StarFest is the Bays Mountain Astronomy Club’s annual astronomical convention/star gathering held each October. Situated in the heart of the Appalachians, it is three days and two nights of astronomical heaven!

During the day, our delegates enjoy many keynote speakers, planetarium programs, activities, solar viewing, and the splendor of autumnal colors. The night brings more speakers, activities, night viewing, and crisp, cool air. Attendance can only be attained by pre-registration with payment. Sorry, to be fair to our registered delegates, NO walk-ins nor “visits.” Your one, low cost includes everything: access to all speakers, all activities, five scrumptious meals, free access to the Park’s public programming, the opportunity to sleep/camp on Park grounds at no additional cost, AND a unique, commemorative T-shirt with custom artwork.

Initiated in 1984, the Bays Mountain StarFest is still one of the finest astronomy events in the nation.

StarFest 2018 will be held October 12-14, 2018. If you would like to be added to the StarFest mailing list, please click here.

StarFest 2018

“Celebrating 200 Years of American Women in Astronomy”

Greetings Everyone!

The 35^th annual  StarFest at Bays Mountain Park is soon upon us. Expect beautiful fall colors, cooler weather, and lots of astronomy fun for this astronomical convention/star party. The event is hosted by the Bays Mountain Astronomy Club (BMAC) and the staff of Bays Mountain Park. It is being held on October 12-14, 2018. It is run as a non-profit event, so registration is as low as possible.

The theme of this year’s event is “Celebrating 200 Years of American Women in Astronomy.” 2018 is the 200th birth anniversary of noted American astronomer Maria Mitchell. Our celebration though, has more to do with women in astronomy today. What better way to do this then by having all of our keynote speakers be women who do astronomy!

This year includes four distinctive keynote speakers; five great meals; door prizes; the ever popular swap shop; solar viewing; night-time observing (both private on Fri. and with the public on Sat., so bring your favorite scope); and the exceptional planetarium will be open.

In addition to all the StarFest activities, there are public programs and activities available at the park, such as the wildlife exhibits, planetarium shows, barge rides, and plenty of trails to explore.

A unique facet of StarFest is a commemorative T-shirt with one-of-a-kind artwork that is included with each registration. Cassy Rose, from the Park’s exhibits staff, has created a special design to represent this year’s theme. I know you’ll be pleased with the art.

This three-day long gathering is filled with great activities, but also makes sure there’s quality free time for you to explore the Park and enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow StarFesters. Attendance will be limited and registration must be received prior to the deadline, September 21, 2018. To be fair to our registered delegates, there are no walk-ins nor “visits.” Please complete the registration sheet for each person and mail, fax, or e-mail it in so we can see you in October. If you use a credit card, you can write it on the sheet or call me or Jason Dorfman and we can process it for you.

Adam Thanz – StarFest 2018 Chair

Note: At this point, we have most everything established but are still missing a few final points. That information will be posted soon.

Keynote Speakers / Activities – in chronological order:

Jennifer Sieben

Friday Night: Jennifer Sieben, Associate Instructor, Indiana University

Title:

“Extending Our Reach”

Abstract:

The field of astronomy is a quest for knowledge, for understanding our place in the Universe. Different scientists approach it in different ways. My goal is to reach to the very earliest time in our Universe. From nearby asteroids, out to galaxies our telescopes can barely see, I am reaching further every year.

My current project involves studying the star formation of galaxies at different distances to understand how the rate at which stars are forming has changed across cosmic time. By tracing this change, we can study the teenage years of our Universe and learn how it grew into the gorgeous Universe we see today. Using the WIYN telescope, we are learning more about galaxies already known to us, and discovering distant galaxies never before studied by any human.

Bio:

Jennifer Sieben is currently a graduate student at Indiana University. She is studying star formation across cosmic time. This involves using the WIYN telescope to take optical and spectroscopic data of wide swaths of the sky. In addition to her research, she is also an editor-at-large of ScIU, a peer-edited, grad student run science blog on campus. (http://blogs.iu.edu/sciu/author/jsieben/) Outside of her scientific interests, she enjoys writing fiction and longing to return to London.

