Join us for the
Eldorado Star Party
November 1-7, 2010
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.
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 2009 was held October 12-18. 170 attendees had a great time under dark
autumn skies!
See our Orientation Page , Site Map, and Photos of ESP 2008, more ESP 2008 and and ESP 2004
Click here to see our 2009 Schedule, including Guest Speakers.
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!
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 2009 guest speakers included Ron Keating, from LaPlace, Louisiana speaking on Fighting Dew, and Robert Reeves, from San Antonio speaking on Why Aren't You Imaging Yet?.
Doorprizes will be awarded on Saturday afternoon (must be present to win). Please thank these generous ESP 2009 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.)
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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!
