Club Meetings:
We meet at First Prebyterian Church 118 West Commerce Street Smyrna Delaware on the first Tuesday of each monthfrom 7-9 PM. September to June.
The normal meeting format includes discussion of club activities, observing high lights, constellation and deep sky object of the month, an advertised presentation and possible guest speakers. We welcome the public to our meetings, membership is not required to attend. We are always open to suggestions for topics and guest speakers.
Club Observing:
Observing is (usually) scheduled for the Friday and Saturday nearest the New Moon to maximize the observing hours during complete darkness. During the summer months when the park is open the observing site will be at the baseball field in the camping area at Tuckahoe State Park. In the winter we observe at the Equestrian center. Observing at Tuckahoe is limited to members of the Delmarva Stargazers only. This is a park mandate to protect both us and the park with a limited guard force. The observing area must be left in the condition it was found, any unusual circumstances, damage or activity should be reported to the park rangers and the club president. Check the Delmarva Stargazers Yahoo Group for observing plans. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/delmarvastargazers/. The Rangers must be notified of our expected presence 24 hours in advance. The cloud or rain date for the monthly Friday observing will be the following Saturday, but don't trust the weather man! Go outside and look for yourself or check the CNN weather link on our web page.
Club Events:
We hold two Star Parties each year, in the spring it's the Star Gaze and in the fall it's No Frills both at Tuckahoe State Park's Equestrian Center. We're going GREEN and ask everyone to bring their own travel mugs and remove their own trash from the park.
We hold Mid Atlantic Mirror Making in March each year. It may be the only place on Earth where you can come on Friday and walk out with a finished mirror ready for coating on Sunday.