Mid Atlantic Star Party

The Mid Atlantic Star Party (MASP) is an annual autumn gathering of amateur astronomers near Robbins, North Carolina, where telescopes fill dark fields under some of the clearest skies on the U.S. East Coast.

About Mid Atlantic Star Party

MASP began in 1995 and grew into one of the largest amateur astronomy gatherings on the East Coast, ranking alongside Vermont's Stellafane and Florida's Winter Star Party in size and reputation. Each fall, typically around October, hundreds of astronomers converge near Robbins, North Carolina, to observe together under dark, rural skies.

History

For its first decade, MASP was hosted at the Occoneechee Council Boy Scout camp, a wooded site chosen for its distance from city lighting. The event's popularity even helped spur the creation of a regional "dark park," a protected area set aside specifically to keep light pollution away from stargazers. Like many gatherings, MASP paused in 2020 due to the pandemic.

Location & getting there

The star party takes place in the countryside near Robbins, North Carolina, chosen for skies that stay darker than much of the surrounding region.

Visiting Mid Atlantic Star Party

MASP is open to amateur astronomers and enthusiasts who want to join for a weekend of dark-sky observing. Check the event website for current dates, registration, and directions before planning a trip.

See your named star from here

A star party is exactly the kind of place to put a named star to use: attendees bring personal telescopes that can be pointed at any set of coordinates, including the right ascension and declination on a star certificate. If you've named a star with Star Register, an event like MASP is a great excuse to finally see it.