Regular Monthly Star Parties (Eastman Lake Recreation Area)
Our regular monthly star parties, held at Eastman Lake Recreation Area, are a great way to observe the skies, learn about the various types of telescopes and how they work, and meet other members. Unlike some clubs, you don't have to be a member to join us - come on out and enjoy the skies!
Members typically start arriving about 30 minutes before sunset, and it isn't uncommon for members to stay well after midnight, especially during the warmer months. If you have never been to our observing location before, we highly recommend you plan on arriving while there is still light to avoid getting lost or not finding us.
Weather, of course, is not always accommodating. We do not cancel star parties as a club; rather, members use Weather Forecasts, the Clear Sky Charts, and the appearance of the sky itself to determine whether it is worth going out to observe. Of course, you are welcome to try contacting a member or two to see if they are going.
You will find that we are a group of easygoing people that love to observe the night sky. We do, however, recommend that you read the Star Party Etiquette page before coming out to your first star party. We look forward to sharing our love of the night sky with you!
Monthly Club Meetings
Our monthly club meetings are a great way to meet members, socialize, and learn something new about astronomy. Meetings are scheduled one Friday every month except for July and August (to accommodate family vacations). Meetings begin at 7:00pm and typically end between 8:30pm and 9:00pm.
Meetings typically begin with club business, such as coming events and club issues. Every meeting includes some form of presentation by a member - this may be a quiz game, educational presentation, photographical slide show, or something else entirely, but it is always a chance to learn something new.
Club meetings serve another purpose as well - allowing members to meet each other in the light! Quite often, we meet new people in the dark at a star party, only seeing a voice, not a face. It is not unusual to hear "I don't recognize you, but you sure sound familiar" at a meeting!
Like almost all of our events, meetings are open to members and public alike. We invite you to join us!
River Park Sidewalk Astronomy (River Park Shopping Center)
A great opportunity to see some telescopes and view the moon and planets, our River Park Sidewalk Star Parties offer a fun way to observe and meet members of the club. These events typically begin at sunset and last until about 10:00pm. We set up in the "Via la Plata" street directly behind the REI building, straight out from Edwards Theatre.
The River Park star parties are scheduled every month of the year from March until October. They generally start at around sunset and go until 10:00pm. Because of the extraordinary amount of light at River Park, our observing is generally limited to the moon and any planets that happen to be up. We time the events to coincide with dates that the moon will be viewable.
These star parties can get very crowded - we have had nights with 500+ people stopping by. Please be patient and courteous to the guests around you. We look forward to seeing you, your family, and friends there!
Dark Sky Festival (Kings Canyon NP)
The Central Valley Astronomers participate in the Dark Sky Festival happening at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. CVA is typically located at the Big Stump parking lot at the entrance of Kings Canyon National Park. These events can get very crowded - we have had nights with 500+ people coming. Please be patient and courteous to the guests around you. We look forward to seeing you, your family, and friends there!
Millerton Lake Star Parties (3 events during the summer)
It is located at Millerton Lake State Recreation Area, North Shore. CVA does star parties at Millerton Lake to offer more opportunities for public observing, scheduled on Saturday evenings in June, July, and August of each year.
We set up on the Madera County side of the lake, at the Millerton Lake State Recreation Area parking lot. This location allows us to provide astronomical observing to visitors from the area as well as those who are camping. Plan on us being out there from sunset until approximately 10:00pm, though some of our members may stay later to do additional observing.
Depending on how many people are visiting or camping, the observing site may get a bit crowded. Please be patient and courteous to the guests around you.
Courtright Reservoir Camping Star Parties
Courtright Reservoir is a beautiful geologically-rich area in the High Sierras approximately two hours from Fresno. During the day, the skyline is filled with granite, offering ample opportunities for hiking and exploration. During the night, the high elevation and distance from cities offer up some of the most pristine skies available to this area.
The campsite is on the East side of the lake, past the dam, on the right hand side before the large trailhead parking lot. While this location offers amazing skies, there are definitely a few things to take into consideration:
- No Running Water - make sure you bring plenty with you as the altitude and dry air can easily cause dehydration.
- Cold Weather - our site is at 8,200 feet. Even on a hot day in July or August, the temperature can easily dip into the 40's or lower.
- No Services - pit toilets are a 250-yard walk to the parking lot, the closest store (at Wishon Village) is a 20-minute drive, and cellphone service is a minimum hour and 15 minute drive down the hill.
- Follow The Laws - fires (including barbeques) are commonly restricted during the summer due to fire danger. Be sure to check with the Forest Service station in Prather so that you know any restrictions that are in effect. We will report those breaking the law.
Depending on how many people are visiting or camping, the observing site may get a bit crowded. Please be patient and courteous to the guests and astronomers around you.
Star-BQ Potluck (twice a year)
Every year in September, our club celebrates with the "Star-BQ" barbeque potluck. This potluck is only open to members and their families, and typically begins at around 5:00pm at Eastman Lake.
The Star Party afterwards, however, is open to the public (like all of our Eastman Lake star parties). We typically travel from the barbeque location to our observing location at around sunset.
