We are proud to announce our 2024 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 3rd, 2024 - May 5th, 2024
Time: Friday 3:00PM - Sunday 12:00 Noon Note: All times specified are Eastern.
Theme:
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: 2024 prices
Pre-registration fees:
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:
After Sunset - Jim Hopkins - Tonight’s Constellations
Saturday:
11:00 AM - Melissa F Kaelin - Chasing the Aurora in the Great Lakes Region
1:00 PM - Dr. Peter Garnavich - The Attraction of Observing Magnetic Cataclysmic Variable Stars
2:30 PM - Dr. Shane Larson - STAR LIGHT, STAR BRIGHT Discovering the secret lives of the stars
6:00 PM - Kurt Eberhardt - Asteroid Impact Structures of Indiana and Michigan & Club History
Information:
For additional information about attending the MSP2024 star party, contact Michael Hensley.
For additional information about becoming a vendor or making a donation to the MSP2024 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.
MSP2024 t-shirts fees:
All t-shirt pre-orders must be received by the end of day Monday April 22th, 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 Buffet, 1128 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
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
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Niles, an IHG Hotel4.2(381)
Dowagiac, MI:
Baymont Inn & Suites - Address: 29291 Amerihost Dr, Dowagiac, MI 49047 Phone:(269) 782-4270
Door Prizes:
2024 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 MSP8, MSP9, MSP10, MSP11, MSP12 and MSP13 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.