Wikipedia
A star party is a gathering of amateur astronomy amateur astronomers. Local star parties may be one night affairs, but larger events can last up to a week or longer and attract hundreds or even thousands of participants. Many regional star parties are now held annually and are an important part of the hobby of amateur astronomy. Typically a dark sky site away from light pollution is chosen as a location. Participants bring telescopes of all sizes and spend the nights observing astronomical object astronomical objects such as planet planets, comet comets, stars, and deep sky object deep sky objects together. Astrophotography and CCD imaging are also very popular. At larger star parties, lectures, swap meets, exhibitions of amateur telescope making home-built telescopes, contests, tours, raffles, and other similar activities are common. Commercial vendors selling a variety of astronomical equipment may also be present. As with any other hobbyist gathering, there is much camaraderie and discussion of various aspects of the hobby at any star party.The idea of a star party is not new and allegedly goes back at least as far as George III of the United Kingdom, who was passionately interested in astronomy and mathematics. On nights when poor weather blocked the view of the real stars and planets, attendants are said to have hung paper lanterns marked with drawings in the trees around the royal palace to provide something else for the King and his guests to spot through their telescopes.Today, some leading regional star parties in the USA include: Stellafane (Vermont) RTMC Astronomy Expo (California) Texas Star Party nebraskastarparty.org - Nebraska Star Party masp.org - Mid Atlantic Star Party (North Carolina) Winter Star Party (Florida) Oregon Star Party
See also - Messier marathon
External links - skyandtelescope.com - Astronomy Event Calendar at ''Sky and Telescope'' WebsiteCategory:Astronomy events
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