Friday Night: Twilight Soirée

Rental facility image – Pavilion at Lily Pad Cove

A big part of the StarFest experience is to be at and enjoy the Park. What better way than to have a relaxing time at the Park’s brand new Pavilion at Lily Pad Cove! We’ll enjoy twilight on the lake along with a drink from local breweries. Three hand-crafted choices include beer, hard cider, and non-alcoholic root beer, all on tap!

Saturday Morning: Patty Seaton, Planetarium Specialist, H.B. Owens Science Center, MD

Patty Seaton

Title:

“The Power of Immersive Education in the Planetarium”

Abstract:

Textbook astronomy is what I primarily encountered when obtaining my bachelor’s degree in astronomy from the University of Maryland at College Park in 1990. Trying to understand concepts such as spherical coordinates provided some challenge to me as a visual learner. It wasn’t until I started teaching in the planetarium and could immerse myself under the coordinates that I actually started to understand how they worked. The planetarium is a natural teaching environment that allows the audience to be immersed in what they are learning. We’ll demonstrate the value of immersive observations of moon phases versus textbook moon phase diagrams. We’ll look at constellations from multiple points of view, using the power of the planetarium technology. Together we’ll start to meet some of the Next Generation Science Standard’s Performance Expectations in one of the most interactive and enjoyable venues available: the planetarium!

Bio:

I was in the fifth grade when I first experienced a program in a planetarium. I remember the amazement I felt when I sat under a sky full of more stars than I ever remembered seeing. I felt that same wonder in 9th grade when I looked at a then-recent Voyager picture of Jupiter. At that point, my career path was chosen, as I read everything I could on Jupiter and entered into the realm of astronomy. I eventually received a B.S. in Astronomy from the University of Maryland, College Park. While in college, I began working part-time on weekends at the very same planetarium I had first visited in fifth grade, at the Howard B. Owens Science Center (HBOSC). By the time I graduated with my astronomy degree, I knew that I wasn’t going to get a PhD in astronomy which was needed for most jobs in the field. I worked in industry for eight years, continuing to work part time at the planetarium and even joining the weekend staff presenting star lectures at the Einstein Planetarium at the National Air and Space Museum. During this time, I decided that I wanted to work full time at HBOSC, but as it was part of the school system, I needed to be a certified teacher to be hired to work there. So I returned to school and obtained an M.A in Science Education, Curriculum and Instruction. I passed the Praxis exams. I was hired on a Provisional certificate to teach as a science resource teacher at Ardmore Elementary School in Prince George’s County Public Schools, the district of which HBOSC was a part. After two years, now fully certified and tenured, I was offered the job full time at HBOSC, and two years later, took over the responsibilities of Planetarium Specialist. I am active in the Middle Atlantic Planetarium Society, having served as President of the organization and now as an executive board member. I am also an active presenter at International Planetarium Society conferences, where I also serve on the Education Committee. I have now come full circle, being the one to provide moments of wonder for students similar to what I first experienced in fifth grade. And hoping it sparks someone’s imagination and future career path as the planetarium experience did for me!

Saturday Evening: Caroline Simpson, Professor of Physics, Florida International University, Miami, FL

Caroline Simpson

Title:

“Star Formation in Dwarf Galaxies”

Abstract:

Star formation is how galaxies change, or evolve, over time. Dwarf irregular galaxies are the closest analogues to the first galaxies that formed after the Big Bang and are also the most abundant type of galaxy in the Universe, so studying how they form stars is one way to study the evolution of the Universe. However, the processes that lead to star formation in dwarf galaxies, and thus their evolution, are not yet well understood. I will discuss two projects undertaken as part of a survey of 40 nearby dwarf galaxies. One project uses a catalog of holes and shells in the atomic hydrogen gas in the sample to study the effect of previous episodes of star formation on current and potential future star formation; the other looks for mechanisms that might trigger large amounts of star formation in some dwarf galaxies (blue compact dwarfs), such as accretion of intergalactic gas.

Bio:

Dr. Caroline Simpson obtained her B.S. in Astronomy and Physics from the University of Massachusetts, followed by work at the Hubble Space Science Telescope Institute for four years. She then attended graduate school at the University of Florida, and was awarded a Ph.D. in Astronomy in 1995.

