MSP12 - 2020
We are proud to announce our Twelfth Annual Michiana Star Party.
Hosted by the Michiana Astronomical Society (Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan)
Stay tuned, additional details will be forthcoming.
Dates: TBD
Notice 3/13/2020 - The Cass County Parks and Recreation Department has decided to cancel the star party/grand opening for Dr. Lawless Dark Sky Park that was scheduled for April 24th-26th. We plan on rescheduling the event.
Time: Friday 3:00PM - Sunday 12:00 Noon Note: All times specified are Eastern.
Theme: TBD
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:
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:
11:00 Melinda O'Malley -- Astronomy 101
1:00 Shane Larson -- MONSTERS IN THE COSMIC SEA: Black hole tales from the edge of space and time
2:30 Susan Sakimoto -- Vulcanism in the Solar System
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 MSP12 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:
2020 Door Prize items and other materials are being donated by:
MSP11 t-shirts fees:
All t-shirt pre-orders must be received by the end of day Frriday April 17th, 2020.
Sizes S-XL $TBD
Sizes 2XL and above $TBD
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
Farmhouse Café & Bakery, located within Bullseye Market, 59283 White Temple Road, Three Rivers, MI
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
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 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 and MSP11 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.