3:30–3:55 Origin of the Elements:Stellar 1:20 PM McDonald Bus departs The TEXAS Nucleosynthesis – Molly Wakeling 1:30 PM Museum of Big Bend Tour departs TEXAS STAR PARTY PROGRAM 4:00-4:30 Scientific Travel - Education and (car pool meet at Ranch office) Outreach: Kosovo Pranvera Hyseni 2:00 PM Annual Meeting: SW Region Sunday, May 6 4:30-5:30 TSP Registration (Meeting Hall) of the Astronomical League 2:00 PM Ranch Check-in Opens 6:30 Interfaith Worship Service 4:30-5:30 TSP Registration (Meeting Hall) 9:00 PM Front Gate closes / Dark-out (outside next to Pool Building) Jason Fry, Minister 7:30 PM Speaker – Alex McConahay Monday, May 7 “Which Way Is Up? Musings about Motion 1:00-5:00 TSP Registration (Meeting Hall) 7:30 PM Evening Speaker: Richard S and Direction in the Universe” 4:00-5:00 Orientation to TSP (Meeting Hall) Wright – “Adventures of an Accidental Awards and Great Texas Giveaway I 9:00 PM Front Gate closes / Dark-out ” 9 PM or 30 minutes after meeting: 9 PM or 30 minutes after meeting: Front Gate closes / Dark-out Tuesday, May 8 Front Gate closes / Dark-out (SCIENCE FICTION DAY!) Saturday, May 12 2018 PROGRAM 8:00 AM Birding excursion – Lodge north Thursday, May 10 1:00 PM McDonald Bus departs Afternoon MC: Kirk Kendrick Of Upper Field. Bring binoculars! (Hawaiian Shirt Day!) 1:00 PM McDonald Bus departs Afternoon MC: Richard Nugent 1:30-1:55 Birding at TSP THANK YOU 1:30-1:55 DSLR Darrell Lee 1:00 PM – Emergency Network Drill at Steve Grimsley 2:00-2:25 Mystic Creek Observatory The TSP and TSP attendees thank W5RSP REPEATER 442.8+, pl 110.9 – all 2:00-2:25 Parking Lot in Jim Duke those who made this year’s licensed Hams invited to participate. the City - Genevieve de Messieres 2:30- 2:55 How to Design and Build a TEXAS STAR PARTY possible: 2:30-2:55 NASA’s Night Sky Network Lightweight Compact Telescope At the Meeting Hall: Program – David Prosper Alan Scott Austin Astronomical Society 2:00-4:00 PM Eclipsathon-Attendees share 3:00-3:25 Three Nights with 2.7 Meter 3:00-3:25 Glass & Astronomy Fort Bend Astronomy Club 2017 eclipse experiences Harlan Smith Telescope Will Young Fort Worth Astronomical Society 4:00 PM – Eclipse meet-up, eclipse stuff, Robert Reeves 3:30-3:55 Next Generation Technologies Houston Astronomical Society Sci-Fi costumes & Sci-Fi book swap 3:30-3:55 Planning Perfect Observing; Used in Astronomy Today Texas Astronomical Society 4:30-5:30 PM TSP Registration Avoiding Fear of Missing Out Stefan Gillard San Antonio Astronomical Society 7:00 PM Movie:StarTrek II “The Wrath of Paul Krizak 4:00-4:30 Amateur Telescope Making And the many volunteers who participate Khan”, courtesy of TSP Ladies- all welcome 4:00-4:30 The Hyperbole of Hyperbolas; (ATM) Review Fascinating Orbital Trajectories Bob Logue & Keith Venables The 9 PM or 30 minutes after meeting: Rodney Rocha 4:30-5:30 TSP Registration at TEXAS STAR PARTY Front Gate closes / Dark-out 4:30-5:30 TSP Registration (Meeting Hall) Meeting Hall is organized and operated by 7:30 PM Evening Speaker – Richard Berry Texas Star Party, Inc., Wednesday, May 9 7:30 PM Evening Speaker – Randy Shivak “Future Shock: The Impact of an IRS 501 (c) 3 Non-profit Corporation Afternoon MC: Bill Flanagan “Solar Imaging and Processing” Imaging On .” and is co-sponsored by 1:30–2:55 TSP Advanced Observing 9 PM or 30 minutes after meeting: Awards and Great Texas Giveaway II The SW Region of the Astronomical League Program: Edward Emerson Front Gate closes / Dark-out 9 PM or 45 minutes after meeting: Website: texasstarparty.org Barnard: the Man, the Science, Front Gate closes / Dark-out the Times. Larry Mitchell Friday, May 11 *In Memory of Don Garland* 3:00–3:25 The Discovery of Amalthea’s 9:00 AM Swap Meet - (Outside of Lodge Sunday, May 13 Moon – Dick Campbell Building by upper field) 10:00 AM Ranch Check-out Time 1:10 PM Group Photo-Outside Mtg Hall RANCH MEALS GREAT TEXAS GIVEAWAY I & II FOR LATE ARRIVALS AND 2. PERSONAL COMPUTERS and appliances such as The Prude Ranch provides a spacious and The GTG will start on Friday night after the lecture. hot plates, coffee pots, fans, heaters and refrigerators NON-RANCH GUESTS are NOT to be connected to TSP power outlets. decorative dining room for comfortable meals Some door prizes will be given, including several The front gate will be closed at 9:00PM (or 30 3. Use LOW-HEAT setting on hair dryers. Avoid with friends. Lunch and Dinner are included with GRAND PRIZES. On Saturday night, the minutes after the night meeting) to restrict traffic running yours when another is being used nearby. covered housing. Otherwise sign up at Ranch remaining door prizes will be given away. The and minimize disturbance to observers. If you 4. These rules do not apply to personal RV-site Office for individual meals 1 day in advance. winners of all door prizes (except Grand Prizes) on plan to arrive at night, expect to park your car electric connections. Computer users should obtain Breakfast **Cancelled** either night will be eligible for all the GRAND outside the front gate and walk-in. Driving on an RV site or make arrangements with a nearby RV Lunch 11:30AM to 1:00PM PRIZES on Saturday night. The “full” TSP the Ranch at night is prohibited unless sky site user. Dinner 5:30PM to 7:00PM Registration Fee includes ONE door prize ticket conditions prevent observing activity. See Personal computer screens should be set on LOW Snack Bar 10:00PM to 4:00AM (i.e. one per family). Your name will be written on “Lighting Restrictions” for details. If you plan to the ticket at the registration desk. Drop the ticket in intensity, and shielded so that no light escapes onto leave the Ranch after 9PM, park your car the field, nor disturb other observers. the Ticket Box at the meeting hall on either Friday ATM Entries OUTSIDE the gate before dark, so that you may Astrophoto & Drawing Entries or Saturday night. YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO leave and not disturb anyone in doing so. WIN. Lost tickets will NOT be replaced! LIGHTING RESTRICTIONS - Vehicle headlights, parking, tail, brake and interior Observing Programs VENDOR DISPLAYS lights must remain extinguished. Obtain entry blanks at the Registration Table. MCDONALD OBSERVATORY TOURS Vendors are located in the Pavilion located just - All RV, trailer and camper lights must be turned off Photos & Astro Art will be on display in the Visit McDonald Observatory and see the large north of the Central field bathhouse. Hours are unless proper shielding is installed on all windows or doors to prevent light from escaping. Meeting Hall. Vote for the People’s Choice professional 107" and 362" telescopes. The 10:00AM to Noon, and 1:30PM to 5:00PM. special 1:30PM technical tour is limited to 50 - Coleman-type lanterns, campfires and outdoor Award! lighting are NOT permitted. people per day. A Prude Ranch bus (limit 35 people) is available. See the sign-up sheets in the WEATHER SATELLITE IMAGES - All flashlights must be equipped with red filters and Deadlines for entries are: should be pointed toward the ground at your feet. Red food line for schedule and prices. The TSP weather info display is available for ATM Entries 5:30PM Wednesday viewing near the Ranch Office, and at the radio cellophane or fingernail polish is useful. Astrophotos 5:30PM Thursday You must reserve your place by purchasing your building next to the tall antenna tower. Astro Art 5:30PM Thursday In the event that you must give off some light, give a tour (and optional bus) ticket at the Ranch Office yell! A precious photo or image could be saved with Judging for ATM 1-5PM Thursday Judging for Astrophotos 2:00PM Friday (not at McDonald). Cost is $14. >>>> NOTICE <<<< some warning from a caring neighbor.

