Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1804 PO Box22804 nearby Dino- 30th Annual Okie-Tex Star Party saur Quarry September 28 - October 6, 2013 which was ex- cavated in the Camp Billy Joe, Kenton, Oklahoma 1930’s.

Other Attractions Interesting rock Kenton—This tiny town of 23 people is the only community formations dot the area includ- www.Okie-Tex.com in Oklahoma on Mountain Standard Time. ing “Old Maid’s “The Merc”—Visitors to Kenton will find the Kenton Mer- Profile” and the The Oklahoma City Astronomy Club is pleased to cantile which serves as a deli, general store, post office and “Wedding invite you to the 30th Annual Okie-Tex Star Party! general place to stop in and gab a while for the community and Party” com- plete with bride, groom and a minister. Numerous Indian writ- star party guests. “The Merc” is currently closed. What started as a weekend retreat for members of the ings and drawings from prehistoric times can be seen on the Oklahoma City Astronomy Club has grown into one of the Kenton Museum—Just down the street is the Kenton Mu- rocky walls of many canyons throughout the area. TOP TEN star parties in the country. So Join us in Septem- seum offering some insight into Kenton and the surrounding ber of 2013 for the 30th Annual Okie-Tex Star Party! area’s past. The museum sports a great collection of artifacts Black Mesa is named for the thick layer of black rock which caps the mesa. This rock was formed by a lava flow that cov- from the pioneer days of the region. The star party will ered the region about 30 million years ago. The flow is about again be held at Capulin Volcano National Monument—Just across the 45 miles long and extends from Colorado. Camp Billy Joe near New Mexico border and a way is Capulin Volcano, a nearly Kenton Oklahoma perfectly-shaped cinder Black Mesa State Park—Black Mesa State Park is adjacent and Black Mesa and cone rising more than to Lake Carl Etling and offers RV, tent and equestrian camp- offers some of the 1,200 feet above the sites, picnic facili- ties, boat ramps darkest skies any- surrounding high desert. where in the south- and a mooring western United The volcano is long ex- buoy, trout fish- States. tinct and today, the for- ing in season, a ested slopes provide playground, rest- “Is that the Milky Way or clouds I see?” Your InvitationtoOkie-Te habitat for mule deer, rooms with wild turkey, black bear showers and a Here’s the light pollution map for our location and, as you and other wildlife. Abundant displays of wild flowers bloom on group camp with bunkhouses. The can see, it just doesn’t get much darker than this! the mountain each summer. park also encom- With an approximate A 20 mile road spiraling up to the crater rim makes Capulin passes Black Mesa itself which is a nature preserve. Bortle scale of 1, it’s one of the most accessible volcanoes in the world. Trails not at all uncommon around the rim and to the crater bottom offer a rare opportu- for the Milky Way to nity to easily explore a volcano. cast visible shadows and Gegenschein and The Cimarron Heritage Center—In Boise City was Zodiacal Light are rou- x StarParty2013HasArrived! formed in 1994 with the mission to preserve and interpret the tinely visible at the site. natural, historic and artistic heritage of Cimarron County and the area and to assume responsibility for the collections which That’s DARK and THAT are held in trust for all citizens and visitors to this region. The DARK IS NICE! So center provides a look back into the past to pioneer days on come out and see for the Santa Fe Trail and other interesting artifacts of Cimarron yourself! County.

Black Mesa—At 4,973 feet above sea level, Black Mesa is the highest point in Oklahoma. The mesa and surrounding area provide some of the most dramatic landscapes in Oklahoma appealing to many interests. Geology and paleontology buffs will find a rich landscape including dinosaur fossils and tracks in The Pleiades (M45) imaged during Okie-Tex 2004 Other Accommodations In the Area Music Registration Information Okie-Tex Star Party Etiquette Everyone has their favorite observing music that contributes to the star party experience but please respect your fellow Okie-Tex Pre-Registration and Fees Black Mesa Bed & Breakfast—Monty Joe and Vicki Roberts Thank you for observing the following courtesies during the observers! Music that can be heard across the observing field The pre-registration fee is $50.00 for each primary registrant serve as your hosts. Accommodations include a ground level party: will not be allowed. If your neighbor doesn’t like your taste and $25.00 for each additional family member 18 years old double occupancy room and a second story suite that sleeps 8. in music then turn it down a few decibels or plug in some or older. Children under 18 are admitted free of charge. 1-800-866-3009 or 1-580-261-7443. e-mail: [email protected] Gate Closings/Lighting Restrictions headphones. A good rule of thumb would be: If your music Pre-registration submissions must be post-marked no later Dark out period will begin Sunday night and continue each can be heard more than 10 feet away it’s probably too loud! than September 10, 2013 and must be paid in full. The Hitching Post—Bob & Jane Apple. These lodgings consist of night through Saturday night. At 9:00 PM each evening, the very clean and comfortable trailer homes and a log cabin. Each gate will be closed and lighting restrictions will begin. This is Pets At-The-Door Registration and Fees unit is fully furnished including the kitchen. The Bed and for the safety of star party participants and to prevent un- Pets must be on a leash at all times. If your pet is aggressive Registrations received with postmarks after September 10, Breakfast has two separate bedrooms and one bathroom. 1- wanted light in the observing area. or prone to barking please leave it at home. Pets are not 2013 and registrations at the door are $75.00 for all adult 580-261-7413. allowed in the vendor building, chow hall, bathrooms, show- guests. No vehicles will be permitted to travel into or out of the star ers, bunk houses or meeting rooms. Pets will not be allowed The Hoot Owl Ranch has 2 newly completed cabins with a queen party site after the gate is closed except for emergency situa- Facility Fee on the observing field while lighting restrictions are in effect. bed in each, full bath and kitchenette, They also serve dinner on tions. As part of our ongoing investment in and improvements to You may walk your pet during daylight hours but please clean Friday and Saturday nights, reservations are needed. 