?Have you seen the stars tonight??
Texas Star Party, Inc. invites you, your family, friends,
astronomy clubs, and anyone curious about the wonders of our universe to join
us for the 45th Annual Texas Star Party. Come experience the breathtaking
Bortle 2 skies of the West Texas Big Bend Region. As the premier event for
amateur astronomy enthusiasts, we offer the unique advantage of onsite
accommodations to fit any budget. Whether you prefer hillside cabins, RV sites,
or camping, TSP 2025 has the perfect setup for your astronomy getaway. With
excellent amenities, services, educational programs, and activities, this will
be an unforgettable experience.?
Read on for more details!?
We apologize to those of you who are receiving this email and have already registered and booked either onsite or offsite lodging for TSP 2025. This message is being sent to all primary TSP attendee account email addresses, as well as the email list generously provided by the Astronomical League. A special thanks to the staff of the Astronomical League for their help and support.
This email contains updated information about TSP 2025 Week activities, evening speakers, and more. Please take a moment to read through and discover all the exciting plans our TSP staff is working on to ensure your TSP 2025 astronomy vacation is an enjoyable and memorable experience.?
TEXAS STAR PARTY
2025: The Premier Amateur Astronomy Event!?
? Mark Your Calendars for TSP 2025!?
Dates: April 20th ¨C 27th, 2025
Location: Prude Guest Ranch, Near McDonald Observatory, Big Bend Region?
Get ready for an unforgettable experience under the stars at
TEXAS STAR PARTY 2025! This 7-night event promises a stellar time
for amateur astronomers, astrophotographers, and astronomy enthusiasts of all
levels and ages.?
If you have not already "Booked" you attendance and onsite lodging for TSP 2025. please Book Now!?
Onsite venue accommodations at Prude Guest Ranch are going fast.??
New starting with TSP 2025, TSP has implemented a new Booking System for ?you to register and to also choose your onsite (Prude Guest Ranch) lodgings.?
To make your purchase for your attendance to TSP 2025 and to select your Prude Guest Ranch lodging on TSP¡¯s new Booking System by clicking on this link. BOOK NOW! FOR TSP 2025 Star Party Event by clicking on this link.?
Please note that all offsite lodgings selections are not included in the TSP 2025 Booking System. You must choose your own offiste lodgings.
Why Attend TSP 2025? ?
- This is Texas Star Party, Inc's 45th Texas Star Party
- Come and join us on Opening Sunday for lunch.
- We are serving hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and a beverage
- Come and celebrate with all of us!
- Special 45th star party prize maybe prizes :) and you won't know if you don't attend. (I do mean "Special"!)
- And you must be present to win!
- TSP staff deploys an electrical power grid on all 3 observing fields.
- ?TSP Onsite Security
- TSP Communications Center
- TSP staff carry communication equipment to assist you when needed
- Free TSP 2025 Star Party Tee-Shirt
- Cash Prizes for competitations
- TSP Darks Out all Venue Infrastructure
- TSP Radio for ?you listening enjoyement
- Featured Evening Guest Speakers: Larry Mitchell, David Levy, Stephanie Miliam, and Stephen J. O'Meara.
- Bortle 2 night skies
- Venue is a mile high in elevation
- Free Technical Seminars in the afternoon during TSP 2025 Week
- TSP Staff are planning all of the activities
- More activities are being researched
- Movies will be shown in the meeting hall when no presentations are being made. (Times to be determined.)
- Saturday Night Ice Cream Social after dinner (April 27, 2015)
- All you have to do is attend TSP 2025
- Accommodation for Everyone:
????You can choose the comfort of Onsite Lodging or the flexibility of Offsite Lodging?
- Over 550 attendees can join us, with: ?
- 350+ Onsite Lodging options: 41 cabins, 17 bunkhouses (over 100+ lower bunk beds), 50 RV sites, and space for 90+ individuals camping out in tents or dry camping. ?
- 200+ Offsite Lodging options in nearby Fort Davis, Alpine, Marfa and the surrounding area ?
For?lodging opportunities near to our Prude Guest Ranch Venue please see the recommendations listed below.?
??
- Prude?Guest Ranch Onsite Amenities: ?
- Restaurant-grade kitchen & dining hall (seating 150+ at the same time)?
- Meeting hall for up to 300 attendees?
- Tennis?court, swimming pool, walking trails, and horseback riding.?
- All-night snack bar (open until 4:00 AM)?
- Vendor/Sponser Hall (The Lodge Building
- Horse Rides
- Hiking trails
- Highspeed Internet (Fiber Optics)
- WiFi access points covering all structures and observing fields
- Offsite Lodging Opportunities near TSP 2025 for those of you who choose to stay offsite. ?
- 200+?Offsite Lodging options in nearby Fort Davis, Alpine, Marfa and the surrounding area?
- Some of our TSP star party event attendees choose to obtain their lodging accommodation at these recommended establishments. ?
- ?
- ?
- (15 Rooms)?
- ?
- ?
- ?
- The caf¨¦ is open Wednesdays through Fridays Breakfast (8 to 11 am) and Lunch (11 to 2pm)?
