If you missed out on summer camp as a kid, as I did, it’s not too late. But this time, you don’t have to rough it.
For the last few years, I’ve attended various star parties during the summer. These are gatherings of enthusiastic amateur astronomers (not all of whom are Geeks) who get together for a few nights during a new moon with telescopes, campers and tents, to look at the stars and share the sky. They typically span 3-5 days.
Daytime is pretty casual with some events for kids, but mostly time to sit back, read, sleep and chat with folks. Most star parties also schedule a professional astronomer or scientist to speak after dinner. Night time is the time to bring out your scope and observe.
While you don’t have to be a member of the local club to attend, you usually have to register ahead of time. As Jimmy Buffet says, its five o’clock somewhere. Likewise, there is a star party somewhere around the country during almost any month. Here are some places to check for events in your area: Astro-Observer, Sky and Telescope Magazine, Yahoo Directory, and the Night Sky Network.
The last few years, I attended the Heartland of America Star Party (HOASP), sponsored by the Astronomical Society of Kansas City. The last event was over Labor Day on Sept 2 to 7, 2010, at the dark sky site owned by ASKC, near Butler, MO. This year, there were over 115 attendees.
One characteristic of all amateur astronomers everywhere, is they like to share what they are seeing. With more than 50 telescopes between us at this event, it was not necessary to bring your own.
We had pretty great viewing for at least one night. For once, everything worked on my telescope and I was able to get great polar alignment and use my computer to control the scope. Between my scope and my neighbor, Charles, we saw more than 30 of the Messier objects in just the one evening.
If you have any Geek blood in you, a star party should be in your future.
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