| 9/28 UPDATE: TNSP 2003 is now history! Thanks to everyone who helped make it such a success, and we hope to see you at TNSP 2004! |
| 9/28 UPDATE: TNSP 2003 is now history! Thanks to everyone who helped make it such a success, and we hope to see you at TNSP 2004! |
Now in its fourth year, The Tennessee Star Party is an annual tradition created, organized and produced by the Barnard-Seyfert Astronomical Society. BSAS is now proud to present the TNSP 2003. By popular request we will be returning to Camp Nakanawa near Cookeville, Tennessee.
Registration is now open and will continue through September 12.
[Update: The deadline has now been extended! Send in your registration soon to ensure that it arrives before TNSP!]
Check-in will open Friday, September 26 at 8:00 AM, and checkout will end at noon on Sunday.
Programs will begin as per schedule. As per our club charter, proceeds from TNSP will be dedicated to community
outreach activities, including special programs for the education of children in astronomy and related sciences.
Camp Nakanawa, located 1,950 feet above sea level on the Cumberland Plateau, is an ideal location for the TNSP. With convenient proximity to Interstate 40, this remote location has dark skies producing a very prominent Milky Way. Camp Nakanawa has twelve hundred acres of wooded and open land plus a large clear water lake. Canoeing, paddle boating, fishing, biking, hiking, and tennis are all included in the registration fee.
The entry to beautiful Camp Nakanawa
Professional astronomers, engineers, and physicists will present a wide range of topics, from the possibility of life once existing on Mars, to space travel back to the Moon, Mars and beyond. Amateur astronomers from local clubs will hold classes on learning the night sky and how to get started in astronomy. We are planning many basic and advanced workshops. The TNSP 2003 will truly be a learning experience.
Expand your knowledge in the classes . . . then put it to use in the workshops!
Night time telescope observing is paramount at our star party. With nearly 200 acres of wide open, low horizon prime telescope viewing areas, we will observe heavenly objects till the cows come home. You are welcome to set your telescope up in the viewing field or if you don't have a telescope, just walk from scope to scope looking at whatever objects are in the field of view. BSAS will have some club telescopes, in a designated area that will be set up as part of a work shop and for general guest use. Strict red light rules will be observed by all, and red cellophane will available to cover flashlights. Bring your batteries because there will be no electricity on the telescope field. We will have porta-potties on the telescope field for your convenience.
The food is great, but be sure to save room . .
. for the all-you-can-eat skies at TNSP 2003!
There are many lodging options available. Local motels will provide lodging. You may camp next to your telescope, on the telescope field, by the lake, or any other appropriate site. Provisions will be made for special group lodging. Please let us know in advance if your group, club, or large number of friends would like to lodge in the same cabins or camp site. There will be separate cabin lodging for single male and female guests. Please let us know if you have any special needs and we will be glad to help in any way we can. Note you must supply your own bedding. The cabins have electricity only for low amperage use, such as electric shavers, battery chargers, lights, etc. Large bath houses and restroom facilities are clean and convenient.
Meals are freshly prepared, hot/cold, and delicious. We have professional cooks to prepare breakfast and dinner. These meals are served in a comfortable, roomy dining hall with plenty of seating. We have a convenient and inexpensive meal plan to serve your needs. Lunch and snacks will be available at our snack bar. For those of you choosing to eat offsite, Cookeville is only 15 miles away and has many restaurants to choose from.
This year is the year of the planets. Saturn's rings are at the best angle for viewing in years. Mars at opposition is the closest and best viewing that it has been, or will be for many years. All the planets will be visible on both nights of the TNSP, so we will have a planet viewing marathon. We will issue an official BSAS certificate for those amateur astronomers who view all eight planets while attending the TNSP 2003. You will get full information in your star party packet upon check-in.
Binoculars play a big part in amateur astronomy. Viewing large star groups is impossible in most telescopes. Locating objections within star groups with binoculars is most essential to one's quest to learn and commit to memory the more common celestial objects. Binoculars can also be used for birding, ball games, and many other terrestrial uses. Binoculars are such an essential part of amateur astronomy that we are giving special talks and doing hands on workshops with binoculars. A binocular Fall Messier Marathon will be the center piece of the binocular programs. For those who complete this marathon at the star party an official BSAS Fall Messier Marathon certificate will be awarded.
We are also making a special offer for TNSP attendees only: 10x50mm astronomical-quality binoculars for only $45. These binoculars incorporate BaK4 porroprisms, UHTC Ultra High Transmission Coatings, a large center focusing mechanism, sturdy metal construction with all-weather-resistant rubberized coating, binocular case, lens covers and strap. This is a quality binocular that many retailers would retail for more than $100. We are able to make this offer from Burgess Optical as a part of our public outreach and education program. We have a limited number of these fine binoculars and must make them available on a first come, first serve basis. Registered TNSP attendees may purchase them between now and the TNSP. You must attend at least one of the binocular programs to qualify.
In the course of the weekend's seminars, classes, workshops and other activities, there will also be drawings for door prizes. All registered attendees are eligible. To give you an idea, here are some of the prizes that have already been donated:
The Camp Nakanawa website provides a map and directions from Nashville, Knoxville, Atlanta or Birmingham.
For door-to-door directions (courtesy of Yahoo! Maps), just enter your starting location below and hit the button:
The Tennessee Star Party is a priceless experience for any amateur astronomer, but it's surprisingly inexpensive to attend.
| Age | TNSP 2003 Registration | Camping per person per night | Cabins per person per night |
| Adult (18+) | $15 | $5 | $10 |
| Teen (13-17) | $10 | $5 | $10 |
| Child (6-12) | $5 | $2 | $5 |
| Child (0-5) | free | free | free |
| TNSP 2003 Registration Form (44K PDF) | |||
You must also purchase a meal plan if you want to share the professionally-prepared meals that will be provided. These are Friday dinner, Saturday breakfast and dinner, and Sunday breakfast. Each meal is $7, regardless of age— yes, we've seen five-year-olds eat! You may choose any combination of the meals to fit your plans and budget.
Consider that an A5 (Adult Amateur Astronomer Attending Alone) who stays in a cabin and eats the prepared meals, can participate in all the classes, workshops and events for $53. A couple with a 12-year-old child who bring an RV with a cooler could do the same for $59. Think about that on your next trip to DisneyLand!
To register, just download the registration form (44K PDF), print it, complete it and mail it in with your check by the September 12 deadline. If you wish, you can download the entire TNSP2003 mailing (a whopping 1.6MB PDF) which repeats most of the information on this page.
Either way, print and send in your application SOON — you won't want to miss TNSP 2003!!
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