Attending This Year's Season of Star Parties

Ask any of us in the S&T office what one of the pleasures of the job might be, and we’ll likely reply that it’s the opportunity to get out “into the field” and meet fellow stargazers and our readers at star parties and conventions across the country. Over the past few months, S&T editors have been busy doing just that.

Inspirational Gathering at Wildacres

Even before summer star party season entered full swing, Editor in Chief Diana Hannikainen flew to North Carolina at the end of April to attend the Southern Star Convention. Hosted by the Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club, the event takes place at Wildacres Retreat in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The Convention’s debut dates to 1986, while Wildacres Retreat’s story begins back in the 1920s — in 1972 it became a “public charity dedicated to the betterment of human relations.” That spirit continues to infuse the annual gathering of astronomers. Over the course of four days, attendees are treated to a series of talks. This year, Hannikainen shared the stage with Gayle Risgbee (of the Charlotte Amateur Astronomers Club), Erik Peterson (Duke University), and Dave Moffett (Furman University). In addition to speaking about her past research on microquasars, Hannikainen also gave the audience a behind-the-scenes look at Sky & Telescope.

Besides talks, the convention also hosts swap tables, daytime solar observing, and, if the night skies are clear, observing sessions. The Wildacres setting is truly an inspiring one for the exchanging of all ideas astronomical.

The Astronomical League at Majestic Bryce Canyon

Next stop for Hannikainen was Bryce Canyon in Utah, where the Astronomical League (AL) was holding its annual meeting. This year, the AL convention happened in conjunction with the Bryce Canyon Star Party, which is open to the public. Nearly 500 astronomers convened at Ruby’s Inn, at the entrance to the canyon itself, while another 3,500 or so stargazers came to the National Park for every night of the public star party. Hannikainen staffed a booth showcasing the magazine and other S&T products, alongside other vendors. The highlights, as always, were interacting with attendees and meeting giants in the field – including Larry Mitchell, whose observing book (in three volumes) the AAS publishing recently released, and Brent Archinal (of Star Clusters fame, surely a book many observers have on their bookshelves).

Experts in various fields of astronomy gave inspiring talks or held insightful workshops during the days of the convention. These included S&T Contributing Editor Scott Harrington who shared useful tips and ideas on how to enhance the observing experience, while Cindy Krach led a hands-on workshop on sketching. (If you haven’t already done so, you should check out her work in the September 2022 and July 2024 issues of the magazine!) “It was also great to meet the recipients of the AL’s National Young Astronomer and Jack Horkheimer Youth awards!” Hannikainen says. “It’s always thrilling to hear young people talk with great passion and knowledge about astronomy.”

Unfortunately, smoke from the nearby wildfires scuppered observing opportunities for most of the public star party nights, but convention-goers were lucky in that the organizers had arranged for private observing at Rainbow Point, which, at an elevation of more than 9,000 feet, was above most of the smoke.

The Sublime Nebraska Sandhills

The end of July found Hannikainen traveling back to Valentine for the Nebraska Star Party (NSP) in the famed Sandhills in the far northern reaches of the state. Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, the venue for the NSP for all of its 32 years, was declared an International Dark Sky Park in 2022. And yes, those skies are dark! People report seeing their shadow by the light of the Milky Way arcing overhead.

This year was a stormy one, with many nights clouded out. However, Nebraska skies never disappoint — there’s always something to gape at, whether it be a lightning show, a staggeringly high rainbow at sunset, or simply clouds drifting by on a sunny afternoon.

Even if observing opportunities were scant this year, it’s always wonderful to catch up with old friends. One makes friends very easily at the NSP, as organizers arrange dinners at the observing field, bringing everyone together before nightfall. The sense of community and anticipation of the night to come was, as always, palpable — even when storm clouds rolled in.

The Wednesday afternoon of the week was dedicated to talks, and this year S&T represented with bells and whistles. Contributing Editor Richard Wright regaled the audience with his personal story of what led him to the hobby, while Bob Morrow of Bob’s Knobs fame enthralled a roomful of people for an hour on the ins-and-outs of collimation screws. (Who knew that screws could be so fascinating!) Bob’s ad has run in the pages of this magazine for half a century — you’ll usually find it on page 80. Hannikainen completed the trio of speakers with a talk on the history of radio astronomy.

Good Old Stellafane

Last but not least, Editorial Assistant Sabrina Garvin and Associate Editor Edwin Aguirre represented S&T at Stellafane. Garvin has been going since she was knee-high to a grasshopper, and Aguirre has also been attending for decades. Every year, scores of stargazers congregate on Breezy Hill, near Springfield, Vermont, as they’ve done since the early 1920s. And, every year, attendees can admire the handiwork of inventive telescope makers, enjoy the dark skies above, and maybe visit the museum at Harkness House.   

As the world’s oldest and largest gathering of amateur telescope makers, attracting up to 1,000 attendees, Stellafane is where creative do-it-yourselfers and tinkerers can showcase their telescope-making technologies and innovations.

 “On a personal level, it’s so great for me to reconnect with the amateur community after a hiatus of nearly 20 years — it was great to make new friends and meet old ones,” Aguirre recalls. “At the swap meet field, someone called out my name, and it was Larry Patriarca — the last time we met was at the Connecticut Star Party in 2002, and I’m amazed he still remembered me!”

The skies over Stellafane have remained surprisingly dark despite its proximity to the city of Springfield. Aguirre, Garvin, and fellow stargazers enjoyed the clear skies on Friday evening — the summer Milky Way was so prominent to the unaided eye (no averted vision necessary).

This year’s Stellafane had a heightened emphasis on celebrating young people in astronomy and included several new events directed for and by teens and young adults. Garvin says, “I hope to see these become annual traditions — kudos to Springfield Telescope Makers President Cecilia Detrich for setting up these events and helping the younger attendees feel seen.”

We hope to see you at a star party somewhere, sometime. If you spot us, don’t be shy and do come and chat – we love sharing our passion of the night sky with fellow stargazers.