Star Party Streamin'

[Whizzo]

Taken at a weekend astronomy get together in south Texas.

A long exposure to catch the stars and the shiny aluminum.

[cwf]

Niiiiice!

[Stefrobrts]

Nice! I want to take my scope with me when we go out this summer.

[Fly at Night]

A sky as pure as water bathed the stars and brought them out.
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery

[Westfalia]

That sounds like fun. I've been wanting to get my little girls out for a star party in the San Antonio area. Where do you guys go?

[murreywalker]

Originally Posted by Westfalia

That sounds like fun. I've been wanting to get my little girls out for a star party in the San Antonio area. Where do you guys go?

For you, who lives in a light polluted area, I would say, "Go west, young man!" ;-)

Seriously, the darker skies will only be found in places like Big Bend.

[Westfalia]

Whizzo's picture also doesn't look like Big Bend.

It does go without saying the Big Bend/Alpine area is the best best to avoid light pollution, but it it also at least five house away from San Antonio which is generally not doable on the young family schedule. I'm blessed to be in the Hill Country which has fairly dark nights still, but San Antonio is getting brighter and closer every day.

[M. Smith]

Black Mesa State Park, in the Oklahoma panhandle. Near the home of the annual Okie-Tex Star party Okie-Tex Star Party The park itself has lighting that prevents good star gazing, but you can go over a few hills and it's excellent viewing.

[Whizzo]

Originally Posted by Westfalia

That sounds like fun. I've been wanting to get my little girls out for a star party in the San Antonio area. Where do you guys go?

It sure is a lot of fun. There are two major astronomy clubs in San Antonio, San Antonio League of Sidewalk Astronomers and San Antonio Astronomical Association. Both have free public outreach events on the calendar, and each have some dark sky sites within a couple hours drive of the city. They also hold events at state parks such as Garner, Hill Country, and Government Canyon.

You are already in a decent zone compared to us! Normally we say about an hour out of the city, and you can find some decent dark skies. This image was taken just west of Fredericksburg.