Star Party On!

star party graphicFrom the Pacific to the Atlantic, people will be gathering across America throughout 2013 to share the wonders of the night sky. Some of these “star parties” involve a single evening of viewing objects through a telescope, and others encompass several nights of telescope viewing as well as daytime activities. Use the contact information here to get as much information as possible before you attend. Be sure to find out if the event is geared toward beginners, experts, or both — and if there are activities for children, and what meals and lodging are available. Most of all, have fun!

See also: McDonald Observatory On-site Programs

If you want to add your event to this list, please send your information using "Star Party listing request" on our Contact Form.

West

Texas Star Party
Fort Davis, Texas
May 5-12

Riverside Telescope Makers Conference
Big Bear City, California
May 22-27

Grand Canyon Star Party, North Rim
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
June 8-15

Stars Over Yellowstone
Madison Campground, Yellowstone National Park
Second weekend of June, July and August 

Southern California Astronomy Expo
San Diego
July 13

Golden State Star Party
Adin, California
July 6-10

Rocky Mountain Star Stare
Gardner, Colorado
June 5-9

Table Mountain Star Party
2013 Location TBD
August 8-10
Weblog

South Dakota Star Party
2013 location and date TBD

Brothers Star Party for Oregon Observatory
Bend, Oregon
September 4-8
Facebook page

Julian Starfest
Julian, California
August 9-11
[email protected]
Facebook page

Idaho Star Party
Mountain Home, Idaho
2013 dates TBD

Oregon Star Party
Prineville, Oregon
August 7-10
Facebook page

Pacific Astronomy and Telescope Show
Pasadena, California
Autumn 2013 (Dates TBD)
Facebook page

Enchanted Skies Star Party
Socorro, New Mexico
October 2-5

Carlsbad Caverns National Park
New Mexico
Various summer/fall dates in 2013
575-785-3165

Eldorado Star Party
Eldorado, Texas
October 28-November 3

Night Under the Stars
Alamo Lake State Park, Arizona
2013 Date TBD

 

Central/East

Mid-South Star Gaze
French Camp, Mississippi
April 10-13
662-547-6482

Tennessee Spring Star Party
Spencer, Tennessee
Fall Creek Falls State Park
May 10-13

Northeast Astronomy Forum
Suffern, New York
April 20-21

Gordon's Park on Manitoulin Island
Lake Huron, Ontario 
Various spring/summer 2013 dates

Two Rivers Spring Star Party
Barry, Illinois
May 9-12

Sky Meadows State Park
Paris, Virginia
One Saturday a month
540-592-3556

Wisconsin Observers Weekend
Hartman Creek State Park, Waupaca, Wisconsin
June 6-9

Cherry Springs Star Party
Cherry Springs State Park, Galeton, Pennsylvania
June 6-9

Green Bank Star Quest
Green Bank, West Virginia
July 10-13

Mason Dixon Star Party
York, Pennsylvania
July 10-14

Stellafane Convention
Springfield, Vermont
August 8-11

Nebraska Star Party
Valentine, Nebraska
2013 Dates TBD

Northwoods StarFest
Fall Creek, Wisconsin
Hobbs Observatory, Beaver Creek Reserve
2013 Dates TBD
715-877-2787

Connecticut River Valley Astronomers Conjunction
Northfield, Massachusetts
July 12-13
* This is the final year for this event

Savoy Star Party
Savoy, Massachusetts
Shady Pines Campground
August 2-11

Almost Heaven Star Party
Spruce Knob, West Virginia
September 6-10

Black Forest Star Party
Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
2013 Dates TBD

Prairie Skies Star Party
Bourbonnais, Illinois
2013 Dates TBD
708-481-7970

Great Lakes Star Gaze
Gladwin, Michigan
September 5-8

Okie-Tex Star Party
Kenton, Oklahoma
September 28-October 6

Peach State Star Gaze
Atlanta
2013 Dates TBD

Twin Lakes Star Party
Dawson Springs, Kentucky
Pennyrile Forest State Park
2013 Dates TBD

Deep South Regional Star Gaze
Norwood, Louisiana
2013 Dates TBD

CSPG Fall Star Party
Chiefland, Florida
November 1-3

Orange Blossom Special International Star Party
Dade City, Florida
Withlacoochee River Park
January 29-February 2, 2014

 

 

FacebookTwitterYouTube

©2013 The University of Texas McDonald Observatory