Last revised: March 9, 2007

SCHEDULE

FRIDAY 16^TH

2:00 pm Observation field open for set up

5:55 pm Sunset red-light rules in effect*

7:00 pm Public viewing begins*

7:00 pm Janet Howard “Update on the Stardust Project” (Cascade Room/Bad weather)

8:00 pm Movie (Cascade room/bad weather)

10:00 pm Public viewing ends*

* on observation field

Saturday 17^th

^{CASCADE ROOM}

10:00 am TSSP attendee’s participation hour: club intros, show & tell, Vendors, etc.

11:00 am Terry Alford “ Star Hopping for Binoculars & small telescopes”

11:30 am Bob Smith “The Moon is not just a four letter word”

12:00 pm Lunch

1:00 pm to 1:50 pm Paul Lewis “JPL Ambassador news & updates”

2:00 pm to 2:50 pm Dr. Tim Farris “The Phenomena of everday Astronomy”

3:00 pm to 3:50 pm Dr. Robert Knop “Why was Einstein wrong?’ is the wrong question”

4:00 pm Dr. David James “Darwinism in the Heavens: Open Clusters as

Tracers of Stellar Evolution”

5:00 pm Dinner

5:56 pm Sunset red-light rules in effect *

7:00 pm Jonn Serrie “Concert” on observation field (Cascade room/bad weather)

(Public invited to concert)

8:00 pm Randall Smart “Lore & Tour of the night sky” * (Cascade Room/Bad/weather)

9:00 pm Movie (Cascade Room/bad weather)

10:00 pm Public viewing ends

* on observation field

Sunday 18^th

11:00 pm check out

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If you have questions please contact:

Lloyd Watkins

watkinslk@comcast.net

615-824-3005

Allen Ball

mistal@bellsouth.net

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Programs are entry level to professional level. There will be no registration fee. Your only cost for the event will be lodging and food. Make your own reservation with Fall Creek Falls Inn or you may camp in the park. (1-800-250-8610)

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The purpose of TSSP is a gathering of like-minded individuals to learn, share, and experience Astronomy under dark skies. There is no cost for this event; other than food and lodging which each participant may arrange directly with the park service. Fall Creek Falls State Park has created a special star party package for lodging at the Inn and will offer group camping. (see more information below) You will find this special offer very affordable. No camping or RVs will be allowed on the observing field but nearby camping areas, cabins and rooms in the Inn are available.

Fall Creek Falls State Park is among the premier parks in Tennessee with a very dark sky, 1850 ft. elevation, and 22,000 acres of prime forest, streams, and lakes. There are miles of hiking trails, a beautiful 256 foot waterfall, and many other amenities. Oh, did we mention how dark the skies are?

TSSP is open to all who are interested in astronomy and will begin Friday evening with open observing. A star party schedule, park map, and red light rules will be available at the lobby of the Inn. Red light rules will apply and red cellophane will be available on the viewing field. There will be no registration, all services and activities will be on a first come first served basis. As always, the public will be free to visit us on the field for viewing.

Come and enjoy a wonderful weekend of astronomy and outdoor activities!

As we continue to develop details we will update everyone on this website. In the meantime, please feel free to contact Lloyd Watkins at watkinslk@comcast.net or Allen Ball at mistal@bellsouth.net to volunteer your assistance or ask questions.

The Fall Creek Falls website is: http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/FallCreekFalls/

The observing field is located at approximately 35.655296° (North) Latitude, -85.371490° (West) Longitude

A “Clear Sky Clock” has been built for Fall Creek Falls State Park (Thanks Mr. Danko!)

You can see a satellite image of the location by clicking “here”

A map of the Park showing location of observing field can be found “here”

You can research events occurring in the night sky over Fall Creek Falls State Park via this “Heavens-Above link”.

The Fall Creek Falls website is: http://www.state.tn.us/environment/parks/FallCreekFalls/

Weekend Star Party Bed and Breakfast Package as presented by the Park Service. Please call the park at 1-800-250-8610 for more information.

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TSSP2007 OBSERVING FIELD RULES

1. Red light rules will be in effect from sun down to sun up. We will have red cellophane, rubber bands, and tape available at the coffee/warming tent. No white lights permitted. If you must leave during this time you must red cellophane any white light source and be escorted off of the field by red light.

2. Public is defined as anyone who is only visiting the observing field, has no astronomy equipment on the field, and is not with someone or part of a group on the field with astronomy equipment. Public visiting is permitted from 7:00pm to 10:00pm on Friday and 8:15pm to 11:00pm on Saturday. Most of the public will be transported from the Inn via Park Service vans, however, some may drive. They are not permitted to drive onto the observing field and must park along the road.

3. The observing field is not a designated camping area. No tents, motor homes, or travel trailers will be permitted; however, participants with astronomy equipment may park on the observing field all night at their viewing site. You may bring food/snacks but no cooking is permitted. Cars, pickup trucks, vans, and utility trailers, used to carry astronomy equipment, are permitted. You may use the comforts and utility of these permitted vehicles.

4. There will be a warming tent with coffee, hot chocolate, and heat source located in the middle of the field.

5. Once public viewing is over a cable will be placed at the entry of the viewing field and will be lowered only to allow exiting of vehicles.

There will be no AC power available on the observing field.

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Last revised: March 9, 2007