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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Star Party?
A star party is a social gathering of amateur astronomers revolving around observing the heavens and enjoying the company of people with a similar interest. Typically, these are held at remote locations, away from city lights, to get the best possible conditions. Most astronomy clubs hold single night star parties on a regular basis. These are usually within driving distance and are expected to be an evening observing with the club, with a drive back that night. Recently, regional star parties have become popular. These are typically several days or a week long and are at very remote locations. They are expected to involve a special trip to the location and a several night stay. They often have special events such as talks, side trips, and vendor booths.
What is the Nebraska Star Party?
The Nebraska Star Party (NSP) is a large regional star party held each summer in North Central Nebraska. NSP distinguishes itself from other star parties in two important ways.
- Family-oriented recreation. Star parties are best held miles from civilization, where even rural lighting is almost non-existent to diminish the experience of the naked skies above. But at some star party locations, family members who are only casually interested in observing may be bored to tears with nothing to occupy their days. NSP's location on Nebraska's Merritt Reservoir guarantees a wide range of activity for the entire family to enjoy throughout the week.
- Beginner friendliness. From the outset, NSP's Beginners Field School has set the tone for a star party where anyone can enjoy the summer sky, even if they've never before looked up to see what's there. Countless children, spouses, and novice observers have been shown how to make the most of the beautiful dark skies of this place through Beginners Field School. And that spirit carries onto the observing field at night. If you're new to astronomy, NSP is for you.
When is the Nebraska Star Party?
The Nebraska Star Party is timed each year to coincide with the New Moon nearest the last of July/first of August. The intent is to have the New Moon fall sometime during the week of the event, which runs from Sunday through Friday.
Why is the Nebraska Star Party held?
Star parties are a lot of fun! But the astronomy clubs in the upper mid-west would have to travel a long way to get to another major regional star party. So the NSP's original purpose was to give these astronomers a reachable star party with excellent conditions and precious little light pollution. In the process, NSP has gained a personality and a reputation all its own, and now draws attendees from across the country and even from outside the United States.
Where is the Nebraska Star Party held?
The Nebraska Star Party's home is among the rolling sandhills surrounding Merritt Reservoir in Nebraska's colossal Cherry County, 27 miles south of the county seat of Valentine. The second largest county in the nation, Cherry County's land area encompases 6000 square miles, supporting only about 6000 residents, half of whom live in the county seat. The star party's registration and administrative headquarters are in the city of Valentine, while camping and observing fields are adjacent to the Snake Campground in Merritt Reservoir State Park, near the southern bend of the reservoir. Midweek at each NSP the daily activities are adjourned to Valentine High School, where larger facilities allow for a concurrent swap meet, children's program, and presentations.
How was this site chosen?
Merritt Reservoir was selected for its near total lack of light pollution, and for its already developed vacation infrastructure. The dark sky is very important to astronomers because even the small amount of artificial light in rural areas between cities drowns out faint astronomical objects. The effect of light pollution masking is easily seen by comparing the night sky as seen in town with the sky seen even a few miles into the country. Our site was chosen by looking at a night satellite image of the US, where a large "hole" in North Central Nebraska led several members of the Prairie Astronomy Club to note that someone should host a major star party there. Thus was born the Nebraska Star Party. Since its inception, NSP has aided in the prevention of light pollution in the area by purchasing full cutoff fixtures for the few outdoor lights which exist in proximity to Merrit Reservoir.
What is Light Pollution?
A large portion of the outdoor light generated in the United States is directed out toward the horizon, or even directly into the sky, both of which uselessly defeat the idea of illuminating the pathways we need to see at night. This type of lighting wastes money, creates dangerous glare and completely spoils our ability to see the night sky near our cities. You can observe this for yourself with two simple experiments: First, look at five artificial lights. Ask yourself how much of the light generated falls on the path or area intended to be illuminated, and how much is sent to the horizon, or out into space. Does the wasted light serve any useful purpose? Second, consider that the number of stars in the sky used to be a synonym for an infinitely large number. Now step outside and count the number of stars you can see from your porch. Is it an uncountably large number (as it appears from NSP) or is it a mere few dozen? For more in-depth information about light pollution, and how you can help mitigate it, we invite you to visit the website of the International Dark-Sky Association.
Who sponsors NSP?