Judging for Astro Art 2:00PM Friday YOU MAY BE FINED $50, or permanently You can do your own self-guided tour any time, or banned from TSP if you drive on the Ranch The lighting ban will be in effect when the sky is more than 10% clear. If it is raining, the ban will be lifted. If take a public guided tour most afternoons. when the Lighting Controls are in effect!! Prude Ranch Location it is cloudy with the potential for clearing or there are o o Driving in darkness is DANGEROUS and can some holes in the clouds, please keep lights to a Upper field 30 36’ 38.72” 103 57’ 08.06” NUISANCES injure or kill people, and damage telescopes Middle field 30o 36’ 33.47” 103o 57’ 03.41” minimum to protect other people’s dark adaptation. o o Loud music and other noisy activities are not and other property, which isn’t yours to risk. Drive only if you must and use normal headlights. Lower field 30 36’ 24.02” 103 57’ 05.20” permitted. Playing music through speakers is not Elevation 5051’ MSL (From Google Earth) allowed between 12 Midnight and 10 AM. DO NOT DRIVE ON THE Exceptions to the ban may be provided to certain RANCH AT NIGHT! persons or vehicles ONLY by consent of the TSP THE TSP 2018 SKY staff. The Prude Ranch staff may drive occasionally at Dogs are no longer allowed during TSP. Boarding Normal Headlights are justified in true Sunset 8:40PM is available in Ft. Davis by calling 432/426-3086. night on Ranch business. Sunrise 7:05AM medical emergencies.

Please pick up your cigarette butts from the Map-My-Scope

Mon Moonrise 2:22 AM fields and throw them away. No smoking Let others know your scope location, using the Tue 3:02 AM indoors. ELECTRICITY USE RULES ID tag from the power box that you plug into, or Due to heavy demands in the telescope fields, we are Wed 3:39 AM that is nearby your scope. Logon to the TSP limiting the use of electricity by providing top priority to Thu 4:15 AM No cigar or pipe smoking allowed on any website to see a list of where others are located! Fri 4:50 AM telescope equipment. The following rules are in the Maps of power lines are posted throughout the observing field after sunset. effect at all times. Sat 5:25 AM Ranch. The southernmost 1/2 of the upper observing 1. Only telescope equipment, anti-dew gear, drive 6:02 AM field and tent area is now a non smoking area correctors, up to 6-Watt light bulbs, and up to 90-Watt after sunset. Marked by double white lines. laptop computers may be connected to TSP power outlets.