Everyone is welcome to come to our star parties!

If you have a telescope but are not sure how to use it, then bring it along. If you are thinking of buying a telescope or binoculars, a star party is a good place to see a number of different types of telescopes in use and to learn which ones might appeal to you. And, it is fun to just come out and have a look!

Our members are knowledgeable and are eager to share their views through their telescopes.

 
Date:
Location:
 

Saturday, Oct. 4th

- Star Party
- Observatory Christening 
- Short Talks by Boston University Graduate Students


Join us at Paul Howell's backyard observatory for a star party!

Paul's new observatory will see first light and we have some undergraduate and graduate astronomy students from Boston University joining us as well. Some of the graduate students will give short talks on their research. Then, we will observe at what many consider one of the best times of the year - Fall. Right now the Milky Way is high in the sky and filled with lots of bright Messier objects.

Our day starts in the afternoon on Friday and goes, well, as late as it goes! Refreshements and munchies will be served. Also featured will be some not-so astronomy related things like rocket launches and maybe even a potato canon to celebrate the opening of Paul's new fully robotic observatory.

Don't miss this one, it should be a boatload of fun!




Saturday, October 18th


Southern Maine Astronomers (SMA) will be offering an evening of public solar observing and later, stargazing at the Twin Brook Recreation Area on Tuttle Road in Cumberland. Stargazing starts at dusk. 



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Past Star Parties
Saturday, August 9th
Southern Maine Astronomers (SMA) will be offering an evening of public stargazing at the Crystal Spring Farm at 277 Plesant Hill Road at the corner of Woodside Road in Brunswick starting at sunset. Join us to look through member scopes and our new BIG 15" club telescope:

 



Saturday, September 6th
Southern Maine Astronomers (SMA) will be offering an evening of public stargazing at Cape Elizabeth High School in Cape Elizabeth starting at sunset.
Saturday, November 1st

View the Sun and the Moon at the LL Bean Northern Lights Celebration!

We will be setting up at the Discovery Plaza at the L.L. Bean flagship store in Freeport. During daylight we will observe the Sun, and when night falls we will gaze through our telescopes at the Moon, maybe some planets and perhaps even a few double stars or bright nebulae (weather permitting of course).

There will be lots of other activities also, so bring the whole famliy!

.Brochure