MSP11 - 2019

We are proud to announce our Eleventh Annual Michiana Star Party.

Hosted by the Michiana Astronomical Society (Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan)


Stay tuned, additional details will be forthcoming.

Dates: May 31th - June 2nd 2019

Time: Friday 3:00PM - Sunday 12:00 Noon          Note: All times specified are Eastern.

Theme: Apollo 11 - 50th Anniversary of the Moon Landing

Location:
Dr. T.K. Lawless County Park
15122 Monkey Run Street
Vandalia, MI 49095
United States

The site is about 35 miles northeast of South Bend, Indiana.

http://www.casscountymi.org/CountyParks/DrTKLawlessPark.aspx

Cost:

Pre-registration fees: *** May 27th, 2019 Pre-registration is now closed ***

Adult non-member $25
Adult MAS member $15
Under 18 Free 

At the Gate registration fees:

Adult non-member $30
Adult MAS member $15
Under 18 $10
Daily pass $5 - Come as early as you want, stay as late as you want. But no over night camping allowed with a daily pass

Star Party Fees include semi-primitave camping at the county park where the star party is being held. There are flush toilets, but no showers or electricity.

Note: All times specified are Eastern.

Star Party Flyer: 

Speakers:

Dr. Timothy Beers - University of Notre Dame Astrophysics Chair,  "Two Neutron Stars, and the Science Breakthrough of 2017"

Richard S Bell - Kalamazoo Astronomical Society President "Infinite Worlds: Searching for Extrasolar Planets"

Dr. Jonathan Crass - University of Notre Dame Professor - "Measuring the Heavens: Building Next Generation Astrophysics Instruments"

Information:

For additional information about attending the MSP11 star party, contact Ruth Craft.

For additional information about becoming a vendor or making a donation to the MSP11 star party, contact Paul Surowiec.

Map of MSP:

Star Party Guidelines:

Please arrive after 3:00 p.m. Friday, set up before dusk.
Star party ends at 11:00 a.m. Sunday.
Parking in designated parking areas.
Please: No car movement on the observing field after dark.
If you plan to leave early, please park in the Early Bird parking area with your headlights pointed away from the observing field.
There is no electricity, you must bring with what ever power you require.
Please Red flashlights only! (We will provide red cellophane to cover if required.)
Minors must be accompanied by an adult.
Dogs on leashes are allowed.
Acoustical music instruments welcome!
Inappropriate behavior will result in eviction.
Dress warmly.
Smoking permitted beyond telescope areas, downwind.
You are responsible for the security of your own belongings.
In the event of an emergency use what ever lights you need to!

Refreshments:  Complimentary coffee, hot chocolate, bottled water, popcorn, and hotdogs supplied by Michiana Astronomical Society.

Door Prizes:

2019 Door Prize items and other materials are being donated by:

Michael Rasbury (was Dark Skies Inc.)

Jim Hopkins

Paul & Eileen Surowiec

Matt Bielski

Steve Accuosti & Linda Marks

Chuck Bueter

 MSP11  t-shirts fees:

All t-shirt pre-orders must be received by the end of day Wednesday May 22th, 2019.

Sizes S-XL $18
Sizes 2XL and above $23

Restaurants, Drive-Ins and Dives near Lawless Park (Vandalia, MI)

