Its nice to report that the in-person star party circuit is opening up in North America. Here are some highlights of in person star parties for September and October 2021. Note, that these events may be affected by the latest Covid 19 related scenarios.
Rocky Mountain Star Stare
Location: Walsenberg, Colorado
Date: September 2 – 6, 2021
Website: www.rmss.org
The Rocky Mountain Star Stare is an annual premiere star party sponsored by the Colorado Springs Astronomical Society. Located on 35 acres of land, RMSS’s “Starry Meadows” is conveniently located just over two hours southwest of Colorado Springs (outside of Gardner, CO), between the Sangre de Cristo and Wet mountain ranges, at an altitude of 7,600 feet above sea level. RMSS annually plays host to 300+ amateur and professional astronomers, family and friends.
Acadia Night Sky Festival
Location: Bar Harbor, Maine
Date: September 29 – October 3, 2021
Website: www.acadianightskyfestival.org
The 12th Annual Acadia Night Sky Festival is set for September 29 – October 3, 2021, and will once again be packed with a full schedule of events. With workshops, internationally recognized speakers and hands-on experiences, there truly is something for everyone from families to the serious amateur astronomer. Maine’s spectacular rocky coast is home to Acadia National Park, and some of the last pristine, star-filled night skies in the eastern United States. Here, the Milky Way shines bright in the largest expanse of naturally dark sky east of the Mississippi River.
Black Forest Star Party
Location: Potter County, Pennsylvania
Date: October 1-3, 2021
Website: www.bfsp.org
The Black Forest Star Party (BFSP) is an annual dark-sky amateur astronomy observing event hosted by the Central Pennsylvania Observers (CPO). Held every year since 1999, the BFSP generally spans a weekend in the late summer or early fall in Cherry Springs State Park in Potter County, Pennsylvania. Cherry Springs State Park is one of the darkest sites in the state of Pennsylvania and has been designated as Pennsylvania’s first Dark Sky Park by the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). The amateur astronomers who have attended the BFSP can testify that the skies can be great!
Okie-Tex Star Party
Location: Kenton, Oklahoma
Date: October 1-9, 2021
Website: www.okie-tex.com
One of the most popular annual US star parties, the Okie-Tex Star Party will be held on Camp Billy Joe near Kenton, OK, which is in the far NW corner of Oklahoma’s panhandle. Hosted by the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club, the Okie-Tex Star Party is famous for its incredibly dark skies, great food, presentations, fellowship and accommodations.
Eldorado Star Party
Location: Eldorado, Texas
Date: October 12-17, 2021
Website: www.eldoradostarparty.org
Sponsored by the Austin Astronomical Society, San Antonio Astronomical Association, and Hill Country Astronomers (Fredericksburg) with the support of the Texas Star Party, and volunteers from area clubs including Dallas and Houston, this event promises to bring dark skies closer to the amateur astronomer. The central location of the X-Bar Ranch near Eldorado, Texas (46 miles west of Fort McKavett) is within easy driving distance of many Texas cities and enjoys the dry climate of west Texas.
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