Star Party Schedule

  
     
       
    SMAS members at Unicoi CrestSMAS primarily frequents three locations for star parties. These locations include Unicoi Crest (UC) on the Cherohala Skyway, overlooks on the Foothills Parkway near Look Rock (LR #1, LR #4, etc.), and Tamke-Allan Observatory (TAO) near Kingston, Tennessee.

Our Cherohala Skyway and Foothills Parkway locations are at a higher altitude than the surrounding valley. Therefore be prepared for road grades (up and down) and lower temperatures. If attempting your first visit it may be advisable to try to arrive before dark. Ensure your vehicle is in good working order and be careful not to overuse your brakes. If you are bothered by mosquitoes, dress appropriately and/or bring bug spray.Sasquatch at UC!

Unicoi Crest is at 4500+ feet altitude and can be several degrees colder than the valley. This can be truly welcome during the hot and hazy days of summer. However, always bring a jacket and long pants no matter the time of year.

Members can choose to arrive at their time of choice. By convention, our star parties begin at dusk and continue for as long as members care to observe. SMAS does not cancel star parties except by notification through our private Yahoo group. If the weather is poor, we simply do not attend. If the weather is questionable, members should coordinate with each other as to their preferences for attending.
 

Star Party Etiquette

  • Bring a red flashlight and avoid using any white light after dark. SMAS members have red filter material available for purchase at 1 cent per square inch.
  • Get to know the lighting controls for your vehicle and ensure as little white light as possible shines from your vehicle. If you cannot control the lights, choose to park as far away from the telescopes as practical.
  • Carefully enter the observing location. Speeding into a parking area full of telescopes and observers is a recipe for an accident.
  • If you bring bug spray, please choose to apply the spray before arriving or at a distance from telescopes. Sprays can coat the expensive optics and are difficult to remove.
  • Our members welcome visitors and enjoy showing off the night sky, however please be considerate and ask. Do not use an unattended scope that does not belong to you without permission.
  • Please do not smoke near other member's telescopes.
Date Moon Phase* Location
Apr 5, 2008 New Unicoi Crest and TAO
Apr 12, 2008 First Qtr Look Rock #1
May 3, 2008 New - 2 days Unicoi Crest and TAO
May 10, 2008 New + 5 days Townsend Visitor Center
May 31, 2008 New - 3 days Unicoi Crest
June 7, 2008 New + 4 days Look Rock #1 and TAO
June 21, 2008 Last Qtr SMAS Annual Picnic at TAO
July 5, 2008 New + 2 days Unicoi Crest
July 12, 2008 First Qtr + 2 days Look Rock #1
Aug 2, 2008 New + 1 day Unicoi Crest and TAO
Aug 9, 2008 First Qtr Townsend Visitor Center
Aug 30, 2008 New Unicoi Crest
Sept 6, 2008 First Qtr Look Rock #1 and TAO
Sept 27-28, 2008 New SMAS Group Camp at Big South Fork/Bandy Creek E1
Oct 4, 2008 First Qtr Cades Cove w/ NPS (tentative)
Oct 25, 2008 New - 3 days Unicoi Crest
   
           
 

The above dates or locations are subject to change. Please check often for changes. 
Last minute coordination will be handled through the club's private Yahoo group.

When more than one location is listed, SMAS members 
opt to attend either locale as convenient.

* Dates near a new Moon are preferred for observing as a bright
Moon interferes with observing deep sky objects.