The Okie-Tex Star Party, taking place from September 27 to October 5, 2024, at Camp Billy Joe, offers a week filled with astronomy activities. Attendees can participate in seminars like "PixInsight Image Processing," enjoy observing sessions, and engage in swap meets. Pre-registration costs $110, with at-the-door registration priced at $160. Meals provided by Jody's Catering are available for pre-purchase. The event includes a Great Okie-Tex Giveaway and public nights, making it an exciting gathering for both amateur and experienced astronomers.
Okie-Tex Star Party 2024
Participants who register for the Okie-Tex Star Party will be listed on the "Who's Coming List," unless they choose to opt out, in which case they will receive email confirmation. The Oklahoma City Astronomy Club reserves the right to refuse registrations. Pre-registration costs $110 for individuals aged 16 and older, while children 15 and under attend free. T-shirts can be pre-ordered, with prices varying by size. Pre-registration must be completed by September 7, 2024, for mail-in forms, or by midnight CDT on September 8, 2024, for online submissions. Late or at-the-door registration fees are $160.
A $5 daily facility fee is required for attendees aged 16 and older, supporting improvements at Camp Billy Joe, but this fee is waived for children 15 and under. Meals provided by Jody's Catering are available for pre-order, ensuring availability. School and scout groups must register and provide a signed liability release, with group leaders fully registering and listing all members. Unregistered groups will not be admitted. Refund requests are accepted until September 7, 2024, and processed after November 1, 2024. Check-in will be in the vendor hall. The Okie-Tex Star Party also seeks speakers; interested individuals should contact Danny MacDonald, the Star Party Coordinator.
2024 Okie-Tex event schedule
Friday, September 27
- 7:00 AM: Camp Billy Joe gates open (vendors, caterers, setup, and staff only).
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast served.
- 12:00 Noon: Lunch served.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner served.
- 7:30 PM - Midnight: Cimarron County Public Night - Eileen Grzybowski Observing Presentation.
- 9:00 PM: Observe! Gates remain open for late arrivals; please observe lights-out regulations.
- 10:00 PM: Cosmic Cafe opens - Closes at Midnight.
Saturday, September 28
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast served.
- 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Okie-Tex New Attendee Orientation.
- 11:00 AM - 5:30 PM: Registration desk open.
- 12:00 Noon: Lunch served.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner served.
- 9:00 PM: Gate closed - Lights out - Observe!
- 10:00 PM: Cosmic Cafe opens - Closes at 2:00 AM.
Sunday, September 29
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast served.
- 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM: "PixInsight Image Processing Seminar" by Jonathan Talbot (Separate registration required).
- 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Registration desk open.
- 12:00 Noon: Lunch served.
- 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Registration desk open.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner served.
- 9:00 PM: Gate closed - Lights out - Observe!
- 10:00 PM: Cosmic Cafe opens - Closes at 2:00 AM.
Monday, September 30
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast served.
- 10:00 AM - 4:30 PM: "PixInsight Image Processing Seminar" by Jonathan Talbot (Separate registration required).
- 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Registration desk open.
- 12:00 Noon: Lunch served.
- 1:30 PM: Okie-Tex Swap Meet I - Bring items to sell, trade, or swap.
- 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Registration desk open.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner served.
- 9:00 PM: Gate closed - Lights out - Observe!
- 10:00 PM: Cosmic Cafe opens - Closes at 2:00 AM.
Tuesday, October 1
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast served.
- 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Registration desk open.
- 12:00 Noon: Lunch served.
- 1:30 PM: Okie-Tex Swap Meet II - Bring items to sell, trade, or swap.
- 2:30 PM: Mike Lockwood, Lockwood Custom Optics.
- 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Registration desk open.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner served.
- 6:30 PM: The Stars at Night, film premiere.
- 9:00 PM: Gate closed - Lights out - Observe!
- 10:00 PM: Cosmic Cafe opens - Closes at 2:00 AM.
Wednesday, October 2
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast served.
- 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM: Okie-Tex New Attendee Orientation.
- 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Registration desk open.
- 12:00 Noon: Lunch served.
- 1:30 PM: Tom Field, rSpec.
- 2:30 PM: Michael Hotka, Visual Observing.
- 3:30 PM: Frank Marchis, SETI.
- 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Registration desk open.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner served.
- 6:30 PM: John Barentine, Dark Sky Consulting.
- After Talk: Great Okie-Tex Giveaway! Part I.
- 9:00 PM: Gate closed - Lights out - Observe!
- 10:00 PM: Cosmic Cafe opens - Closes at 2:00 AM.
Thursday, October 3
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast served.
- 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Registration desk open.
- 12:00 Noon: Lunch served.
- 1:30 PM: PollyAnna Kiker, Black Mesa State Park.
- 2:30 PM: Mike Roos, "Mag 12 Observing."
- 3:30 PM: Stephen Hummel, "Lighting it Right: Solutions to Light Pollution for Industrial Facilities."
- 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM: Registration desk open.
- 5:00 PM: Dinner served.
- 6:30 PM: Connie Walker, National Optical-IR Astronomy Research Laboratory.
- 9:00 PM: Gate closed - Lights out - Observe!
- 10:00 PM: Cosmic Cafe opens - Closes at 2:00 AM.
Friday, October 4
- 8:00 AM: Breakfast served.
- 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM: Registration desk open.
- 12:00 Noon: Lunch served.
- 1:30 PM: Okie-Tex Swap Meet III - Bring items to sell, trade, or swap.
- 6:30 PM: Nagin Cox, Mars Perseverance.
- After Talk: Great Okie-Tex Giveaway! Part II and Announcements.
- Half hour after dismissal: Gate closed - Lights out - Observe!
- 10:00 PM: Cosmic Cafe opens - Closes at 2:00 AM.
Saturday, October 5
- 10:00 AM: Campgrounds must be vacated. Thank you for attending, and see you at Okie-Tex 2025! (September 19 - September 27, 2025)