Its that time of year again for Kent Blackwell's famous semi-annual East Coast Star Party!

The party starts on Thursday afternoon and runs through Sunday morning. Clear or not, the event is relaxed, the atmosphere is pleasant, and the cows are happy to keep us company!  In order to fuel our observing and discourage hangry astronomy, we plan to continue the revised traditions of all-night hotdogs*, a saturday night spaghetti dinner, and a Saturday afternoon cookout! 

The Back Bay Amateur Astronomers and the Chippokes State Park rangers encourage the members of the public to attend on Friday evening for the public star party. From 6-10pm, BBAA members will use their telescopes to share the night time sky with park visitors. Please feel free to ask questions and look through all of telescopes during this public outreach event.

* Note:  "All-night" is defined as "until Jeremy goes to bed," unless someone else wants to take over.

WHAT:
Fall 2025 East Coast Star Party at Chippokes State Park

WHEN:
From Thursday September 18th at 2:00 PM to the morning of Sunday, September 21st

WHERE:
Camping/observing field is within sight of the Chippokes Jones-Stewart Mansion
Chippokes State Park. 
695 Chippokes Park Rd3
Surry, VA, 23883

FEES:
Star Party Registration – One time fee of $60.

• Admission to the star party
• Observing privileges on the field
• Camping privileges on the field
• More-or-less endless hotdogs
• Friday Night Spaghetti
• Saturday afternoon cookout
• Bottomless coffee
• Access to Kent Blackwell's wit and charm

Register online https://backbayastro.org/ecsp/registration.php
Park RV sites must be reserved well in advance at https://www.reservevaparks.com/Web/Default.aspx 

Pre-registration is required by September 10th to ensure that we can have the t-shirts ready in time for star party participants. Exceptions after that date will be considered on a case-by-case basis including "day of" registrations during the event.

The rates below are for people choosing to camp at the campground. The ECSP registration cost covers your camping cost if you camp on the observing field.

Camping Rates:
Pay camping fees at Chippokes State Park

• Primitive Camping (includes tents and trailers not requiring Electric, Water or Sewage) - $20/night, per campsite.
• R/V Units with Electric & Water but no Sewage - $30/night, per campsite.
• R/V Units requiring Electric, Water & Sewage - $40/night, per campsite

Camping Amenities:

• Portable restrooms conveniently located near observing area.
• Showers and country store located on the campground site.
• You may camp near your telescope. No power is available in the observing field.

Notes:

• The sky is 20.76 mag with good views of the horizon. Observing area two large open fields south of the registration area. Just follow the “telescopes” signs.
• Please avoid arriving after dark.
• The star party ends Sunday morning, Sep 21st.

PLEASE OBEY ALL PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS

Directions:
Due to a limitation on the NSN the "Directions" feature for this location only takes you to the entrance to the park. Please use our custom Google Map to navigate to the precise location you are trying to reach. Just find the location called BBAA - ECSP and click on it: http://backbayastro.org/map.php

For a map of the observing field click here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=11UeJbvagTv0ljhT7EpJBav1cD9HrBRA&usp=sharing

If you need additional information please feel free to contact:
ECSP Committee Members: ecsp@backbayastro.org