 Three Rivers

Applebees, 1330 W Broadway St, Three Rivers, MI 49093 - (269) 273-7505

Big King Buffet, 200 Enterprise Dr, Three Rivers, MI 49093

Brewster’s Junction, 601 Hoffman St.,   - (269)279-9800 F+S: 11A-12:30A

China Buffet, 72 US Hwy 131   - (269) 278-1688 F+S: 10:30A -9:30P

Dad's Place, 1104 3rd St, Three Rivers, MI 49093

El Camino Real Rest., 1122 W. Michigan Ave. – (269) 273-7010 F+S: 11A-10P

Frankie's Pizza, 56951 N Main St, Three Rivers, MI 49093

Jack’s Pizza, 60010 Corey Lake Rd., - (269) 244-9915 F+S: 11A-10P

Happy Landings, 59640 County Line Rd., - (269) 244-5176

  • Breakfast: Sunday only, 7A-2P
  • Breakfast, lunch and dinner: F+S: 7A-8P

Main St. Cafe, 13 N Main St, Three Rivers, MI 49093

Matt & Mike's Eatery, 103 S Lincoln Ave, Three Rivers, MI 49093

Oasis Restaurant, 656 U.S. 131, Three Rivers, MI 49093 - (269) 273-4000

Paisano’s Bar & Grill, 16 N. Main St.   -   (269) 278-8525 F: 4P-10P S: 12N-10P

Sturgis:

SturgisBoundary Waters Café, 220 W. Chicago Rd., - (269) 659-8050 *closed Sunday

  • Breakfast: F+S: 9A-11A
  • Lunch: F+S: 11A-4P
  • Dinner: F+S: 4P-10P

Cassopolis:

B&E Cafe, 930 E State St, Cassopolis, MI 49031 - (269) 445-3006 - Closes at 3P

Broadway Café, 158 S. Broadway, Cassopolis, MI 49031 - (269) 445-2122 F+S: 8A-3P

Marcello's Pizza & Subs, 525 S Broadway St, Cassopolis, MI 49031 - (269) 445-3900 - F+S: 4P-10P

Smokin' Good BBQ, 208 E State St, Cassopolis, MI 49031 - (269) 445-3300 - 11A-8P

Vandalia:

Farmhouse Café & Bakery, located within Bullseye Market, 59283 White Temple Road, Vandalia, MI - (269) 476-1126

 Area Hotels, Motels, and Campgrounds:

It is important to note the MSP9 star party is held in a rural area, so hotels and motels are not located close by.

Three Rivers, MI:

Americas Best Value Inn - Address: 1211 W Broadway St, Three Rivers, MI 49093 Phone:(269) 273-8100

Holiday Inn Express - Address: 1207 W. Broadway, Three Rivers, MI 49093 Phone:(269) 278-7766

Super 8 - Address: 689 Super 8 Way, Three Rivers, MI 49093 Phone:(269) 279-8888

T&R Inn Between the Lakes - Address: 58656 Corey Lake Rd, Three Rivers, MI 49093 Phone:(269) 244-5620

Atlabsis Campground - Address: 57883 W Clear Lake Rd, Three Rivers, MI 49093

Jones, MI:

Lakeside Campground - Address: 12808 Prang Street, Jones, MI 49061 Phone:(269) 244-8490

Niles, MI:

Forler Motel - Address: 2483 Yankee St, Niles, MI 49120 Phone:(269) 684-4215

Dowagiac, MI:

Baymont Inn & Suites - Address: 29291 Amerihost Dr, Dowagiac, MI 49047 Phone:(269) 782-4270

Previous Michiana Star Parties:

MSP10

MSP9

MSP8

 Previous Star Party Door Prize items and other materials where donated by:

Links to the companies web pages can be found on the MSP8MSP9 and MSP10 web pages.

 Agena Astro Products

Abrams Planetarium

Antaires

AstroZap

Astronomy Society of the Pacific

Astronomy Magazine

Bob's Knobs

Celestron

David Chandler Company

Explore Scientific

Knightware

Losmondy

Michiana Astronomical Society

NASA

NASA - Goddard

Oberwerk

Orion Telescope & Binoculars

OPT - Oceanside Photo and Telescope

Scientifics Direct

Vixen Optics

Seymour Solar

Sky and Telescope

Starlight Instruments - Feathertouch

TeleVue

Author: Dayle L. Brown

Author: James A. Zarzana

Donations where made by the following individuals: Chuck Bueter, Jim Hopkins, Linda Marks & Steve Accuosti and Paul & Eileen Surowiec

  We are a 501c(3) non-profit organization. All contributions are tax deductible.