Heart of America Star Party
August 25-31, 2011

Presented by the Astronomical Society of Kansas City at the Dark Sky Site developed for and by amateur astronomers:

• 40-acre site owned by ASKC near the  Marais des Cynes River (pronounced: Mare-des-Zeen)
• Pristine parcel bordered by a 7,200-acre wildlife area
• Region known to French fur trappers in early 1800s.

Located for excellent observing:

• 75 miles south, away from Kansas City lights
• Nearly 6.7 limiting magnitude (based on SQM-L averages)
• New date for 2011 for late summer getaway

Improved facilities with NEWer building in 2009:

• Wide area has plenty of room for tents, trailers, RVs
• Electricity for astronomical equipment, laptops, free on a first-come, first-serve basis
• Port-a-potties and showers on site (please bring your own drinking water)
• NEWer building provides a permanent shelter for programs and activities

               
Available nearby amenities and off-site activities:

• 15 miles from Butler, Mo. for hotels (with pools), restaurants, etc-- see nearby lodging and nearby restaurants (links to Google maps).
• Bates County Museum of Pioneer History, in Butler more info--http://home.earthlink.net/~bcmuseum/
• Nearby Mine Creek Museum with tours of Civil War site where the second-largest single-day cavalry battle was waged--www.minecreek.org