580-261- Camp Billy Joe, a $5.00 per day facility fee is charged for all No one will be allowed to travel within the star party site after up after it! registrants. The facility fee is waived for children under 18. 7789 the lighting restrictions begin. So if you plan to leave during the night, please park outside the gate before it closes and face Tents, Camping Trailers And Canopies Walker Ranch - Cerita Walker has a 4 bedroom home 3 miles west Meals your vehicle away from the observing field! The gate will be If you are camping please do not set up your tent or camping In camp meals provided by Jody’s Catering may be pur- of Kenton. 1-580-261-7439 e-mail:[email protected] reopened at sunrise each morning. trailer on the observing field or in traffic ways. This includes chased. Please refer to the enclosed Meal Request Form. canopies, pavilions and similar structures designed to provide Checks for meals are made payable to Jody’s Catering. Meals Kenton Mercantile Kabins—is currently closed All light emitting devices must be turned off when lighting re- shade. Please make sure that your tent is firmly staked down must be purchased in advance to be guaranteed food. Number of strictions begin. The only exceptions to this rule will be red- and the guy lines do not extend into the observing area for meals purchased onsite will be limited. Meal request forms Longhorn Motel—1-580-544-2596 filtered lights and during inclement weather or emergencies. the safety of other star party participants. Please respect must be postmarked no later the September 6, 2013. Emergencies may require the use of white light and whenever your neighbor’s view of the horizon. Townsman Motel—1-580-544-2506 possible, a warning should be given to avoid interference with Groups astrophotography or observing. RV hookups are not provided at the Okie-Tex Star Party site School groups, must contact the Registrar at regis- Black Mesa State Park-abundance of full hook-ups and not at this time. RV's and camping trailers are NOT to be pow- [email protected] for group rates. Groups interested in crowded. If you are using a personal computer on the observing field for ered by star party electricity outlets. Black Mesa State Park attending the star party or visiting for an evening of observ- the operation of your telescope or CCD the screen must be (approx. 5 miles from the site) provides full RV hookups if ing must contact the Registrar for a group reservation and Boise City—This city serves as an anchor for a trip through red-filtered. If your RV is near the observing field please cover you require them. must provide a signed liability release. Oklahoma's Panhandle. With restaurants, hotels, RV camping the windows with dark material. Internet use (OkieNet) and shopping. Refund Policy Electricity Use Okie-Tex provides wireless internet service for most of the Refund requests will be honored only if notification is re- The following guidelines for electricity use are in effect for the observing fields and dining hall free of charge. There are also ceived on or before September 10, 2013 and must be re- duration of the star party: hook-ups for laptops in the Dining hall. This is a shared DSL quested in writing, or email. Refunds will be processed after connection, please do not use it to transmit large photos. November 1, 2013. Only telescope drive equipment, anti-dew gear, drive correc- Due to a wide number of variables, connection to the inter- tors, personal computers necessary to the operation of tele- Check-In At The Star Party net is not guaranteed. This is an unsecured network! There is scopes or CCD equipment, and 25-watt or less red light bulbs no encryption, anti-virus protection or firewall on this net- All guests should check in at the vendor hall at their earliest may be connected to Okie-Tex power outlets. convenience after arrival. The registration desk will be work! Please make sure your computer is adequately pro- staffed from 11am to 1pm and 5pm-5:30pm on Sunday Personal computers not attached to telescopes or CCD’s or tected prior to connecting with both a firewall and anti-virus through Saturday during the week of the party. Do not used for astronomical image processing and appliances such as software. The Okie-Tex Star Party is in no way responsible for any damage or loss of data for any cause resulting from arrive before Saturday, September 28, 2013 !!!! hot plates, coffee pots, fans, heaters and refrigerators are NOT to be connected to field electrical supplies. If you use genera- your connection to this network. Your use of this network Confirmation tors to re-charge mobile battery packs please refrain from indicates that you understand and agree with this condition. Registrants receive confirmation upon receipt of their regis- running the generators from dark out until dawn. Alcoholic Beverages tration forms and payment by the who’s coming list. If pay- Contact Us: Camp Billy Joe is a Christian Youth Camp and the owners ment is not complete, your name will not show on the list. Generator Use Generators will be allowed to run during the daytime hours prefer that drinking not take place during the OTSP. If you Please e-mail the Registrar concerning all registration inquir- PO Box 22804 should bring liquor to our star party, under no circumstances Oklahoma City, OK 73123 only. The only exception will be for medical purposes ies. [email protected] (permission will be required in these circumstances). Anyone should it be brought into the Dining Hall, Tent, Cosmic Cafe, www.okie-tex.com Bath Houses, etc. Please keep it in your own personal area [email protected] with a generator will be asked to camp in the north field and store your generator out of site. We don't want to have the and out of sight!! Drunken behavior will not be tolerated! noise distraction from these running all of the time.