Mid Atlantic Star Party

The Mid Atlantic Star Party (MASP) was an annual regional gathering of amateur astronomers (star party) held each fall around October near Robbins, North Carolina.

OrganizationMid Atlantic Star Party (MASP)
LocationNorth Carolina
Coordinates35.436609°N 79.550319°W / 35.436609; -79.550319 (Site of Mid Atlantic Star Party observational astronomy event)
Altitude472'
WeatherVariable weather - clear dark night skies
EstablishedOctober 1, 1995 (1995-10-01)
WebsiteMid Atlantic Star Party
Location of Mid Atlantic Star Party

History

First held in 1995, MASP is located in one of the darkest spots along the eastern U.S. coast and is the largest annual gathering of amateur astronomers between Vermont's Stellafane and Florida's Winter Star Party.[1]

The party went on hiatus in 2020.

Modern times

With attendance usually numbering in the hundreds,[2] MASP was held at the Occoneechee Council Boy Scout camp for the first decade of operation before scheduling conflicts forced a site change.[3][4] The star party has become a focus of the town of Robbins' economic and cultural planning process[5] and has spurred the creation of a regional "dark park" to control light pollution.[6]

A panoramic view of the main observing field at the 2001 Mid Atlantic Star Party during the day.

References
  1. "About MASP". Mid-Atlantic Star Party. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
  2. Walsh, S. Kirk (23 September 2005). "AHEAD; Star Parties". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
  3. rohan, singh (5 December 2018). "Robbins Seeks New Site for Star Party". Let me shout. Retrieved 2018-12-05.}
  4. Chappell, John (12 September 2006). "Robbins Star Party Here to Stay". Southern Pines Pilot. Archived from the original on 7 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
  5. Chappell, John (17 October 2006). "Robbins Sets Plans For STEP". Southern Pines Pilot. Archived from the original on 28 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-23.
  6. "Dark Park". DarkPark.Org. Retrieved 2007-03-23.


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