As you may already know, due to the extremely dark skies we can have here, this can be an excellent and very unusual event during your visit.

    We (I) will provide an accomplished amateur astronomer (probably myself), an 8" telescope or larger, and perhaps tripod mounted binoculars, for 2 hours of observing on one night of your visit.  We will be available for these star parties between May and Oct.  If cloudy skies or extremely cold temperatures should exist, we will try to provide another night during your visit, but this can't be promised.  If you cancel at least 3 days in advance, no fee will be charged.  Less than three days in advance and a minimum 50% of the full fee would be expected.  If we cannot set up for you due to inclement weather, we will not charge a fee but as schedules have been blocked out for your event, any gratuity would be appreciated as our astronomer can't control the weather & has blocked out that evening for your star party.  15 to 50% is suggested.

    The fee for this "star party" is $200., payable at the time of the star party as per a one/two family display.  Open to all at the B&B for $300.  If the B&B wishes to take credit cards for their guests & remunerate me accordingly, that's fine, as I can only take cash or check.  If we go into a third hour or more, a larger remuneration or a gratuity would be appropriate.  However, most star parties begin after 9 or 9:30pm due to twilight and darkness at this latitude and parents are expected to participate with their children.

    I (our astronomer) can be available to provide an indoor presentation of 5-10 min. about the Jackson area sky conditions, what to expect to see outside, and to answer questions.  Setup normally takes about 15 min.  We'll start things off with a brief tour of the constellations that all can see, for an orientation of what's in the sky and what to expect as we start observing through the telescope.  Then, we'll proceed to show some of the more interesting sky objects depending on their availability from this latitude at that time of year, such as: the Moon, planets, star clusters, nebulae, meteor showers, passing satellites, colorful stars, double stars, or galaxies.  I'll find an object in the telescope and show it to all interested before we move on to another object.  Within reason, we'll take requests to view certain objects and welcome the assistance of anyone in your group who might be an amateur astronomer themselves. (We can observe the sun [sunspots, etc.] if I'm invited to come out before sunset.

    Your party should dress warmly.  Even in the summer, it can get quite cool after the sun goes down.  Gloves are a most desirable item of apparel.  I'll have red flashlights to move in and out around the telescopes.  I or the B&B, will try to bring several chairs to the observing site which will facilitate your comfort when not observing at the telescopes.  If you have children, they are welcome, but must be controlled accordingly as the telescopes are fragile and valuable, although we'll certainly place them and protect them accordingly to avoid any potential problems.  If we are in a public area, we might have people stop by & ask to take a look.  We won't refuse anyone the opportunity to take a quick look if we're in a public place, but I'll advise them of the private nature of the setup & after momentarily visiting with them, continue only with the B&B guests.

 If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact me...

Sincerely,