and distinguished speakers--participate in photo contests & workshops--go sightseeing--observe in superb equipment--and record the awesome beauty sparkling in the southern skies.