Spring is here and AAAP is gearing up for the 2018 Star Party Season! Our AAAP observatory star parties kick-off in 3 weeks with Wagman on April 20 & 21 and Mingo on April 21. We have external star party events before that. AAAP has two spring 2018 meeting dates remaining on April 13 and May 11, at Carnegie Science Center. Stay tuned and keep an eye on our Facebook Events and www.3ap.org website and calendar.
Star Party
Annual Muzzleloader and Archery Hunting at Mingo Park December 26, 2017 through January 13, 2018
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 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.
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
Wagman Star Party, Saturday, November 4, 2017
Note: As reported at 3:45 PM there was a “hopeful” clearing in Ohio and the possibility of enough clear sky to merit opening the Wagman Observatory for tonight’s Star Party. Obviously there could be a change for the better or worse. Were there to be rain or advancing adverse conditions it would not bode well for the continuance of star party plans. Feel free to check back here and AAAP Facebook or phone the observatory, 724-224-2510 for updates.
You are invited to a Star Party at the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh’s Wagman Observatory, Saturday, November 4, 2017, 6:20 PM
The Saturday, November 4, Wagman Star Party starting about 6:20 PM EDT not 6:25 as previously reported. Enjoy the views of large clusters of stars, beautiful colored double stars, visit the craters of the Full Moon and view the planets Saturn, Uranus and Neptune through the telescopes at the Observatory and much more. This star party falls on the night of the November Full Moon: 1:22 AM EDT Full; November 4, 2017 Moonrise occurs at 7:02 PM EDT; Moonset 8:17 AM EST on Sunday, November 5, 2017. Times for Pittsburgh, PA from www.timeanddate.com. Daylight saving time 2017 in Pennsylvania began at 2:00 AM on Sunday, March 12 and ends at 2:00 AM on Sunday, November 5. The November 4 Wagman Star Party concludes the Wagman 2017 Star Party Season. Next year’s dates are listed at the end of this post and on the website .
This invitation to amateur astronomers, students and the general public is part of AAAP’s annual series of star parties occurring March – November at the Wagman and Mingo Observatories. These events are family friendly. There is no charge for these events, although donations are appreciated. Read more about Star Parties here.
Regardless of your experience or ability level you will be welcome to join the throng of avid sky watchers. Perhaps you have a telescope and do not know how to use it? Bring it along and members of the AAAP will help! Likewise if you are considering a telescope purchase or the addition of accessories, star charts and books Wagman is a good place to start. Members of the AAAP will help!
The Star Parties will be held WEATHER PERMITTING. The public should call 724-224-2510 for more information. The Nicholas E. Wagman Observatory is located in Deer Lakes Regional Park, Frazer Township, Pa., near the village of Russellton in northeastern Allegheny County and some 18 miles from Pittsburgh. Coordinates: Latitude 40.627 degrees N, Longitude 79.813 degrees W. Map and Directions under the About Tab at www.3ap.org and here.
Admission is free, though we gladly accept donations to cover the cost of operation. To reach Wagman Observatory, follow the Orange Belt (accessible from Routes 8 and 28) to Deer Lakes Park, near Russellton. Follow the road through the Park for 1.2 miles and turn left on to the Observatory grounds. Please use parking lights only when you drive through the gate. In the observing rooms or near the outside telescopes please avoid use of bright lights: cell phones, white lights or flashlights, glow sticks, etc. and especially no flash photograph. There is no smoking permitted anywhere on the site. Planning for next year? Wagman Observatory’s 2018 Star Party Dates have been published.
For updates, check back here and AAAP Facebook or phone the observatory, 724-224-2510, the night of the event. Wagman Observatory Clear Sky Chart.
AAAP will hold one more 2017 Observatory Star Party following the November 4, at Wagman Observatory on November 11 at Mingo Observatory.
Our 2018 Schedule of Observatory Star Parties is available on the website as well as below.
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
Mingo 2018 Star Party Dates: Apr 21; May 11 & 12; Jun 8 & 9; Jul 20 & 21; Aug 11 & 18; Sep 14 & 15; Oct 6 & 20; Nov 3
October 28, 2017 Mingo Star Party
Star Party at Mingo Creek Park Observatory
located in Mingo Creek Park
Mansion Hill Extension, past Shelter 10
Washington County, PA. Phone #: 724-348-6150
Date: Saturday, October 28, 2017
Times: Safe solar observing; 5:00 PM – Night sky observing; approximately 7:00 PM (Weather Permitting for observing).
Planetarium Presentations will occur rain or shine.
Come and learn about the Mingo Creek Park Observatory, the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh and astronomy in general. The evening events consist of the following:
- There will be safe observing of the Sun before sunset through the 4” Lunt Hydrogen Alpha 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 night.
- In preparation for Halloween we may have some visitors from a galaxy far, far away.
The Mingo Creek Park Observatory is handicap accessible. 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.
Mingo Creek Park Observatory is operated by an all-volunteer staff of members of the Amateur Astronomers Association of Pittsburgh.