A New Location for the 2015 Connecticut Star Party

Due to an unexpected last minute change, J.N. Webster in Ashford CT is unavailable this year. For this reason registration will be starting late. After scouring the state for a suitable location, we are pleased and lucky to have the opportunity to celebrate our 25th anniversary of the Connecticut Star Party (CSP) back in the dark skies of Northwestern Connecticut. This year we will be holding CSP-25 at the Edmund D. Strang Scout Reservation in Goshen, CT on the weekend of October 9-11, 2015.

Camp Strang offers three different observing locations to choose from, all with beautiful dark skies. Each field has its own character, and it’s up to you to choose where you want to set up.

“Brownsea Field” is similar in size to the main observing field in Ashford, but a little more hilly. This field includes showers with electric power available for field use, and a bunkhouse with a back porch for lounging during the day. The field has a good-sized flat area to set up on near the showers, and plenty of room around the field to pitch a tent.

“Dining Hall Field” does not have power available and is located between the Dining Hall and the “Training Facility” bunkhouse near the main entrance.

“Camporee Field” is the largest of all the fields. It is also the highest elevation and has the best all around horizontal views, almost to the horizon in all directions.Camporee is also the most remote and “rustic” of the three. There is no power available on Camporee, and outdoor latrines are available.

Everything is a little more spread out in this camp, with the walk from the Brownsea field to the Dinning Hall being approximately a 1/2 mile. Roughly this is the distance from the lower cabins in Ashford to the mess hall. Camporee is approximately a quarter mile from Brownsea Field, but accessible directly from West Side Road.

Your support of Connecticut Star Party has allowed us to spread the word about the wonders and beauty of astronomy to hundreds of people through our public outreach program. ASNH has observed here in the past, and based on common consensus most believe the skies are at least a mag darker than our other locations. It’s very difficult to find a good spot in our state, and we truly believe this is a good one! ASNH and the CSP Team are very grateful for your support and understanding, and we hope you’ll give this great new location a try.

Ashford will be available again next year. We look forward to seeing you all!

The ASNH Board of Directors

Register for CSP here!

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