The Southern Cross Astronomical Society is the gracious host of the Winter Star Party (WSP). Many folks you run into at the WSP come from this group or another of the several astro communities throughout Florida. However, participants aren't limited to the Sunshine State. Walking through the camping...

Yesterday, I left Wisconsin and the promise of 10 inches of snow for the Florida Keys and the promise of sunny skies, 78°, and the Winter Star Party (WSP). After landing in Ft. Lauderdale, I trekked down state highway 1 for several hours to West Summerland Key and the WSP site. For the entire trip, the...

Location, location, location. This maxim isn’t only reserved for real estate, but also holds true for vendors at star parties. This year, Astronomy holds another great position at the Winter Star Party (WSP). Best of all, right next door is Tele Vue ’s booth, commanded by the company's founder, Al...

Astronomy magazine Editor Dave Eicher is traveling to the Enchanted Skies Star Party in Socorro, New Mexico, September 24–27. This event boasts pristine observing conditions ... a welcome departure from the Midwest’s fall skies. I attended this star party a few years ago. One of the highlights for me...

On Thursday, I’ll leave Milwaukee and drive around Lake Michigan to the Great Lakes Star Gaze (GLSG), near Gladwin, Michigan. This will mark the 6th year of this annual event. In 2008, GLSG runs from September 25–28. As the invited speaker, I won’t need to bring a telescope or even binoculars. I’m just...

As Matt Quandt told you yesterday , I’m on the road in Socorro, New Mexico, this week at the Enchanted Skies Star Party. Although it’s a relatively small gathering, the star party is a great one and an event you should consider attending next year. The former residence of Astronomy ’s longtime editor...

Getting a multi-hour, behind-the-scenes tour of the Very Large Array radio telescope is a very enriching experience — and that’s exactly what a group of 10 of us from the Enchanted Skies Star Party experienced yesterday, Thursday, September 25. Our expert guide was Jon Spargo, who retired a few years...

Now that I have Internet access, I can report the first two nights at the Great Lakes Star Gaze (GLSG) were clear. Unfortunately, they also were quite humid. Editor's note: Visit the online photo album, " Astronomy on the road: Great Lakes Star Gaze 2008" for more images from Michael's...

The day after we had a wonderful night of observing at El Camino Real, the Enchanted Skies Star Party slowed down a bit. Attendees spread out doing a variety of things during the day. Editor's note: View the photo album, Enchanted Skies Star party 2008 , to see images from Dave's time in and...

The third night at the Great Lakes Star Gaze (GLSG) started out clear but turned cloudy around 11 p.m. That’s too bad, because lots of observers were waiting for some great objects to climb high in the sky. Editor's note: Visit the online photo album, " Astronomy on the road: Great Lakes Star...