Star Party

The Star Party returns on Saturday, September 6 and, for the first time, will be held at Blow-Me-Down Farm.

This annual fall event for the whole family is made possible by volunteers from the Springfield Telescope Makers of the Stellafane Observatory in Springfield, Vermont. The event is free and all particpants are encouraged to bring warm clothes and a flash-light (red-light perferred). Please note the events will take place at Blow-Me-Down Farm (located on Beaman Road off of NH Route 12A) and NOT at 139 St. Gaudens Rd.

Events and Activities

Evening nature walk with environmental educator Dawn Dextraze
Experience how the park comes alive at dusk.
7:00pm - 7:30pm

Ongoing family activities including constellation crafts, lawn games, nature activities
Find out if you have owl ears and become a Junior Ranger!
7:30pm - 8:30pm

Astronomy presentation by the Springfield Telescope Makers
Prepare to see deep-sky objects such as galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and planet.
7:30pm - 8:30pm

Telescope viewing with the Springfield Telescope Makers
Peer into the depths of the night sky.
8:30pm - 9:30pm

Stargazing Etiquette

Attending a night sky viewing event comes with some etiquette conventions that may be unfamiliar to first-time attendees but which enhance viewing conditions for everyone. Most importantly, bright, white lights are discouraged at night sky viewing events; bright lights ruin your night vision and the night vision of those around you. Attendees are encouraged to acquire and bring a red-light flashlight or a flashlight with a red lens or with a red piece of plastic covering the bulb. The park will have a limited number of red glow sticks for those without a red flashlight. Even with red lenses, use your light sparingly; on a clear night, your eyes will adjust quickly to the dark conditions. It is also important to remember that telescopes are expensive and that many of the telescopes at this event are hand-crafted and difficult to replace. Please follow the instructions of the STM member staffing the scope you are looking through. And finally, ask lots of questions. The amateur astronomers who are bringing their telescopes to this event love the night sky and sharing it with others.

About the Springfield Telescope Makers

The Springfield Telescope Makers is a club founded by amateur telescope maker Russell Porter in 1923. The club is devoted to promoting the practice of crafting high-quality telescopes by amateur astronomers. The club owns and maintains the Stellafane Observatory on Breezy Hill in Springfield, Vermont, at which it offers free mirror-grinding workshops in the winter months and hosts the annual Stellafane Convention of amateur telescope builders and night sky enthusiasts in the summer.

About Blow-Me-Down Farm

Blow-Me-Down Farm is a section of Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park located along the Connecticut River. The property served the Beaman family's rural retreat and an important social center for the Cornish Art Colony. In 2010, 42.6-acres of the original estate was transferred to the National Park Service and is now open for special events like the Star Party. It is located on Beaman Drive off of NH Route 12A.