(SNES) The Great Star Parties

[Albireo54@aol.com]

Hi Everyone,

Those folks who have attended Stellafane, the granddaddy of all the great 
national star parties, know first hand the joys that these astronomical 
festivals can bring. Of course, the big drawback to Stellafane is the dicey 
New England weather. I have attended twice, and it rained for a portion of 
both weekends. At no time did I see skies that even approached the best we 
get down at FDO. Still, the experience was well worth the investment of time 
and money. :o)

Nationally, there are some spectacular events held under truly dark sky 
conditions. Most notable are the Texas Star party in the west Texas mountain 
country, the Nebraska Star Party in the remote sand hills of northern 
Nebraska, the Winter Star Party in the Florida Keys, and the Riverside 
Convention near Big Bear, California. Other smaller get-togethers attract 
thousands of observers annually to sites all over the USA.

The two premier events for dark skies are the Texas and Nebraska parties. The 
TSP, held at an elevation of 5,000 feet near Fort Davis, has world renowned 
skies. In fact, McDonald Observatory, home of some of the world's largest 
telescopes, is just 9 miles away. Attendance is now capped at 650 people, as 
this event has grown immensely popular, and has frequently overwhelmed the 
facilities.

Even more attractive from a dark sky standpoint may be the Nebraska Star 
Party. Their site in north central Nebraska, elevation 3100 feet, is 180 air 
miles from the nearest city of 40,000 or more! The only "town" in the 
vicinity, Valentine, is 23 miles away and has only a couple of thousand 
residents. Previous attendees speak glowingly of the magnitude 7.5 skies in 
this area! Their event this year will be in the first week of August (timed 
to the new moon) and will attract 350 - 400 participants.  

How much better is the seeing in these extremely remote sites? Most of us may 
never know, although I plan to attend at least one of these events before I 
expire. if the seeing is anything like what I experienced on the 8,000 foot 
Arizona high plateaus about 15 years ago, it would make for quite a week of 
observing!

Now the question begs - with FDO being one of darkest viewing sites in 
southern New England, why hasn't it brought the area some welcome tourism by 
hosting a star party or two of its own? Hmmm.....should the Big Apple Circus, 
the Seafood Festival, and Rhythm and Roots be the only big events of the year 
at Ninigret Park? 

:o)
Doug Stewart
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