Starparty Summer is HERE! or...Stellafane Part 2

Memorial Day has passed, and while it is not Astronomical Summer (that is, the Solstice) for all intents and purposes, the Summer Season of Starparties, Group Observing, and summer cookouts where people in my circles bring Skittles, Chips, Hot Chocolate, Beer, Cokes and a telescope and lawn chair or zero gravity reclining lawn chair to use with Big Binos or small.

 

First, the list of Starparties 

Please Note: These are all in the East, reachable by yours truly. There are many more all over the US.

• Cherry Springs Star Party, Cherry Springs State Park, PA: June 10-13, 2010;

• Green Bank Star Quest, Green Bank, West VA: July 7-10, 2010;
• AOS StarFest, Roxbury, NY:  July 9-11, 2010;
• Mason Dixon Summer Starparty, York County, PA: July 9-11, 2010;
• Stellafane, Springfield, Vermont: August 5-8, 2010;
• Astronomers Conjunction, Northfield, Massachusetts: August 20-21, 2010;
• Almost Heaven Starparty, Spring Knob, West VA: September 3-7, 2010;
• Black Forest Star Party, Cherry Springs State Park, PA: September 10-12, 2010; and,
• Connecticut Star Party, Ashford, CT September 18-20 2010...there are more...perhaps in a later blog post...

I have only previously attended Stellafane and the Connecticut Star Party, but I hope to add a few more to my list this year. You should try to attend at least two on this list Dear Reader and Astronomer.

Second, Make friends of your neighbors--A mini Starparty!

Whether you know your neighbors well or not, sometime goodwill is needed when lights are turned on by motion sensors in the neighborhood, or other assistance may be needed.

1. Invite neighbors over. Include their kids!
2. Serve hot dogs an burgers and have your telescope in a prominent place in your yard.
3. Ask if they might like to see Saturn or Mars after it gets dark.
4. Everyone becomes a kid at a telescope eyepiece. Have a list of objects to view--if you have a Meade goto telescope, use the "Tonight's Best" feature in the Tour Menu.
5. People will go home after coffee, S'mores and hot chocolate, glad there is a person in their  neighborhood who is an astronomer.  They will be more courteous with their lights, too!

Third and Last, Join an Astronomy Club and Participate!

Find an Astronomy Club in your area. That link will bring you to the Astronomical League's locator of "member societies" or "astronomy clubs", making it easier to find like minded folks and make friends. Or, find an Astronomy Club from a list alphabetized by state. You may be surprised to find how much fun it is to observe in your own back yard with fellow astronomers. You can learn much peeking through other members' telescopes and great friendships may be forged under the Milky Way's light!

Well, that is it for now, Dear Astronomers! Please comment if you found any of these Summer Suggestions helpful or you know of a starparty or can report on any in my list! Enjoy the night!