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About York County Star Party
Your local Star Party
Check this page often for notes and updates
Note the Location: Susquehannock State Park, 1880 Park Dr, Drumore, PA 17518
REGISTRATION Is LIVE NOW!
CAMPING FEES INCLUDED
PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS A TRIAL LIMIT OF 100 VEHICLES ON THE BALLFIELD OBSERVING SITE IN FORCE, IN ORDER TO PROTECT THIS BEAUTIFUL PARK. PLEASE DON'T PROCRASTINATE.
CAUTION!
This is Amish Country. BEWARE OF HORSE-DRAWN BUGGIES IN THIS AREA
FOR UPDATES, PLEASE JOIN THE GIO GROUP MAILING LIST: https://groups.io/g/YCSP
The Events:
The York County Star Parties (YCSP) are annual dark-sky amateur astronomy observing events, Wednesday to Sunday morning, four days and nights,
2023 dates
SPRING Star Party : June 14-18
NEXT>>> FALL Star Party : September 13-17.
.
PLEASE NOTE: If weather is less than optimal for observing (..let's say dismal..), we reserve the option to take a vote to end the party early. If ANY DOUBTS, (or lost) please TEXT OR CALL me directly at 717-891-8380 ** BEFORE** YOU MAKE THE TRIP. Most people that have attended this party in the past show up rain or shine, there is always camaraderie meeting astronomy friends here again.
PLEASE join YCSP GIO group where you can meet most participants, and GET current info.
To join YCSP GIO Group click here or copy paste this link into your browser: https://groups.io/g/YCSP
The York County Star Parties (YCSP) are annual dark-sky amateur astronomy observing events, Wednesday to Sunday morning, four days and nights,
2023 dates
SPRING Star Party : June 14-18
NEXT>>> FALL Star Party : September 13-17.
.
PLEASE NOTE: If weather is less than optimal for observing (..let's say dismal..), we reserve the option to take a vote to end the party early. If ANY DOUBTS, (or lost) please TEXT OR CALL me directly at 717-891-8380 ** BEFORE** YOU MAKE THE TRIP. Most people that have attended this party in the past show up rain or shine, there is always camaraderie meeting astronomy friends here again.
PLEASE join YCSP GIO group where you can meet most participants, and GET current info.
To join YCSP GIO Group click here or copy paste this link into your browser: https://groups.io/g/YCSP
2019 Star Party photo above.
Location:
New location - Susquehannock State Park
(use 1880 Park Dr, Drumore, PA 17518 for your GPS or the coordinates given below) and a Bortle Class 4 darksky location as per Lightpollutionmap.info. The location is on the bank of Susquehanna River, off US 1, North of MD border in Lancaster County PA. It is, a convenient site with easy access to many mid-Atlantic cities including Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Delaware, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, NOVA and Washington DC. Seeing is better than all the previous YCSP sites and sometimes excellent. Light pollution is not a serious issue. You can see the majestic Milky-way quite well.
Click here to open in Google Maps
GPS: Latitude: 39.805026 Longitude: -76.282828
Star Party contact: 717-891-8380 or email starpartyphil@comcast.net.
Directions
You can also Google "Susquehannock State Park PA"
Facilities
This is probably the best site we’ve ever had. It is dark. It has flush toilets at modern bathrooms (WITH HOT AND COLD WATER), a large pavilion, electric (only at the pavilion) and water on site..
This site is flat and has a decent horizon, with a slight slope to the south, which improves the south view. Situated at an elevation about 500 feet above the river, and all local lighting is hidden by the trees.
NEW THIS YEAR: the small amount of lighting in this state park WILL ALL BE RED FILTERED OR SHADED WITH RED BINS TO PREVENT ANY WHITE LIGHT TO BE SEEN FROM EITHER OBSERVING FIELD.
Cell phone coverage is OK, depending on your carrier.
FOOD - Click Food Vendors link at the top of the pages. The Busy Bee is no more. I suggest you plan on being as self-sufficient as you can be for food, or plan on trips to some of the many places within 5 miles for food and/or ice.
I am planning to have some items for cooking available (possibly a gas camp stove or a BBQ grill), but if you need charcoal or propane, it would be best to bring your own.
BBQ grills are available, charcoal dump stations are provided, campstoves are permitted. No direct-on-ground fires permitted. I have some other alternatives I am considering offering.
There are also numerous eateries a few miles away. Muddy Run Park has a food concession, and the town of Buck, at the intersection of routes 272 and 372, offers several choices, and is only a few miles away.
Please also read "Rules and FAQ's" Page for more details.
Location:
New location - Susquehannock State Park
(use 1880 Park Dr, Drumore, PA 17518 for your GPS or the coordinates given below) and a Bortle Class 4 darksky location as per Lightpollutionmap.info. The location is on the bank of Susquehanna River, off US 1, North of MD border in Lancaster County PA. It is, a convenient site with easy access to many mid-Atlantic cities including Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Delaware, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, NOVA and Washington DC. Seeing is better than all the previous YCSP sites and sometimes excellent. Light pollution is not a serious issue. You can see the majestic Milky-way quite well.
Click here to open in Google Maps
GPS: Latitude: 39.805026 Longitude: -76.282828
Star Party contact: 717-891-8380 or email starpartyphil@comcast.net.
Directions
You can also Google "Susquehannock State Park PA"
Facilities
This is probably the best site we’ve ever had. It is dark. It has flush toilets at modern bathrooms (WITH HOT AND COLD WATER), a large pavilion, electric (only at the pavilion) and water on site..
This site is flat and has a decent horizon, with a slight slope to the south, which improves the south view. Situated at an elevation about 500 feet above the river, and all local lighting is hidden by the trees.
NEW THIS YEAR: the small amount of lighting in this state park WILL ALL BE RED FILTERED OR SHADED WITH RED BINS TO PREVENT ANY WHITE LIGHT TO BE SEEN FROM EITHER OBSERVING FIELD.
Cell phone coverage is OK, depending on your carrier.
FOOD - Click Food Vendors link at the top of the pages. The Busy Bee is no more. I suggest you plan on being as self-sufficient as you can be for food, or plan on trips to some of the many places within 5 miles for food and/or ice.
I am planning to have some items for cooking available (possibly a gas camp stove or a BBQ grill), but if you need charcoal or propane, it would be best to bring your own.
BBQ grills are available, charcoal dump stations are provided, campstoves are permitted. No direct-on-ground fires permitted. I have some other alternatives I am considering offering.
There are also numerous eateries a few miles away. Muddy Run Park has a food concession, and the town of Buck, at the intersection of routes 272 and 372, offers several choices, and is only a few miles away.
Please also read "Rules and FAQ's" Page for more details.