The 31st Annual Okie-Tex star Party takes place in the incredibly dark skies of the Black Mesa. Join us for 8 days of observing/imaging, swap meets, door prizes, guest speakers and great fun.

Cherry Springs Star Party The 2014 edition of the Cherry Springs Star Party or CSSP will be held at Cherry Springs State Park near Coudersport, PA. Cherry Springs State Park is well known for some of the darkest skies on the East coast and we hope you'll enjoy them with us at the Cherry Springs Star Party! Our 2013 Star Party was filled to capacity and featured talented speakers and good opportunities for observing. The Registration Desk will open at approximately 12 PM on Thursday and at various times throughout the weekend. Visit us also on our Facebook page. We hope to see YOU at the Star Party!

The 8th Annual Bootleg Astronomers Star Party will begin at 10AM on Friday May 30th thru Noon, Sunday, June 1st , at Green River Conservation Area , Harmon Illinois. Come and explore the night skies with us under some of the darkest skies in the State of Illinois. We promise... You will be "WOWED"! Upon your arrival you will receive an informational packet full of goodies, provided by us, including your ticket for our fabulous door prize give-a way. We will provide free coffee, hot chocolate, & tea both nights. Tent & RV camping. Water and sanitary facilities on site. Electricity to charge your batteries/packs is available as well. We will provide several battery chargers for your use. (note, this is a wilderness area). Motels are available in nearby Princeton off I-80. This is a big birding area as well as the Land of Lincoln for daytime excursions . Hunting & fishing as well. Only $25.00 for both nights if you register by May 16th. The price after that date is $40.00. Please visit our website at http://bootlegastronomy.com for our registration form. We will also have T-shirts for sale & as usual this years' shirt will be a visual treat for your eyes designed by Mike Foster! Welcome aboard Matey's ! No one walks the plank at this "Party". And We do mean "Party" ! "Bootleg Astronomers", Pillaging the Universe one Star at a time."

The StarLight Festival is an educational and entertaining event geared towards children, young adults, and families. Held annually, this unique celebration of science and astronomy among an atmosphere of music and art has a mission to proliferate an awareness of and a better understanding of science and astronomy through interactive outreach and hands on experiences.

Come look through Lunt 100/80/60/35 Coronado 90/60/PST see the amazing star and have lunch on us.

The 30th Annual Okie-Tex Star Party invites you to an incredibly dark observing & imaging site. Swap meets, door prizes, guest speakers and great food await you at a friendly, laid back gathering. Web site and registration to open by 3/01/2013. Don't miss it.

The 7th Annual Bootleg Astronomers Star Party will begin at 10AM on Friday June 7th thru Noon, Sunday, June 9th at Green River Conservation Area , Harmon Illinois. Come and explore the night skies with us under some of the darkest skies in the State of Illinois. We promise... You will be "WOWED"! Upon your arrival you will receive an informational packet full of goodies, provided by us, including your ticket for our fabulous door prize give-a way. . We will provide free coffee, hot chocolate, & tea both nights. Tent & RV camping. Water and sanitary facilities on site. Electricity to charge your batteries/packs is available as well. We will provide several battery chargers for your use. (note, this is a wilderness area). Motels are available in nearby Princeton off I-80. This is a big birding area as well as the Land of Lincoln for daytime excursions . Hunting & fishing as well. Come and Celebrate with us at our Spring Star Party. Only $25.00 for one or both nights if you register by May 25th. The price after that date is $40.00. Please visit our website at http://bootlegastronomy.com for our registration form. We will also have T-shirts for sale & as usual this years' shirt will be a visual treat for your eyes designed by Mike Foster! Welcome aboard Matey's ! No one walks the plank at this "Party". And We do mean "Party" ! "Bootleg Astronomers", Pillaging the Universe one Star at a time."

