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News Release
Fifteenth Annual Nebraska Star Party to be Held at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area July 27th through August 1st, 2008
February 2nd, 2008
Contact: Doug Bell
402-489-8197
dougbell@navix.net
Lincoln, Nebraska – The fifteenth annual Nebraska Star Party, known as NSP15, will be held at Merritt Reservoir south of Valentine, Nebraska the week of July 27th through August 1st, 2008. Sponsored by Nebraska Star Party, Inc, a Nebraska not-for-profit corporation, NSP15 is expected to draw over 200 registrants.
The Nebraska Star Party has gained a reputation as one of the nation's premier star parties due to the extremely dark skies above the sandhills of Nebraska's vast Cherry County, as well as the many daytime recreational opportunities to be found in the Valentine area. In addition to six nights of amateur astronomical observing, scheduled events include observational challenges, an astro photo contest, speaker programs, a Beginner's Astronomy Field School course, an expanded science-oriented program for children, and a traditional Friday night viewing event for the public to be held on August 1st. Attendees will also have the opportunity to canoe or tube the nearby Niobrara River as well as enjoy the many other vacation activities available to families in the Valentine area.
The signature event of the Nebraska Star Party, which sets it apart from other astronomical gatherings around the country, is its popular Beginner's Field School, to be held Monday through Wednesday. Each day the class will focus on a different observing skill which attendees can put into practice in the field that evening. The Field School is designed to help newcomers to astronomy get started, or refresh the skills of those who may have set the hobby aside for a while. Participants will get hands-on learning each evening while practicing the skills and techniques presented during each afternoon's field school.
The Nebraska Star Party is open to anyone interested in astronomy, whether or not they own a telescope. Pre-registration is advised, however walk-in registrations are welcome during the week of the event. Registration forms are available in PDF form from the NSP website at www.nebraskastarparty.org. The cost of registration is $35 per adult and $10 for children under 12 for the entire week, when registration is received prior to June first.
On Friday night August 1st, NSP attendees will invite residents of the Valentine region to join them for a free public viewing session on the NSP observing field adjacent to the Snake Campground at Merritt Reservoir.
NOTE TO EDITORS: the NSP web site address is: http://www.nebraskastarparty.org. The site contains additional background information plus reports and photos from prior Nebraska Star Parties. The International Dark Sky Association web site is at: http://www.darksky.org for information about light pollution, the absence of which makes NSP so popular.