I’ve just heard from Cheryl Barker, vice president of the Astronomical Society of New Haven, about an event that might interest many of Astronomy magazine’s New England readers: the 21st Connecticut Star Party. We asked her to write a guest blog about the event, so readers could get all the information straight from the source.
Beautiful skies, wide-open spaces, renowned speakers, and more await attendees of the 21st Connecticut Star Party in late September in Ashford, Connecticut. // Photo courtesy ASNH
The Astronomical Society of New Haven (ASNH) has been bringing amateur astronomy to Connecticut for 74 years, including 21 years hosting the Connecticut Star Party, the state’s largest star party. This year’s event will return to the June Norcross Webster Scout Reservation in Ashford, Connecticut, September 23–25. The reservation is a beautiful 1,200-acre facility in rural northeastern Connecticut featuring a large main viewing field with dark vistas in all directions. The magnitude 6 skies are great for astronomical observing and astrophotography.
Far from the observing fields, there is plenty of play space for Frisbee and open-field sports, minimizing any danger to astronomical equipment. Daytime activities include speaker programs, solar observing, fun nature walks, and other educational activities for kids. If the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll have plenty of indoor activities and games as well as presentations by club members. The camp features a large, well-maintained conference/dining hall and a fully staffed kitchen for providing professionally catered meals throughout the weekend.
This year, we have two fantastic guest speakers:
Bob Berman is a popular author, well-known to astronomers and the general public. He has entertained and educated readers with seven books and articles in a multitude of publications, including a monthly column in Astronomy magazine. His latest book, The Sun’s Heartbeat (Little, Brown and Company), came out this year.
Caroline Moore became interested in astronomy at the age of 10 when she got her first telescope. Since then, she has volunteered her time working with children in her community to help them better understand astronomy and space. In April 2008, at the age of 14, Caroline joined the Puckett Supernova Search Team. Eight months later, she found her first supernova, SN 2008ha, in UGC 12682. It is a type Ia supernova and among the least luminous ever observed.
ASNH is a small club with approximately 70 active members. Anyone can join with or without a telescope; all you need is a desire to see the stars. Members are happy to help folks learn the skies, and we have an Astronomy 101 class each year open to all members that covers the constellations, telescopes, eyepieces, and how to use star charts and planispheres. We hold a few dozen public events each year at local schools, parks, and museums. The Bethany Observing Stations boasts four working observatories where members can observe on their own, and the public is invited for monthly observing sessions.
For more information and to register for the Connecticut Star Party, visit http://asnh.org/slideshow/CSPpicIndex.php.