MMM#12 is a weekend of amateur mirror making sponsored by Delmarva Star Gazers. The goal is to complete a finely-figured newtonian primary mirror. Prior experience is not required...we have several experienced and successful mirror makers to guide each participant thru the mirror making process. Come and join us for a great weekend of mirror making activities. See our website (http://www.delmarvastargazers.org/) for details. See you in March! Don...

Indian River State College and the Treasure Coast Astronomical Society will host this FREE open house. There will be telescopes, guest speakers, handouts, mini-planetarium shows, activities for kids, plus guided views of the moon, planets and stars at night, weather permitting

Mid-Atlantic Mirror Making Seminar #11 Delmarva Star Gazers will host the Eleventh Mid-Atlantic Mirror Making Seminar March 11 through March 13, 2011, at the Mallard Lodge, Smyrna, DE. Mirror makers and other attendees should check into the Lodge before 11:00 AM. Activities begin at Noon, March 11, 2011. 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 persons 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 mirrorsup to 13. Larger mirrors may be OK depending on specificsbut, 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 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, 2011, 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 don.surles@verizon.net, or visit our web site at www.delmarvastargazers.org for additional information.

A week long star party at the Chiefland Astronomy Village, under some of the darkest skies in the US. Adam Block will be there for a two day award winning imaging workshop. On site food vendor, big name vendors, imaging contests, awesome door prizes and raffle, and world class speakers. This is a don't miss star party. See you there.

Three Day Sar Party Speakers Vendors Observing and Fun

Three day event with vendors and Speaker Observing

Prairie Skies Star Party 2010 will be held at beautiful Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See 4-H camp, adjacent to Kankakee River State Park, near Bourbonnais Illinois. We place a special emphasis on amateur telescope making, by recognizing outstanding achievement through our ATM Telescope and Accessory Awards. In addition to the usual all night observing; Prairie Skies features an imaging contest, door prizes, a swap market, vendors, catered meals, and a guest speaker or two. Children can participate in their very own age appropriate door prize drawings. Visit the Prairie Dog Stand and enjoy a tasty prairie dog; and don’t miss out on the famous Midnight Chili! As always; complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate will be available in the Dining Hall all day and night throughout the event. Our popular Almost All Night Movie Festival will feature a variety of films in the Dining Hall. Join us for a great time as Prairie Skies Star Party "continues the tradition" at Camp Shaw. The pre-registration deadline is 8-28-10 (prices are higher after the deadline).

UACNJ Three-day Symposium See website for registration & prices. Featuring: Lectures by noted experts in a variety of astronomy topics Hands-on observing sessions guided by UACNJ Observers using UACNJ equipment or your own Demonstrations of solar and radio telescopes Meteorite display Geologist-guided walk exploring the terrain of Jenny Jump State Forest Tours of UACNJ facilities Swap table: Saturday noon-3 PM and 5-8 PM Sunday noon-5 PM Telescope display Saturday and Sunday 12:30-4:00 PM Food will be available for purchase at the UACNJ facility in Jenny Jump State Forest from 11 AM to 7 PM on Saturday and Sunday Star parties, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, weather permitting. All observing is subject to weather conditions. Indoor events will take place rain or shine.

Starfest, now a joint effort between the San Diego Astronomy Association and the town of Julian, will only get bigger and better as the years pass. Last year we saw hundreds of campers and close to 1500 on Saturday evening for the free public star party. Talk about outreach! We hope to do as well this year. Our current vendors/exhibitors will be Celestron with their 50th Anniversary Celebration, Meade Insturments and Vixen Optics. And again this year Oceanside Photo and Telescope will be there offering their show specials and great prices on equipment. Camping at the event is $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for teens. Children 12 and under are free. That's for three nights of camping and admission to the exhibit area and guest speakers! The quaint and historic town of Julian is only two miles away and offers some of the best B&B's in the Southwest as well as fine dining if you aren't into the "Camping" thing. We invite all of our past attendees to return, and everyone else is welcome too. Visit www.julianstarfest.com for more information.

> The 4th Annual Bootleg Astronomers Star Party will begin at 10AM on Friday > June 11th thru Noon, Sunday, June 13th, 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 both nights if you register by Saturday. May 29th. > 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."