As I described in “A beginners guide to star parties” in the February issue of
Astronomy, a large regional star party is an experience like no other for a deeper immersion in the hobby. Hundreds of people travel across the country every year to remote locations that boast some of the darkest skies in the United States. These star parties have programs filled with activities like amateur telescope- and mirror-making workshops, expert guest speakers, telescope and food venders, raffles, and young-astronomer programs.
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