MSP-13

 We are proud to announce our 2023 Annual Michiana Star Party.

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

Notice: Standard Covid-19 precautions will be observed per current CDC and local government requirements.

Dates: May 19th, 2023 - May 21st, 2023

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

Theme: Return to the Moon

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.

 

Cost: 2023 prices

Pre-registration fees: (Closed)

Adult non-member $35
Adult MAS member $25
Under 18 Free 

At the Gate registration fees:

Adult non-member $40
Adult MAS member $25
Under 18 $10
Daily pass $10 - 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:

  Notice: The past few star parties the park has charged us for electricity. If you hook up your camper, trailer or RV to the parks electricity, we will pass these costs on to you.

 Speakers:

Friday:
8:00 PM
 Robert Parrish, TK Lawless Park Commissioner - Eclipse Astrophotography
After Sunset  - Jim Hopkins - Tonight’s Constellations

Saturday:
11:00 AM Jim Hopkins - Telescopes across the EM Spectrum
1:00  PM  - Dr. Timothy Beers - Deaths of the First Stars
2:30  PM  - Dr. Shane Larson - The Women of the Harvard Computers and the Birth of Modern Astronomy

Information:

For additional information about attending the MSP2023 star party, contact Ruth Craft.

For additional information about becoming a vendor or making a donation to the MSP2023 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 12:00 p.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!

Please no use of laser pointers after 11:30PM

  Refreshments:  Complimentary Coffee, Tea, Hot Chocolate and Bottled Water at the Pavilion.

MSP2023  t-shirts fees: (Closed)

All t-shirt pre-orders must be received by the end of day Monday April 24th, 2023.

Sizes S-XL $20
Sizes 2XL and above $25

Note: A small number of t-shirts will be available at the star party.

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

 Three Rivers

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

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

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

Farmhouse Café & Bakery, located within Bullseye Market, 59283 White Temple Road, Three Rivers, MI

Frankie's By The Tracks, 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

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

Burger King, 1026 W Michigan Ave, Three Rivers, MI 49093 - (269) 278-6605

Culver's, 610 US-131, Three Rivers, MI 49093 - (269) 858-3635

Hank's Tavern on the River, 601 W Hoffman St, Three Rivers, MI 49093 - (269) 279-9800

Kelsey Block Brewing Company, 41 N Main St, Three Rivers, MI 49093 - (269) 718-3667

Landmark Taphouse and Grille, 21 N Main St, Three Rivers, MI 49093 - (269) 858-3066

Pizza Hut, 401 W Michigan Ave, Three Rivers, MI 49093 - (269) 273-3035

Sams Place, 60495 Lutz Rd, Three Rivers, MI  49093 - (269)278-3095

Tokyo Steakhouse & Sushi, 728 S US Hwy 131, Three Rivers, MI 49093 - (269) 273-6688

Sturgis:

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

King Dragon Buffet1128 S Centerville Rd, Sturgis, MI 49091 - (269) 659-9998

Wendy's,

Culver's

McDonald's

Little Caesar's

Applebee's

Cosmos

Mikes Pizza and Sub Carry Out

Corner Cafe

El Taco Loco

DaVinci's

Maria's Mexican

Cottage Inn Pizza

Taco Bell

Pizza Hut

El Sembrado

Buffalo Wild Wings

Biggby Coffee

Dairy Queen

Wings, Etc.

Jones, MI:

Pub 60 Grille - Address: 12355 M-60, Jones, MI 49061 (269) 858-3239

Cassopolis:

Georges 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

The Holden Green Tavern, 159 S Broadway St, Cassopolis, MI 49031 - (269) 449-4046

McDonald's, 717 E State St, Cassopolis, MI 49031 - (269) 445-5505

Stone lake bar and grill, 135 S Broadway St, Cassopolis, MI 49031 - (269) 228-8096

Subway, 1101 E State St M60, Cassopolis, MI 49031 - (269) 445-5455

, 220 S. Broadway St, Cassopolis, MI 49031 - (269) 445-3837

Area Hotels, Motels, and Campgrounds:

It is important to note the MSP12 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

Spartan Motel

Travelodge by Wyndham Sturgis

Voyager's Inn Bed & Breakfast

Jones, MI:

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

Niles, MI:

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

Golden Eagle Motel

Hampton Inn Niles

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Niles, an IHG Hotel4.2(381)

Quality Inn & Suites Niles

Dowagiac, MI:

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

 Previous Michiana Star Parties:

MSP12 (2022)

MSP11

MSP10

MSP9

MSP8

Door Prizes:

2023 Door Prize items and other materials are being donated by:

Door Prizes and other materials donated by:

 

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

Links to the companies web pages can be found on the MSP8MSP9, MSP10 MSP11 and MSP12 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.