- Saturdays?and Sundays (8am to 8pm to include dinners) ??
- ?
- ?Located in the Davis Mountain State Park, The Indian Lodge is anticipated to reopen in late February or?March 2025 time frame. Call to Confirm ?
- ?
- ?
- A new property located 5 miles south of Fort Davis, High Frontier, is a beautiful wedding, conference and guest center situated on 70+ acres sitting on a high mesa overlooking Musquiz Canyon.?
- This?property has been beautifully restored and renovated to accommodate?large groups. ???
- ?You will have to make your own lodging reservations for all offsite lodging establishments.
????
What¡¯s Waiting for You at TSP 2025? ?
- 7 Nights of Visual Observing & Astro-Imaging:
- Under some of the darkest skies in the world rated Bortle 2! ?
- 3 expansive observing fields with electrical power grids to power your?telescope(s) and astro-imaging equipment.?
- Special Observing Challenges (Advanced, General, Novice, Binocular and Beginner levels) with Challenge Pins awards upon completion! ??
- Opening Sunday Welcoming and 45th TSP Star Party Celebration Lunch
- Inspiring Speakers & Seminars: ?
- Evening Guest Speakers
- 4 Featured Guest Speakers (Monday ¨C Thursday evenings) ?
- Larry Mitchell, David Levy, PhD., Stefanie Milam, PhD., and Stephen J. O¡¯Meara ?
- Friday?evening Fireside Chat: Q&A with all 4 speakers!?
- Afternoon Presentations & Free Technical Seminars?
- Competitions: Art, ATM (Amateur Telescope Making), Technical Poster, and Astro-Imaging ?
- TSP Movies of the Week
- Saturday NIght Ice Cream Social after the dinner meal
- Networking, Learning & Fun: ?
- ?Friday morning Swap Meet: Trade, sell, and buy astronomy gear ??
- Sponsor and Vendor Product Demonstrations and Afternoon Presentations?
- The Great TSP 2025 Give Away! ?
- Donated products provided by vendors and sponsoring companies?
- Visit our Sponsor/Vendor Webpage to see the list of companies that have donated products for TSP 2025 and previous years. ?
- Thank?you, Vendors and Sponsors, for supporting Texas Star Party. ??
- Special Attractions Nearby: ?
- Only 20 minutes to McDonald Observatory?
- Explore the Big Bend region, with stunning natural landscapes. ?
Bonus Features: ?
- Free TSP 2025 T-shirt for all attendees!?
- ??Lodging Options to fit any budget. ?
- Cash Awards?for Afternoon Speakers and Competitions
- McDonald Observatory facility - Special TSP 2025 Star Party attendee tours ?
- This is not the standard tour that McDonald Observatory staff hosts for the public.
- ours include Visiting the dome floor of the 107-inch telescope and the dome floor of the HET telescope.?
- The cost is $27.50 / person per tour
- Price includes the cost of the tour and?transportation from Prude ranch, all of the visited McDonald Observatory's facilities, Visitors Center and back to Prude ranch.
- Tour dates and times (Does not include going to the Visitors Center)
- Tuesday
??????April 22, 2025 (1:00PM to ?3:00PM approximately) ?
- Wednesday
??????April 23, 2025 (1:00PM to 3:00PM approximately)?
- ALL Tour participants must meet outside of Prude front office by 12:15pm to check in and to load onto the bus.?
- Prude?Guest Ranch Bus will depart at 12:25PM Approximately ?
?
- The Great Texas Giveaway (Lots of great products are donated by companies)?
- Event-filled days and unforgettable nights of stargazing.?
- Donate to Texas Star Party different programs (Visit TSP WooCommerce Page)
- Friends of TSP
- John Wagoner Award
- Youth Outreach
- TSP Event Operations
- HAM Shack Fire - Cover the cost to replace supplies and equipment lost in the grass fire that destroyed the HAM Shack. ?
- McDonald Observatory¡¯s ¡°Dark Sky Event¡¯ ??
- This?event is hosted by the observatory staff on Mt. Locke during TSP 2025 week with many activities during the day and at night, April 2025. ?
- This event is not associated with TSP 2025 but is being hosted by McDonald and University of Texas staff during TSP 2025 Week. ?
- Please visit the McDonald Observatory website for more information, dates and times. ?
Join Us for the Ultimate Premier Astronomy Event of 2025!?
Don¡¯t miss out on the TEXAS STAR PARTY, Inc.¡¯s 45th Star Party, TSP ?2025. Book your attendance today and join fellow enthusiasts for a week of fun, learning, and stargazing!?
? For more information
visit:
?Contact us: tsp@...?
TSP 2025 Event Contact ?Phone Number 979-313-2730
To Book your attendance for TSP 2025 for onsite lodging at
our venue, Prude Guest Ranch, Fort Davis, Texas.? Or to book your attendance if you are an
offsite lodging attendee for TSP 2025, please click on this link ?
TSP 2025: Where Stars, Nebulae, Galaxies are bright,
Planets Align & Memories are Made! ??