The Nebraska Star Party began under the co-sponsorship of the Prairie Astronomy Club of Lincoln and the Omaha Astronomical Society. In 2007, Nebraska Star Party, Inc. was formed as a Nebraska not-for-profit corporation, with federal 501(c)(3) status pending. We also receive tremendous support from the Nebraska State Game and Parks Commission, the Cherry County Visitor Promotion Board, and all of the individual businesses and residents of the greater Valentine area.
Who goes to the Nebraska Star Party?
The Nebraska Star Party has a reputation for very dark skies coupled with many opportunities for a family vacation. So many amateur astronomers come to NSP, bringing their entire families for a Sandhills vacation. Those family members who aren't avid stargazers will still find plenty of activities to enjoy. Participants have come from as far away as California, Maryland, New York and Texas in the US, as well as Canada and even England. NSP has also maintained a focus on introducing beginners to the hobby of astronomy with its popular Beginners Field School. It's not necessary to have any prior experience observing, nor own any optical equipment to enjoy a week at NSP.
How many people are expected?
The first NSP drew about 70 registrants. From 1994 to 1998 the Star Party grew dramatically-- from 200 attendees in 1995 to 250 in 1996, and 375 attendees in 1997 and over 400 in 1998. In the last couple of years attendance has stabilized at around 250-300 each year.
What kind of instruments do people bring?
The NSP will see virtually every kind of optical aid used by amateur astronomers today. Everything from the unaided eye (that's right – you don't need a telescope to view and appreciate the stars) and common binoculars, to behemoths nearly a full meter in diameter. Many will be home-made, both rough hewn and finely crafted. Some will be computer controlled while others will be tugged across the sky by hand. You can expect to see sketching, conventional film astrophotography, as well as the latest CCD (Charge Coupled Device) digital imaging systems being employed to record observations. You do NOT need to own a telescope to attend NSP. There are more than enough people who are willing to share their views with interested newcomers.
What events are planned?
Several events are planned to complement the nightly observing. The most popular is a Niobrara canoeing and tubing trip. The Niobrara river is a vacation destination in its own right, being recognized as one of America's great scenic rivers. Other events include a day of speaker programs for the astronomical community, an enhanced Childrens Program, social downtime, a public viewing night, and several observation contests. The Valentine area offers its own share of activities such as shopping and museum visits, a major wildlife refuge, the nearby Rosebud Reservation casino and excellent fishing and water sports at Merritt Reservoir.
What's the difference between amateur and professional astronomers?
Amateur astronomers view the heavens for personal enjoyment whereas professionals are performing a scientific study to answer specific questions. Amateurs are more likely to engage in viewing for its aesthetic qualities or to overcome a recreational challenge. Professionals are more likely to emphasize quantitative measurements and repeatability. Having said that, there is no clear line between amateur and professional astronomers per se. Many amateurs make significant scientific contributions such as comet discoveries or asteroid measurements, and many professionals are exhuberant members of local astronomy clubs. Virtually all of the people at NSP consider themselves amateur astronomers.
What's the difference between astronomy and astrology?
Astronomy can be either the scientific observation of the universe for the purpose of increasing our knowledge of it, or recreational observation for personal enjoyment. Astrology is the plotting of apparent planetary positions against birth date and location for the purpose of foretelling the future. Virtually everyone who undertakes astronomical observation considers astrology to be either an obsolete pseudoscience (akin to divining guidance from reading entrails or tea leaves), amusing folklore not to be taken seriously, or an outright fraud when practiced for profit.
What is the Perseid Meteor Shower?
The Perseid meteor shower (named for the constellation Perseus because the shower appears to emanate from that region of the sky) is one of the year’s most active meteor showers. Every year from August 9-17, the Earth passes through a fairly broad cloud of debris left in the wake of Comet Swift-Tuttle. Most of the debris particles are the size of grains of sand, although some can be several inches to several feet in diameter. When the debris particles hit the atmosphere (at 59km per second), they burn up in a flash of light. Some leave luminescent trails called "trains." The best time to witness the shower is in the early morning, around 2am, when the leading edge of the Earth is aimed straight into the debris cloud. NSP takes place shortly before the peak of the Perseids each year, and attendees are almost certain to see some meteor activity in conjunction with their observations.