Wednesday, October 10, 2007

• Welcome and Orientation, 1:00 p.m., Etscorn Campus Observatory.
  
  
• Workshop: Hands-on Optics, Judy Stanley, National Radio Astronomy Observatory 1:30 p.m., at Etscorn Campus Observatory
  
  
• Mandatory Meeting for all participants planning to go to South Baldy, 3:00 p.m., Etscorn Campus Observatory
  
  
• Observing at 10,000 Feet -- atop Socorro County's South Baldy peak. Convoy leaves Socorro approximately 5:00 p.m.
  
  

Thursday, October 11, 2007

• Insider's Tour of the National Science Foundation's Very Large Array Radio Telescope. Tour begins at 1:00 p.m., at the VLA site, 50 miles West of Socorro.
  
  
• Field Trip and Tour to U.S. Air Force GEODSS deep-space surveillance facility at White Sands Missile Range.
  Depart Socorro at 5:30 p.m. for dinner in San Antonio, NM, then convoy through Stallion Gate to the GEODSS site. Briefing and tour begin at 7:30 p.m.
  Participants taking this tour must provide their names and Social Security Numbers in advance upon registering for the star party.
  
  
• Observing at the Etscorn Campus Observatory, 8:00 p.m.
  
  

Friday, October 12, 2007

• Historical Socorro Tour, 10:00 a.m. - noon.
  
  
• Orientation Presentation, 1:00 p.m., Etscorn Campus Observatory.
  
  
• Lecture: Cataclysmic Variables and Symbiotic Stars, Dr. Michael Rupen, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 1:30 p.m., at Etscorn Campus Observatory
  
  
• Lecture: Cosmic Explosions, Dr. Alicia Soderberg, Caltech, 3:00 p.m., at Etscorn Campus Observatory
  
  
• Keynote Lecture: Authors Jeff Kanipe and Dennis Webb, 7:00 p.m., Workman Center Auditorium, NM Tech Campus
  
  
• Observing at the Etscorn Campus Observatory, 8:30 p.m. This observing session is open to the public.
  
  
• Bill Spargo Memorial Lecture: Learning the Constellations, Etscorn Observatory, 9:00 p.m.
  
  
• Lecture: Beginning Amateur Astronomy, Etscorn Observatory, 9:00 p.m.
  
  

Saturday, October 13, 2007

• Lecture: Expanding the Very Large Array, Dr. Rick Perley, National Radio Astronomy Observatory, 1:30 p.m., at Etscorn Campus Observatory
  
  
• Saturday-night chuck-wagon dinner and observing at El Camino Real International Heritage Center, about 30 miles south of Socorro. Shuttle Service begins 3:00 p.m.; Dinner served at 5:00 p.m.
  
  
• Campfire Lecture, Sky Stories of Ancient America, G.B. Cornucopia, National Park Service, 7:00 p.m.
  
  

Throughout the Star Party:

• Drawings for numerous door prizes, including Thursday-night Early-Bird drawing for first-day arrivals.
  
  
• Displays by astronomical vendors.
  
  
• ...and more to come!