There are three types of star parties:
1.    For convention groups
2.    For families staying in the area, or small families/individuals visiting a local B&B.
3.    For local non-profit groups or student activities such as scouts, schools, etc.

4.    We can also provide assistance and instruction in setting up new telescopes for Jackson locals, or advice on types of scopes and what to expect if planning to purchase a new scope.  Here, there are two schedules (gratuity or fee) depending on whether the person is a club member or not.

5.    Our group does on occasion for such entities as in item 4, travel outside of Jackson to places such as Yellowstone NP, Dubois, Pinedale, Afton, etc. to conduct such events.
 
    With items 1 & 2, compensation is expected while No. 3 can be without any charge depending on the entity & circumstances.  Item 5 can also be without charge, but a gratuity for travel, setup, overnight if necessary, would be appreciated.  We can come to your location or meet elsewhere depending on your situation such as nearby lighting, electrical availability, nearby obstructions such as a hotel that obscures a significant portion of the sky we'd like to observe.

    Within our group, we have an 8" Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (SCT), an 11" SCT, an 8" Newtonian, a 3.5" SCT and a pair of 10 x 70 astronomical binoculars.  Other members who participate in these events also own & bring their own 14" SCT, 10" SCT, 6" SCT, as well as other binoculars & instruments.  Each event is different with regard to whom participates and who brings what equipment.  Star parties for small groups generally only require one astronomer (all in our group participating are accomplished amateurs), whereas convention groups usually require 3 to 5 depending on size.  We do not recommend a star party to groups over 100 people, but we have done them as most of those groups do not come out to participate, but many curious visitors will.  Due to conditions in the Jackson area, we have incredibly clear skies & can see an enormous number of celestial objects from the moon to diffuse nebula, from star clusters to galaxies.  However, due to temperature/snow conditions in the Jackson area, we only conduct star parties between May 15 and Oct. 15 each year.

For particulars and pricing for our star parties, click on the links for our standard informational flyer.  Again, contact Walt if you have any further questions or wish to book a date for an event.  We are the Jackson (Hole) Astronomy Club, founded in 1993.

                                                                                            Convention Groups                                            B&B visitors & Vacationing families                                                Local Groups

Walt Farmer
J(H)AC Star Party Coordinator
307.733.2173 or 690.6909
walt@jhastronomy.com