The 2013 edition of the Cherry Springs Star Party or CSSP will be held at Cherry Springs State Park near Coudersport, PA. Cherry Springs State Park is well known for nice dark skies and we hope you'll enjoy them with us at the Cherry Springs Star Party! Our 2012 Star Party was a great success and featured talented speakers and good opportunities for observing. The Registration Desk will open at approximately 12 PM on Thursday and at various times throughout the weekend. We hope to see YOU at the Star Party!

Michiana Star Party Five (2013) At Dr. T. K. Lawless Park in Vandalia, MI The site is approximately 35 miles from South Bend, IN Observing opportunities Special speakers Dark sky Constellation guided tours Vendors Interaction with astronomy enthusiasts Many types of telescopes Camping, hiking trails, outdoor activities Star Party flyer and additional information is available on the Michiana Astronomical Society web site.

Mid-Atlantic Mirror Making Seminar #13 Announcement Delmarva Star Gazers will host the Thirteenth Mid-Atlantic Mirror Making Seminar March 21 through March 24, 2013, at the Mallard Lodge, Smyrna, DE. Mirror makers and other attendees should check into the Lodge before 11:00 AM Thursday, Mar 21. Activities begin at Noon, March 21, 2011. The Lodge will open on Wednesday afternoon, Mar 20, for long distance travelers who wish to stay in the Lodge Wednesday night. The purpose of the Seminar is to introduce proven successful mirror making techniques and practices to those wishing to make their own mirrors. Special emphasis will be placed on successfully figuring the mirror. All mirror-making materials will be furnished and expert mirror makers will be available to guide each person?s activities. We will begin with 6? F-8, 8? F-6, 10? F- 6, and 12.5? F6 mirrors and tools with diamond generated curves; ready for 220 grit. Successful mirror makers will leave the Seminar with a fine-figured mirror ready for aluminizing. They will also have the skills, knowledge and confidence to repeat the process as desired. Although our purpose is to ensure each mirror maker is successful, there is no guarantee of results. Some mirror makers prefer to bring their previously started mirror projects that need some special TLC to turn them into fine optics. We encourage you to bring your project mirrors?up to 13?. Larger mirrors may be OK depending on specifics?but, please be aware that large mirrors may require more time and attention than are available in this environment. Mirror grinding, polishing, figuring and testing assistance will be provided by Steve Swayze, (Swayze Optical), David Groski (several Stellafane 1st Place Optics awards), Dr. Bill Hanagan, DAS, Dick Parker (Stellafane mirror makers) and several experienced mirror makers from Delmarva Star Gazers. Mirror making stations are on a first come, first served basis. Non-mirror makers are encouraged to attend; to watch the process, to learn, to ?get glasspushin? fever?, and to participate in other planned activities Mallard Lodge can comfortably accommodate 25-30 people overnight; sleeping rooms and bunks are dormitory style with common bathroom facilities. We can accommodate ladies and gentlemen due to the multi-room layout. Please be aware this is a NATURE FACILITY, not the Hilton. You will need to bring your own towels, blankets/sleeping bags, pillows, and toiletries. If attendees exceed the bunk capacity there is ample room for air mattresses (we will have a few to lend if necessary). Accommodations are available on a first come, first served basis. All meals will (Thursday thru Sunday) be provided by the Star Gazers. Fact: Delmarva Star Gazers like to eat? so bring your appetite. Registration: all mirror makers and attendees are asked to register by January 15, 2012, to provide sufficient lead-time for ordering supplies. Please note: the mirror and tool fabrication and delivery normally takes 1 or more months from date of order. Full payment must accompany the registration. Since a large percentage of your registration fees are used to order your materials there will be no refunds, but substitutions are O.K. should you become unable to attend. All we ask is that you arrange for someone to take your place and let us know about the switch ? financial arrangements are your responsibility. Come and join us; we look forward to your company. Contact Don Surles, 514 Marilyn Road, Smyrna, DE 19977, phone 302-653-9445, email [email protected], or visit our web site at www.delmarvastargazers.org for additional information.