Star party

The idea of a star party is not new and allegedly goes back at least as far as George III of the United Kingdom, who was passionately interested in astronomy and mathematics. On nights when poor weather blocked the view of the real stars and planets, attendants are said to have hung paper lanterns marked with drawings in the trees around the royal palace to provide something else for the King and his guests to spot through their telescopes. ==Public star parties==

Star parties whose focus is on bringing the stars to the people are often staged in urban areas where people congregate in large numbers. This is in contrast to star parties typically held in remote dark-sky areas more conducive to stargazing. In the US, notable star parties include the annual Winter Star Party, held in the Florida Keys; the Mid Atlantic Star Party, held on the east coast of the United States; the Oregon Star Party; the Stellafane Convention, held in Vermont; the Texas Star Party, held in west Texas; and the Okie-Tex Star Party, held near Kenton, Oklahoma. In Canada, Starfest, held near Ayton, Ontario, is organized by the North York Astronomical Association. In the United Kingdom, notable annual star parties include the Springand Autumn[http://starparty.las-astro.org.uk/index.php Equinox star parties held at Kelling Heath Holiday Parkand Kielder[http://kielderforeststarcamp.org/ in Northumbria. In Australia, the South Pacific Star Party is held each year. In Sri Lanka, Star Party Sri Lanka is held annually at the University of Peradeniya premises. ==See also==