Texas Star Party
Encyclopedia
The Texas Star Party is one of the largest annual star parties
in the United States
.
TSP was started by Deborah Byrd
, members of the Austin Astronomical Society, and McDonald Observatory
in August 1979. It was a weekend gathering of amateur astronomers at Davis Mountains State Park near McDonald Observatory in far west Texas. In 1982, TSP was reorganized as a week long event and was held at the Prude Guest Ranch near Fort Davis, Texas
. For one year only, in 1997, the event was held at Alto Frio Baptist Encampment, on the banks of the Frio River
, 40 miles north of Uvalde, Texas
. In 1998, TSP returned to Prude Ranch, where it continues to be held annually in late April or in May near the time of new moon
.
Activities include dark sky observing and imaging, an astrophotography
contest, guest speakers, tours of McDonald Observatory, commercial vendors, and the opportunity to view numerous home built telescopes
and gadgets. TSP is well known for its very dark skies and has strongly supported efforts to reduce light pollution
. Two annual awards have traditionally been presented at TSP: The Lone Star Gazer Award (for personal achievement, accomplishment, and expertise) and The Omega Centauri Award (for public awareness and/or promotion of astronomy). Complete lists of all past award winners as well as past guest speakers may be found on the TSP History page listed below.
While at TSP 1996, Brian A. Skiff
named one of the asteroid
s that he had previously discovered. That asteroid, 4932 Texstapa
, was discovered on March 9, 1984 and was named for the Texas Star Party on the occasion of its 18th anniversary in May 1996.
Star party
A star party is a gathering of amateur astronomers for the purpose of observing the sky. Local star parties may be one night affairs, but larger events can last up to a week or longer and attract hundreds or even thousands of participants. Many regional star parties are now held annually and are an...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
TSP was started by Deborah Byrd
Deborah Byrd
Deborah Byrd is an American science journalist. She is executive producer and cohost of the internationally syndicated Earth & Sky radio series....
, members of the Austin Astronomical Society, and McDonald Observatory
McDonald Observatory
The McDonald Observatory is an astronomical observatory located near the unincorporated community of Fort Davis in Jeff Davis County, Texas, United States. The facility is located on Mount Fowlkes and Mount Locke in the Davis Mountains of West Texas...
in August 1979. It was a weekend gathering of amateur astronomers at Davis Mountains State Park near McDonald Observatory in far west Texas. In 1982, TSP was reorganized as a week long event and was held at the Prude Guest Ranch near Fort Davis, Texas
Fort Davis, Texas
Fort Davis is a census-designated place in Jeff Davis County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,050 at the 2000 census and 1,041 according to a 2007 estimate. It is the county seat of Jeff Davis County...
. For one year only, in 1997, the event was held at Alto Frio Baptist Encampment, on the banks of the Frio River
Frio River
The Frio River is a river in the U.S. state of Texas. The word frio is Spanish for cold, a clear reference to the spring-fed coolness of the river.-Geography:The Frio River has three primary feeds; the East, West, and Dry Frio rivers...
, 40 miles north of Uvalde, Texas
Uvalde, Texas
Uvalde is a city in and the county seat of Uvalde County, Texas, United States. The population was 14,929 at the 2000 census.Uvalde was founded by Reading Wood Black in 1853 as the town of Encina. In 1856, when the county was organized, the town was renamed Uvalde for Spanish governor Juan de...
. In 1998, TSP returned to Prude Ranch, where it continues to be held annually in late April or in May near the time of new moon
New moon
In astronomical terminology, the new moon is the lunar phase that occurs when the Moon, in its monthly orbital motion around Earth, lies between Earth and the Sun, and is therefore in conjunction with the Sun as seen from Earth...
.
Activities include dark sky observing and imaging, an astrophotography
Astrophotography
Astrophotography is a specialized type of photography that entails recording images of astronomical objects and large areas of the night sky. The first photographs of an astronomical object were taken in the 1840s, but it was not until the late 19th century that advances in technology allowed for...
contest, guest speakers, tours of McDonald Observatory, commercial vendors, and the opportunity to view numerous home built telescopes
Amateur telescope making
Amateur telescope making is the activity of building telescopes as a hobby, as opposed to being a paid professional. Amateur telescope makers build their instruments for personal enjoyment of a technical challenge, as a way to obtain an inexpensive or personally customized telescope, or as a...
and gadgets. TSP is well known for its very dark skies and has strongly supported efforts to reduce light pollution
Light pollution
Light pollution, also known as photopollution or luminous pollution, is excessive or obtrusive artificial light.The International Dark-Sky Association defines light pollution as:...
. Two annual awards have traditionally been presented at TSP: The Lone Star Gazer Award (for personal achievement, accomplishment, and expertise) and The Omega Centauri Award (for public awareness and/or promotion of astronomy). Complete lists of all past award winners as well as past guest speakers may be found on the TSP History page listed below.
While at TSP 1996, Brian A. Skiff
Brian A. Skiff
Brian A. Skiff is an American astronomer noted for discovering a number of comets including the periodic comets 114P/Wiseman-Skiff and 140P/Bowell-Skiff...
named one of the asteroid
Asteroid
Asteroids are a class of small Solar System bodies in orbit around the Sun. They have also been called planetoids, especially the larger ones...
s that he had previously discovered. That asteroid, 4932 Texstapa
4932 Texstapa
4932 Texstapa is an asteroid that was discovered on March 9, 1984 by Brian A. Skiff at the Anderson Mesa Station of the Lowell Observatory. It was named for the Texas Star Party on the occasion of its 18th anniversary in May 1996.-References:*...
, was discovered on March 9, 1984 and was named for the Texas Star Party on the occasion of its 18th anniversary in May 1996.
Source
External links
- Official Texas Star Party Website
- TSP Clear Sky Clock Forecast of astronomical observing conditions for Texas Star Party.