Registration Required!
Come out for a spooky night under the stars with the ghosts and goblins of the Austin Astronomical Society! Wear a costume and trick or treat before this event in the campground! (please no lights on your costumes in the Star Theater!)
The stars at night are big and bright! Come see them even better with expert and amateur astronomers alike! The public is invited to safely observe the sky using electronically-assisted astronomy setups. We’ll have astronomy talks, telescopes, and constellation tours. Bring your binoculars if you have them, and we’ll help you use them to observe. PLEASE READ BELOW:
- You will need two things to attend this event. An email registration, and a normal Day Pass. (Campers check last paragraph below for instructions)
- Email to Register – Email your name, and number of people you will be bringing to Stephen.Garmon@tpwd.texas.gov
- Day Pass- Free with the Texas State Park Pass, or $6 per adult. Required to enter the park normally. You can purchase these online at our website, or pay at the park using exact cash change.
- Once you have an email confirmation and your day pass, you may attend the event.
- The Star Theater is located in the same area as the Wildlife Viewing area (bird blinds) and the equestrian trailheads. Parking is available in the field behind the bird blinds.
- Please no lights or cell phones once you enter the viewing area. Each time you look at your cell phone or a blueish light you lose your night vision for up to 40 minutes. This makes it very hard to see the stars even with a telescope!
- If you bring a flashlight, make sure it's a soft red light or has a red filter on it. Normal lights can mess up your natural night vision and interfere with the telescopes.
- Dogs will NOT be allowed in the viewing area, but are allowed in the parking lot.
- No Smoking in the viewing area. Smoking allowed in the parking lot.
- Many of the telescopes/equipment are owned and operated by these astronomers, so please don't touch the equipment unless it's OK with them. Walk on up to any of the scopes and ask what they're looking at! They'll all be happy to share.
- This event is weather permitting. If it's just cloudy we'll still be out there, but rain will force us to cancel the event. Look for updates on our Facebook page.
- Do you want to bring your own stargazing equipment? You are welcome to! However you must have the same email confirmation and day pass as other attendees to enter the Star Party area. If you want to volunteer your equipment just as the other Astronomers are, please contact Stephen.Garmon@tpwd.texas.gov to apply as a volunteer.
- Camping with us that night? If you already have reservations to camp overnight, you won’t need either the ticket or day pass! Just present your camping permit to the event staff to get free entry!
