Join us for the
Eldorado Star Party
October 27-November 2, 2008
Join us for the
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Come visit the Eldorado Star Party! Just for amateur astronomers who want dark skies and a protected environment on the 7,100 acre X-Bar Ranch near Eldorado, Texas.
New for 2008! Observe at ESP up to 2 days earlier, starting Monday! Come set up your telescope early to enjoy more of our dark skies. While camping and RV sites will be available for early occupancy, the registration desk and catered meals will be starting on Wednesday as usual.
Sponsored by the Austin Astronomical Society with the support of the Texas Star Party, and volunteers from area clubs including San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston, this event promises to bring dark skies closer to the amateur astronomer. The central location (46 miles west of Fort McKavett) is within easy driving distance of many Texas cities (Map), and enjoys the dry climate of west Texas.
The site is 8 miles north of Interstate-10 (Click here for Area Map), and has a convenient all-weather road and parking area at the observing fields. Camping and RVs available on-site. Hot-water showers and toilet facilities are conveniently located near the camping areas. Specially-priced motel rooms are available in nearby Sonora and Ozona. X-Bar also has a few cabins located a short walk away. Lunch and dinner will be catered at X-Bar's nearby Live Oak Lodge.
ESP 2003 was held October 22-25, 2003. Our 119 attendees had a great time under dark autumn skies!
ESP 2004 was held October 13-16, 2004 with 129 attendees registered.
ESP 2005 was held November 2-5, 2005 with 130 attendees registered.
ESP 2006 was held October 18-21, 2006 with 166 attendees registered.
ESP 2006 was held October 10-14, 2007 with 121 attendees registered.
Click here to see our 2008 Schedule.
The observing areas include power for telescopes and equipment, and is organized so
that you may drive on-off from the nearby light-shielded parking area at night without
impacting the observers on the fields. Please read the
Darkout rules!
Sunset is approx 6:55 PM CDT, sunrise at 7:53 AM CDT, and New Moon is on
Tuesday. Moonset is 8:37 PM on Friday, and 9:27 PM on Saturday.
Click here for our Site Map. Latitude 30.7327778 N, Longitude 100.8256389 W
Visit our ClearSky webpage, which includes topo and aerial maps!
Vendors are welcome to set up adjacent to the observing field and are allowed one sign/banner for advertising.
Our ESP 2007 guest speakers included James Bunnell, speaking on the Marfa Lights phenomena, and Dan Lester, Research Fellow at UT speaking on infrared astronomy.
Doorprizes will be awarded on Saturday afternoon (must be present to win). Please thank these generous ESP 2007 vendors:
A Swap Meet will be held at or near the Observing field parking lot on Friday 1:15 PM. (Moved to the Lodge, if raining.)
Please watch for the announcement of our upcoming 2008 observing programs!
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X-Bar's Live Oak Lodge is also a great place to hang out for (NEW!) wireless internet, satellite TV news, or relax on
the spacious back porch and take in the scenic Hill Country panoramic views.
Pick up a copy of the map of X-Bar's hand-made well-marked hiking/nature trails, starting at the Lodge. |
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Want something more to do? Here's a great list of other nearby places to see, including one of the most beautiful caves in the US... the Caverns of Sonora!
