Mingo Creek Park will be open for Muzzleloader and Archery Hunting from Dec 26, 2017 through Jan 13, 2018. Often our star party guests equate open gates with a star party. This time of year that is not true. Beginning Friday, Dec 22 the Park Staff will leave all park gates (including Shelter 10 gate) open for the duration of the time hunting is permitted. Please avail yourself of hunting season safety considerations such as described here and here. Members and their invited guests who may visit the Mingo Observatory hill be reminded of the hunting activity even into twilight.
AAAP News
AAAP 2018 Schedule of Observatory Star Parties
More on Star Parties here.
Mingo 2018 Star Party Dates: April 21, May 18 & 19, June 8 & 9, July 20 & 21, Aug 11 & 18, Sept 7 & 8, Oct 6 & 20, Nov 3 Note: 11/17/2017 Update
Mingo 2018 Brochure coming soon. Special Hotel Rates have been negotiated for 2018 Mingo Star Party Dates. See Document here.
Wagman 2018 Star Party Dates: Apr 20 & 21; May 18 & 19; Jun 22 & 23; Jul 20 & 21; Aug 17 & 18; Sep 15 & 29; Oct 13 & 27; Nov 10 2018
Wagman 2018 Brochure coming soon.
Observatory Star Parties resume in April 2018. In the meantime follow AAAP Facebook and the AAAP Calendar for announcements of star gazing events scheduled at parks, libraries or other locations. Enjoy free fascinating and informative, cutting edge lectures in association with our monthly meetings held 7:30 PM on the 2nd Friday,* January through May and September through November held at the Carnegie Science Center. *Note the January 2018 Meeting will be on Friday, January 5, 2018. Actually, the January 5, 2018 AAAP Monthly Meeting in addition to the 7:30 PM lecture, includes a 6:30 – 7:30 PM Meet and Greet with Star Gazing at the Carnegie Science Center’s Rooftop Observatory.
Amazon Smile: You Shop, Amazon Gives to AAAP
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. A simple designation of Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh as your favorite charity lets you shop while Amazon gives and AAAP benefits. Thank you!
2017 AAAP Kevin J. Brunelle Astrophotography Contest Slide Show(s)
Congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who submitted photos and endeavored to make the contest possible.
Download the winners only (30 MB):
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1kxZ0aFp3dNZ585shO8gxkfoHiSON3BvN
Download the full show (122 MB):
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1snVejnxBPCN_kTiDZuq38EDye_9ZT6eG
Cancelled – Mingo Creek Park Observatory Star Party, Saturday, November 11, 2017
Cancelled Due to a Power Outage
The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh invites you to the Saturday, November 11, 2017 Mingo Creek Park Observatory Star Party, inside Mingo Creek County Park, Mansion Hill Extension, past Shelter 10,Washington County, PA. Phone #: 724-348-6150. In case of inclement weather, check the website www.3ap.org or Facebook Page for a cancellation notice .
Safe solar observing: 3:30 PM Night sky observing: ~5:30 PM
Come and learn about the Mingo Creek Park Observatory, the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh and astronomy in general. There will be safe observing of the Sun on the 4” Lunt telescope. After dusk come and observe the wonders of the night sky. Planets observed may include views of Saturn with its rings. Many deep sky objects may also be observed such as the Ring Nebula and other nebulae, clusters and double stars. Presentations about current events in astronomy and the Mingo Creek Park night sky will take place in the Richard Y. Haddad Planetarium at various times throughout the evening.
The Mingo Creek Park Observatory is handicap accessible. Mingo Creek Park Observatory is operated by an all-volunteer staff of members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh. There is no charge for your visit, but we gladly accept donations to cover operating expenses. There is no reservation needed and there is no limit on group sizes.
NOTE: Mingo Creek Park Observatory and its grounds, as a part of Mingo Creek County Park, are a no smoking and no alcohol permitted area.
Special Rates Lodging Rates are available for the Mingo Star Parties here through Washington County Tourism Promotion Agency.
November 11 Mingo Star Party concludes the Mingo 2017 Star Party Season and is the final observatory star party of the AAAP 2017 Star Party Schedule. The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh thanks you for support our 2017 observatory events. Next year’s dates are listed at the end of this post and on the website .
AAAP 2018 Schedule of Observatory Star Parties
Mingo 2018 Star Party Dates: April 21, May 18 & 19, June 8 & 9, July 20 & 21, Aug 11 & 18, Sept 7 & 8, Oct 6 & 20, Nov 3 Note: 11/17/2017 Update
Wagman 2018 Star Party Dates: Apr 20 & 21; May 18 & 19; Jun 22 & 23; Jul 20 & 21; Aug 17 & 18; Sep 15 & 29; Oct 13 & 27; Nov 10
Annual AAAP Astrophotography Contest and November 10, 2017 Meeting of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh
The Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh will meet at 7:30 PM, Friday, November 10, 2017, Allegheny Observatory, 159 Riverview Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15214 . The meeting program is the Annual AAAP Kevin J. Brunelle Astrophotography Contest. Review the images in a stunning presentation. Members vote. Winners announced at the meeting and online.