Dr. Simpson’s research is on star formation in dwarf galaxies. As star formation is how galaxies evolve, and because dwarf galaxies are the most abundant type of galaxy in the Universe, studying star formation in dwarf galaxies helps us understand how the Universe has evolved over time.

Dr. Simpson is currently a full professor in the Physics Department at Florida International University, which is the fourth-largest university in the country. She was awarded the Richard H. Emmons award for Excellence in College Astronomy Teaching by the Astronomical Society of the Pacific in 2016.

Sunday Morning: Carolyn Collins Petersen, Science Writer, CEO, Loch Ness Productions

Carolyn Collins Petersen

Title:

“Inside the Mind of the Science Writer and Her Audience”

Abstract:

Science writing explores some of the most fascinating and complex subjects in nature. It requires the author to either know a LOT about a subject or know who to ask about it. Then, she has to communicate it well to the audience. Writing itself is a talent that must be developed and honed for each type of audience. For example, a full-dome show or a documentary video requires a very different style of writing than for a book or an article. To paraphrase commentary from science-fiction writer Lois McMaster Bujold, the writing is not just words on a page or in a show. “It’s an event in the reader’s mind. It’s a process, through which an idea in my mind triggers an idea, more or less corresponding, in yours.”

The events and objects and processes that make up science are conveyed from me to the audience member in a creative and stimulating way. This talk takes a look at the process of science writing by way of examining the life and work of astronomer Maria Mitchell, celebrating her many contributions to astronomy. In particular, I will focus on how I am shaping my current book project to tell the story of Ms. Mitchell in the context of a larger look at how observatories do their work.

Bio:

Carolyn Collins Petersen is a long-time science writer whose work has appeared in full-dome videos, museum and science center exhibits, books, magazines, and online. Her latest book, “Space Exploration: Past, Present, Future” was released in the UK November 2017, and is now available worldwide. Her popular book “Astronomy 101: From the Sun and Moon to Wormholes and Warp Drive, Key Theories, Discoveries, and Facts about the Universe” is in its second edition, published by Adams Media, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.

In 1992 and 2002, Carolyn and co-author Jack Brandt published “Hubble Vision” and “Visions of the Cosmos,” respectively, through Cambridge University Press in England. She also served as co-editor on “The New Solar System,” published jointly by Sky Publishing Corporation and Cambridge University Press. Her first kids’ book in science, “Jupiter,” created with artist Don Davis, was published in 1989. Carolyn is currently writing a new astronomy book, due out from Amberley Press in late 2019.

In addition, she served as the senior author for the Griffith Observatory exhibits, NASA/JPL’s “Planetary Exploration” exhibition, a short-term exhibit called “California’s Altered State” for the California Academy of Sciences, and “Electricity and Spaceweather” for the Acton Children’s Museum in Massachusetts. She is currently working with two other observatories on their outreach programs.

Carolyn has authored more than 50 full-dome shows, numerous articles, and is the on-staff writing expert for ThoughtCo.com, covering astronomy, astrophysics, physics, and planetary science. She has served as onboard expert for Smithsonian Journeys, offering lectures on more than 20 cruises over the past nine years. Carolyn is currently at work on a new book about observatories, due out in 2019.

Carolyn obtained a masters’ degree in science journalism at the University of Colorado, where she also studied astronomy and astrophysics. While there, she worked as part of an instrument team for the Hubble Space Telescope and lectured at the Fiske Planetarium. After graduation, she worked at Sky Publishing as editor of books and products, editor-in-chief of SkyWatch Magazine, and associate editor for Sky & Telescope. She left there after four years to concentrate on Loch Ness Productions’ products and continue working with observatories and planetarium facilities on content projects.

Carolyn is a past president of the Rocky Mountain Planetarium Association, served as Publications Chair for the International Planetarium Society (1985-1990), and is currently a board member for IMERSA.org and serves as its communications officer.

Some useful links:

https://www.lochnessproductions.com/books/books.html

https://www.lochnessproductions.com/lnpages/ccp.html

http://thespacewriter.com/wp/ (my blog)

Meals

What’s StarFest without great food? We think you’ll be excited about our menu. Please pay attention if you want the vegetarian option for any specific meal in case you don’t want the main dish.

