SAS volunteers organize four public star parties each month: the ongoing historic events at Green Lake and Paramount Park in Seattle and now two new star parties at Covington Community Park and at the Green River Natural Resources Area in south King County. These free, public star parties are open to people of all ages and backgrounds, including children and families. The four events offer to all the opportunity for telescopic viewing of sky objects as well as educational interaction between experienced, knowledgeable astronomers and people who may have limited or minimal understanding of astronomy. A typical star party gathering features observing through at least two or more different types of telescopes provided by SAS volunteers along with the opportunity to ask questions, to discuss the observation process, and to learn about many astronomical topics: solar system objects, deep space objects, constellations, types of telescopes, and any other topic of interest.

 

These star parties are scheduled each month for the Friday and Saturday evenings closest to the first quarter moon, with three star parties scheduled for Saturday evenings and one for Friday evenings. The time for beginning each star party varies due to seasonal changes in sunset times. Also, if weather turns out to be unfavorable for observing, a cancellation notice for the affected star party will be posted on the SAS site and in the Through the Clouds SAS forum. Anyone planning to attend a star party should prepare to bring warm clothing and should always check these sites for possible notice of cancellation before traveling to a star party, especially the south King County star parties. And check the SAS calendar for the future dates of all star parties but especially the new south King County events next scheduled for later this month on Nov. 24 and 25.