Astroblast 2008 - Star Party
ASTROBLAST 2008 - STAR PARTY September 23-28, 2008 http://www.oras.org or http://www.oras.org/astrblst.htm SAVE 50% - EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS Monday August 25th!! Astroblast 2008, the annual star party of the Oil Region Astronomical Society in Northwestern Pennsylvania will take place September 23 – 28, 2008. The event will include speakers, featuring world famous amateur astronomer Phil Harrington, and numerous other professional and amateur astronomers. Additional events include a swap meet, messier marathon, nature talks and walks, and plenty of dark sky observing. Our skies are good for the eastern U.S., with a limiting magnitude of about 6.3 on a transparent moonless night. Showers are available within a 5 minute drive of the site with is in a rural county park. Details will be posted on our web site (www.oras.org) as the event nears, as well as registration information. Speakers and vendors are currently being arranged. We're planning a very big event this year, above and beyond any previous AstroBlast. Hope to see you there!
Seventh Annual Illinois Dark Skies Star Party, Sept. 25 to Sept. 28
Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Park, Illinois, USA
The Seventh Annual Illinois Dark Skies Star Party will be held at the Jim Edgar Panther Creek State Fish and Wildlife Area, 30 miles northwest of Springfield, Illinois in eastern Cass County.
The event is co-hosted by the Sangamon Astronomical Society and the St. Louis Astronomical Society. The park is easily accessible via US36/Interstate 72 or Interstate 55, and locally from Illinois Routes 78, 97 or 125.
Plans for star party events include guest speakers, presentations and an astrophotography contest. Bring your extra equipment and parts for swapping. Daytime activities at the park include hiking, biking, fishing, horseback riding and hunting or visit the nearby Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and other historical Lincoln sites.
URL: www.sas-sky.org
Prairie Skies Star Party 2008 - Sept. 25 to 28
Prairie Skies Star Party 2008 will be held at beautiful Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See 4-H camp, adjacent to Kankakee 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 all night observing; Prairie Skies features an imaging contest, door prizes, a swap market, vendors, catered meals, and a guest speaker or two. There are several additional activities to attend or participate in. 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 sci-fi movies in the Dining Hall. Join us as Prairie Skies Star Party "continues the tradition" at Camp Shaw.
Camp Shaw-Waw-Nas-See provides a semi secluded location, well protected from the glare of off-site lighting. The 6 acre main observing field is large and grass covered, making it ideal for observing and camping. Rustic barrack style cabins are available for non-campers. The large Dining Hall serves as a gathering place for many of the scheduled activities. Enjoy walking through the woods on shady hiking trails; one of which, follows Rock Creek as it traverses the camp property through a small canyon. Nearby Kankakee River State Park has an extensive bike trail system, and offers many other recreational opportunities.
The pre-registration deadline is 8-23-08 (prices higher after deadline).
Contact: infopssp@prairieskies.org
John Weber
708 481-7970
Website: http://www.prairieskies.org/
