Nebraska Star Party 2024 schedule

The center of activity at NSP will be the large tent on the Observing Field near the entrance to  the Snake Campground. Activities under the NSP Tent are: meal service, night time constellation talks, and door prize giveaways. The exception will be Wednesday, when activities will be moved to the high school in the town of Valentine.

While breakfasts and lunches will be on your own, we're delighted to offer the convenience of plentiful, affordable and just plain darn good catered meals on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, served on the Observing Field. The cost of these meals is $16 for adults and $12 for children 10 and under. These hearty meals have garnered rave reviews! All include an ample entree, side dishes, dessert and drinks to fill you up in the tradition of the western chuck wagon.

The following tentative lineup of events is subject to change, but the week will look a lot like this:

Sunday, July 28

• Registration and Check-In, 4-6:30 PM, at Boardman Campground
• Optional Barbecue Chicken Dinner, 7-8 PM, NSP Tent on the Observing Field
• Observation, Dusk ’til Dawn, Observing Field
   

Monday, July 29

• Beginner’s Field School, 2-4 PM, Valentine High School
• Registration and Check-In, 5-6:30 PM, at Boardman Campground
• Optional BBQ Beef Sandwich Dinner, 7-8 PM, NSP Tent on the Observing Field
• Observation, Dusk ’til Dawn, Observing Field
   

Tuesday, July 30

• Beginner’s Field School, 2-4 PM, Valentine High School
• Registration and Check-In, 5-6:30 PM, at Boardman Campground
• Optional “Cattle Country” Burger Bash, 7-8 PM, Tent  on the Observing Field
• Observation, Dusk ’til Dawn, Observing Field
   

Wednesday, July 31 (at Valentine High School)

• Registration and Check-In, 10 AM – Noon
• Beginner’s Field School, 10 AM – Noon
• Swap Meet, 10 AM – 4PM
• Pizza Lunch Buffet, Noon-1 PM
• Astro photo contest judging
• Speaker Programs, 1-4 PM
• Children’s Program, 1-4 PM
• Contest Awards and Door Prizes
• Evening Meal on your own
• Observation, Dusk ’til Dawn, Observing Field
   

Thursday, August 1

• Open Day – No NSP events scheduled
• 9-3pm Optional Brewers Canoe/Float Trip down Niobrara
• 7-8pm Optional Marinated Pork or Chicken Dinner, NSP Tent on the Observing Field
• Observation, Dusk ’til Dawn, Observing Field
   

Friday, August 2

• Open Day – No NSP events scheduled
• 9-3pm Optional Brewers Canoe/Float Trip down Niobrara
• Evening Meal on your own
• Public Star Party, 9:00 PM, Observing Field
   

Beginners Field School activities

Newcomers to astronomy, children, and spouses of dedicated observers will appreciate this introduction to observing the night sky.  Over the course of three days, these two-hour classes each day will focus on a new skill.   Then each evening the students will be able to practice and fine tune those new skills under the sandhills’ starry skies.

Door Prizes

Door prizes will be given away at NSP gatherings during the week.  All NSP registrants are eligible for door prizes, with a number of prizes reserved especially for children.  Details will be included upon pre-registration.

Contests

Enter the NSP Astro-Photography Contest with submissions from your existing portfolio or shots newly captured during the week.  Four categories include wide-field shots, solar system subjects, deep sky images, and ‘taken at NSP’.  Or test your observing skills against one of our Observing Challenges.  There are lists of objects to hunt down at every skill level, and for all classes of optical aids.

Nebraska Star Party Registration details

Registration for the 2024 Star Party at Boardman's Camp Ground is now open online and available via a downloadable PDF on the NSP website. For those who prefer, onsite registration is available during the last week of July, with specific times listed for each day. A comprehensive 8-page guide with logistical details will be provided upon registration.

Key registration times include evenings from July 28-30 at Boardman’s Camp Ground and a special walk-in session on July 31 at Valentine High School from 10:00 am to Noon. Note that only cash or check payments are accepted onsite.

Pre-registration costs $60 for adults and $15 for children under 12 if mailed by June 15; prices increase after this date. Meals must be ordered in advance due to state regulations, with adult and children’s options priced at $17 and $12, respectively. Themed T-shirts and reservations for the Beginners Field School are also available through the registration form.

A liability release must be signed by all attendees, and Nebraska State Park Entry Permits are required for vehicle entry, priced at $30 for residents and $53.50 for non-residents.

Finally, all registration fees are non-refundable, but payments for T-shirts and meals are refundable if canceled by July 1. Confirmation of registration and further details will be sent to assist with event planning.