|
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
OCTOBER REGISTRATION Is LIVE now!
CAMPING FEES INCLUDED
PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS A TRIAL LIMIT OF 100 VEHICLES ON THE BALLFIELD OBSERVING SITE IN FORCE BY THE PARK SUPERVISOR, 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,
2024 dates
SPRING Star Party : (done)
OCTOBER Star Party : October 3-6
.
PLEASE NOTE: CYA STUFF HERE:
If the weather is less than optimal for observing (..let's say dismal or horrible..), we reserve the option to take a vote to end the party early. NOTE: this has happened only twice in over 30 years, by unanimous vote of attendees. BOTH times, one person (not the same one) showed up a day later than he informed me, and arrived to an empty site. IF ANY DOUBTS, (or lost) please TEXT OR CALL me directly at 717-891-8380 ** BEFORE** YOU MAKE THE TRIP.
If you supply your phone number, at least I can attempt to contact you. Internet service is not always dependable on site. I only use phone numbers in case of emergencies (like that close tornado in 2023).
Most people that have attended this party in the past show up rain or shine or consider it a donation to support the effort (greatly appreciated!). There is always camaraderie among 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,
2024 dates
SPRING Star Party : (done)
OCTOBER Star Party : October 3-6
.
PLEASE NOTE: CYA STUFF HERE:
If the weather is less than optimal for observing (..let's say dismal or horrible..), we reserve the option to take a vote to end the party early. NOTE: this has happened only twice in over 30 years, by unanimous vote of attendees. BOTH times, one person (not the same one) showed up a day later than he informed me, and arrived to an empty site. IF ANY DOUBTS, (or lost) please TEXT OR CALL me directly at 717-891-8380 ** BEFORE** YOU MAKE THE TRIP.
If you supply your phone number, at least I can attempt to contact you. Internet service is not always dependable on site. I only use phone numbers in case of emergencies (like that close tornado in 2023).
Most people that have attended this party in the past show up rain or shine or consider it a donation to support the effort (greatly appreciated!). There is always camaraderie among 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 [email protected].
Directions
You can also Google "Susquehannock State Park PA"
Facilities
This is probably the best site we’ve ever used. It is dark. It has flush toilets at modern bathrooms (with running WATER), a dumpster, a large pavilion, and potable water on site near the playground.
This site is flat and has a decent horizon, with a slight slope to the south, which improves the southern 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. 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 mostly live on canned food for a few days, since I'm requested to be on site during the entire event.
As mentioned below, the park has some permanent BBQ grills near the ballfield.
I should 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. Remember to bring ice if you need it. It is available at the Muddy Run Campground, and at several stores (including a Giant Supermarket) in the town of Buck, about 5 miles east.
BBQ grills are available, charcoal dump stations are provided, camp stoves 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 [email protected].
Directions
You can also Google "Susquehannock State Park PA"
Facilities
This is probably the best site we’ve ever used. It is dark. It has flush toilets at modern bathrooms (with running WATER), a dumpster, a large pavilion, and potable water on site near the playground.
This site is flat and has a decent horizon, with a slight slope to the south, which improves the southern 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. 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 mostly live on canned food for a few days, since I'm requested to be on site during the entire event.
As mentioned below, the park has some permanent BBQ grills near the ballfield.
I should 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. Remember to bring ice if you need it. It is available at the Muddy Run Campground, and at several stores (including a Giant Supermarket) in the town of Buck, about 5 miles east.
BBQ grills are available, charcoal dump stations are provided, camp stoves 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.