Explore Alliance Affiliate Organization - Winter Star Party

The 2024 Winter Star Party, organized by the Southern Cross Astronomical Society, is scheduled from February 5th to February 11th. The Society extends a warm welcome to returning participants and expresses excitement about hosting one of the premier star parties globally. Planning is underway, and updates will be regularly provided on the event page.

Acknowledgments are given to last year's attendees for their patience and understanding in unforeseen circumstances. The event promises an impressive lineup of speakers, including Martin Caminos, an SCAS member and commercial pilot, who will present "An Introduction to Celestial Navigation" and delve into operating a sextant for navigating the earth by the stars.

The star party will feature familiar vendors such as Explore Scientific, Celestron, and TeleVue. Both camps, Wesumkee and Sawyer, offer rustic camping, with details remaining largely unchanged. Mickie's Kitchen, a long-standing food vendor, is making a final appearance, marking the retirement of its dedicated crew after 20 years of service.

Gates will open at 10 AM on Monday, February 5th, with RVs arriving at 7 AM. New this year, the age limit for "The Yackers" is raised to 15 and under, with no ticket or camping fees for children under 16. Updates on camp conditions and arrangements, as well as COVID-related information, are provided by Winter Star Party Director Tim Khan.

Known for its "steady air" and Bortle 3 skies, the Winter Star Party offers excellent conditions for astrophotographers and observers. The event assures sunny days in the 70s and calm nights in the 60s. Detailed information about the camps, Wesumkee and Sawyer, is provided, highlighting facilities and parking arrangements.

Those who have registered will receive details about their arrival time and parking arrangements. The event's unique features, such as Glam Tents and speaker presentations, are outlined, along with guidelines for campsite departure on February 11th at 10 AM. Door prizes are promised for Friday, and participants are encouraged to stay tuned for further information.

For inquiries and registration issues, participants are invited to contact wsp@scas.org.

Learn more about SCAS and its founder S.  Lynn Rhorer.