The Staunton River Spring Star Party is set to return from March 24th to 30th, 2025, and registration is officially open. The event promises to be another incredible gathering for astronomy enthusiasts. Star party entry fees are set at $110 for the full week and $60 for the weekend (Thursday through Sunday). These fees are charged per astronomer, not per person.
For registration, participants can use PayPal via the event's official website. However, due to occasional technical issues with WordPress and PayPal, those facing challenges are encouraged to pay directly through PayPal using the event's email address. When sending payment, please include your name for the name tag and the names of any accompanying individuals to assist with the event’s headcount.
T-shirts for the event will feature a dark brown color with tan writing. However, due to the supplier's closure, there may be a delay in securing shirts. In the event of any issues, full refunds will be provided to anyone who has purchased a shirt.
CHAOS SRSP
P.O. Box 3001
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
The organizers express their excitement for another stellar event. The Fall Star Party of 2024 was a resounding success, with clear skies from Wednesday onwards, and plans are already in place for more exceptional viewing in March 2025.
Those interested in presenting a talk during the event are encouraged to reach out to the organizers. The Staunton River Star Party team is looking forward to a fantastic gathering and the opportunity to share the wonders of the night sky with fellow enthusiasts.
The Staunton River Star Party will feature a series of engaging talks from Thursday to Saturday afternoon.
Registration for the 2025 Spring Staunton River Star Party is officially open, with the event scheduled to take place from March 24th to March 30th. Interested participants can sign up online. For any questions or further information, participants are encouraged to contact the event organizers via email.
Celebrating its 14th year and 27th event, the Staunton River Star Party team is excited to reconnect with longtime friends and welcome new faces to this annual gathering.
The Staunton River Star Party is held at Staunton River State Park in Scottsburg, Virginia, a designated IDA Dark Park and the 25th of its kind in the world. The park’s location in south-central Virginia, near the border with North Carolina, offers some of the last remaining dark skies on the East Coast, making it an ideal destination for stargazing. The Milky Way is easily visible, and the park features a wide open field with excellent horizons for viewing the night sky. Additionally, power is available on the field for astronomers to power their equipment and recharge batteries during the day. Camping is allowed on the field, and there are also nearby campsites with camper hookups and powered campgrounds.
The event is supported by StarLink as the internet provider, ensuring reliable connectivity throughout the duration of the event. The park staff are committed to making the experience enjoyable for all attendees, providing outstanding service and attending to any needs that may arise.
The park’s "Deep Space Diner" offers a variety of meals throughout the day, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and stays open until midnight, depending on staffing. The diner is known for its "Bottomless Coffee Cup," which allows guests to refill with any beverage offered (except canned sodas), and its delicious omelets. Additionally, the park features the "ISS" (Inside Snack Station), providing coffee and snacks during the evening when the diner is closed. The ISS also serves as a warm refuge during cooler weather. Hot showers are available near the Deep Space Diner for added convenience. The Staunton River Star Party team is eagerly anticipating another fantastic event and looks forward to seeing participants in March 2025.
The Staunton River Star Party is held at Virginia’s first International Dark Sky Park – Staunton River State Park, located in Halifax County near Scottsburg, approximately 30 miles east of South Boston, Virginia. The park's GPS coordinates are 36° 41′ 46″ N latitude and 78° 41′ 06.9″ W longitude.
The area is classified as a "blue" zone on light pollution maps, indicating relatively low light pollution, as shown in the map below from the Dark Site Finder website. As an IDA-certified Dark Sky Park, Staunton River State Park works continuously with local governments and businesses to preserve and enhance the park's dark skies.
Staunton River State Park, recognized in 2007 as both a National Historic Landmark and a Virginia Historic Landmark, features structures such as cabins, a pool house, and picnic shelters that have remained largely unchanged since their construction by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s. Located in south-central Virginia, the park lies between the Dan and Staunton Rivers at the threshold of Buggs Island Lake (also known as Kerr Reservoir), Virginia's largest lake. The park offers numerous attractions, including an Olympic-sized pool with a 70-foot waterslide, a smaller log slide, and the Pollywog Pond, a water playground for children (with a size limit). Visitors can enjoy shaded campgrounds, rustic cabins, picturesque picnic shelters, well-maintained nature trails, and a variety of exciting outdoor activities, making it an ideal location for family vacations.
In 2015, Staunton River State Park was designated as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), becoming the third such park east of the Mississippi and the 25th in the world. This designation highlights the park’s commitment to preserving the natural dark skies of the area, making it the perfect venue for the Staunton River Star Party.
The Chapel Hill Astronomical and Observational Society (CHAOS) is a local astronomy club based in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The society welcomes all individuals interested in astronomy, offering a friendly environment at meetings and observing sessions where members can enhance their knowledge of the night sky, enjoy stargazing, and socialize. CHAOS members range from beginners to professional astronomers, but all share a common passion for astronomy.
CHAOS holds monthly meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at Carol Woods Community Center from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. These meetings include club business, discussions on upcoming astronomical events, and a presentation, followed by socializing. Presenters may be CHAOS members, local university faculty, or staff members from the Morehead Planetarium. The society also organizes observing sessions throughout the month and frequently participates in events hosted by the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.
At the Staunton River Star Party, CHAOS members are readily available to answer any astronomy-related questions and share their knowledge. Look for their distinctive t-shirts and feel free to approach them for a closer look through their telescopes!
Upon arriving at Staunton River State Park, attendees should follow the main road to the visitor center. The star party will take place on the field directly adjacent to the visitor center. Entrance to the field will be via the roads leading from the visitor center. Participants should follow the painted lines on the field to find their designated spots.
Staunton River State Park, located at 1170 Staunton Trail, Scottsburg, VA 24589, is a 2,336-acre park nestled in the heart of Virginia, approximately 25 miles from the North Carolina border. The park offers a diverse landscape, including woodlands, meadows, and shoreline along the Dan and Staunton rivers. With a rich history, the park features cabins built by the CCC in the 1930s and a campground offering overnight lodging. The equestrian campground includes large campsites and horse stalls, while the park’s proximity to Buggs Island Lake provides opportunities for freshwater fishing, boating, water skiing, and a range of aquatic activities. Additional amenities include picnic shelters, three playgrounds, tennis and volleyball courts, several boat launches, and more than 17 miles of multi-use trails.
Staunton River State Park is the first state park in Virginia to be designated an International Dark Sky Park, making it a prime location for stargazing. The park offers interpretive programs and telescope rentals for those interested in exploring the night sky.
The park is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Staunton River State Park is located 18 miles east of South Boston, Virginia. Visitors can reach the park by taking U.S. 360 to Route 344 and following it for 10 miles to the park entrance, southeast of Scottsburg, Virginia.
Address: 1170 Staunton Trail, Scottsburg, VA 24589
Latitude: 36.696066 | Longitude: -78.685254
Address:
1855 S Ingram Mill Rd
STE# 201
Springfield, Mo 65804
Phone: 1-844-277-3386
Fax: 417-429-2935
E-Mail: hello@scopetrader.com