Friday Dinner

Panko Breaded Champagne Chicken w/ Champagne Mustard Sauce – Vegetarian: Eggplant Parmesan

Rice Pilaf, Honey Glazed Carrots, Rolls, Chocolate Brownies, Sweet & Unsweet Iced Tea

Saturday Breakfast

Pratt’s Honey Glazed Ham – Vegetarian: Egg, Cheese & Potato Casserole

Mini Biscuits, Homemade Mini Cinnamon Rolls, Fresh Seasonal Fruit, Coffee, Milk, OJ

Saturday Lunch

Delicious deli sandwiches on freshly baked authentic New York sesame, whole wheat and plain bagels with Boars Head brand roast beef, turkey, or black forest ham. All with cheese, tomatoes and lettuce. – Vegetarian: vegetable cream cheese spread on a bagel, topped with thinly sliced cucumbers lettuce and tomato

Potato Salad, Pasta Salad, Special dessert, Sweet & Unsweet Iced Tea

Saturday Dinner

Texas Style Beef Brisket – Vegetarian: Grilled Stuffed Portobello Mushroom

Tossed Spring Mix Salad with Asst. Dressings, Jonathan’s Smokehouse Beans, Corn Muffins, Special celebratory dessert!, Sweet & Unsweet Iced Tea

Sunday Breakfast

Pratt’s Tennessee Breakfast –Vegetarian: Egg, Cheese & Spinach Casserole

Eggs, Fresh Fruit, Bacon, Ham, Hash brown casserole, Grits, Biscuit, Gravy (no meat), Coffee, Milk, OJ

Sleeping Arrangements

If you want to sleep within the Park grounds (at no additional charge!), you can bring your sleeping gear and find a space in the Nature Center, but it must be put away before the building opens to the public at 8:30 a.m. Pitching a tent or using a hammock is fine and a great area is back behind the Farmstead up towards the Maintenance Building. This space will be out of the way of the general public and more secluded. Please, do not pitch a tent anywhere near the parking lots nor observatory. Also make sure tree damage does not occur. You can also sleep in your car or bring a small camper/popup. Please don’t park your camper near the Farmstead, but the side lots near the Amphitheater is a great place. Be aware that parking is very limited, so please do not use up many spots with a camper/popup. StarFest is the only event of the entire year in which we allow non-primitive camping.

For those wanting a little more comfiness in the evening, we have arranged for a special rate of $103+tax/night at the Marriott MeadowView Resort. This is the closest and also the most luxurious amenity in the Tri-Cities region. It is a four+ star facility. Call the MeadowView (423-578-6600) and ask for the StarFest rate or see the website to use the link to get the special rate. This rate is guaranteed up to September 21, 2018. Here’s the link:

http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=Bays%20Mtn%20Starfest%5Etricc%60sttstta%60103.00%60USD%60false%604%6010/11/18%6010/14/18%609/21/18&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes

Pets

If you have a dog, we are puppy-friendly, but they must be on a leash at all times, cleaned up after, and not allowed near any of the animal habitats.

Public Park Activities

As always, the schedule allows for many opportunities to enjoy the other park programming. Note, with your StarFest badge, you can receive free, on Oct. 12-14, entrance to the Park and passes to planetarium shows, nature programs and barge rides. Yes, you need your stinkin’ badge! Public planetarium shows are offered at 4 p.m. on Fridays and 1, 2, and 4 p.m. on weekends.

We have a brand-new lake vessel! Barge rides are a 45 min. tour of the lake and its natural habitats. They are at 3 p.m. on Fri. and 1, 2, & 5 p.m. on weekends. Nature programs are offered at 3 p.m. on weekends and the topic varies with each offering.

Note: the zip line is not included with registration. That is $10.

Please note that if your family arrives with you, they MUST be fully registered if they also want to partake of any of the meals or attend any of the StarFest talks.

The Bays Mountain Astronomy Club and Bays Mountain Park staff look forward to seeing you for StarFest 2018! Please contact me if you have any questions.

Adam Thanz; StarFest Chair; 423-224-2532