Interested in astronomy, but not sure where to begin? A first step can be to seek out your local astronomy club. It consists of a roomful of willing and able amateur astronomers, whose telescopes may offer your first glimpse of the cosmos. The Astronomical League is an umbrella organization of 240 amateur astronomy clubs and societies in the U.S.
The Astronomical League also helps us create and maintain the list of events on this page. Click here to visit the Astronomical League’s website.
Know of an event that’s not on the list below? Contact us.
Do you have a great photo of a star party in your area? Submit here.
Looking for an astronomy club in your area? Click here.
Jump below the photo for a list of upcoming events! If no web link is given, it’s because the information for the upcoming event hasn’t been posted yet. Check back.
Upcoming astronomy events … summer, 2018
Coming Events: Summer 2018
July 10–15
Indiana Family Star Party
Camp Cullom, Frankfort, Indiana
www.indianastars.com/starparty
July 11–14
Green Bank Star Quest XV
Green Bank National Radio Observatory, West Virginia?
www.greenbankstarquest.org
July 11–14
Astronomical League Convention
Minneapolis, Minnesota
alcon2018.astroleague.org
July 11–15
Golden State Star Party
Frosty Acres Ranch, Adin, California
www.goldenstatestarparty.org
July 13–14
Connecticut River Valley Astronomers Conjunction
?Northfield Mountain Recreation and Environmental Center, Massachusetts
www.philharrington.net/astroconjunction
August 5–10
Nebraska Star Party
Merritt Reservoir, Valentine, Nebraska
www.nebraskastarparty.org
August 7–11
Table Mountain Star Party
Eden Valley Ranch, Oroville, Washington
www.tmspa.com
August 7–12
Oregon Star Party
Ochoco National Forest. Prineville, Oregon
www.oregonstarparty.org
August 9–11
Julian Starfest (POSTPONED)
Menghini Winery, Julian, California
www.julianstarfest.com
August 9–12
Stellafane
Breezy Hill, Springfield, Vermont
stellafane.org/stellafane-main/convention
August 10-13
Island Star Party
Bright Angle Park, Cowichan Station
Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
starfinders.ca/island-star-party
August 10, 17, 24, and 31
Maine State Star Party
Cobscook Bay State Park, Edmunds, Maine
www.facebook.com/events/1083499411792157
August 30–September 3
Iowa Star Party
Whiterock Conservancy’s Whiterock Resort, Coon Rapids, Iowa
www.iowastarparty.com
September 5–9
Northern Nights Star Fest
Long Lake Conservation Center, Minnesota
www.mnastro.org/NNSF
September 5–9
Acadia Night Sky Festival
Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
www.acadianightskyfestival.org
September 6–9
2018 Bootleg Astronomy Star Party
Green River Conservation Area, Harmon, Illinois
www.bootlegastronomy.com
September 7–9
Black Forest Star Party
Cherry Springs State Park, Pennsylvania
www.bfsp.org
September 7–11
Almost Heaven Star Party
Spruce Knob, West Virginia
www.ahsp.org
September 14-15
Astronomy at the Beach
Great Lakes Association of Astronomy Clubs
Kent Lake beach, Island Lake State Recreation Area, Brighton, Michigan
www.glaac.org/
October 6–14
Okie-Tex Star Party
Kenton, Oklahoma
www.okie-tex.com
Bottom line: List of astronomy and night sky events for the public, for summer 2018, compiled in cooperation with the awesome Astronomical League. Join in, and have fun!
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