The TMSPA Weblog

Registration Now Open!

Doug Groesbeck — Tue, 01 May 2012 07:19:03 +0000

Early Registration for TMSP 2012 is now open!

Early Registration will continue through April 31st. Take advantage of the reduced rates by registering now!

Registration fees will increase $10.00 per person on June 1st when we transition to the Regular Registration period.

Registration fees have remained unchanged from last year, with the exception of the cost of meals ordered with your registration which saw a small increase due to rising food costs.

We look forward to seeing you in July on the mountain!

-The TMSPA Staff

TMSP 2012

Doug Groesbeck — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 08:31:03 +0000

We’ve been stealthy-quiet here at The Table Mountain Star Party Association. But that doesn’t mean that we are not busy preparing for TMSP 2012! So without further ado, here’s the Big News:

Early Registration for the 2012 Table MountainStar Party will open on Tuesday, May 1st

Updates to the tmspa.com website are nearing completion and will be rolled out in the early morning hours on Tuesday.

The dates for TMSP this year are July 19, 20 & 21.

More updates will be posted here in conjunction with the rollout for opening registration.

-The TMSPA Staff

Be on the lookout for trucks!

Doug Groesbeck — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 05:46:03 +0000

The Forest Service has communicated with TMSPA that a contractor will be operating haul trucks on the NFS3500 / Reecer Creek Road Monday through Friday next week.

For those of you who are Table Mountain veterans, the route the trucks will be using is from the NFS3517 road all the way down to the start of the NFS3500 road where Reecer Creek road becomes NFS3500. The NFS3517 road joins NFS3500 about one-half mile past the last switchback uphill S-turn on the paved portion of the road.

This means you could come face-to-face with a semi-tractor and have to back down to the first safe pullout on the road for the truck to pass. For those of you driving RV’s or pulling trailers, this could be a nerve-wracking encounter.

As always, please drive safely!!! There’s no need to rush up the Forest Service roads: Table Mountain will still be there if you take your time to be cautious on the road up the mountain.

-The TMSPA Staff

On-Site Registration

Doug Groesbeck — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:54:36 +0000

All pre-registration is now closed, however there is still space available and there will be On-Site Registration at Table Mountain this year.

Information and a link to the On-Site Registration Form can be found on the Registration Page of the TMSP website.

Only cash and checks will be accepted for On-Site Registration payments.

The majority of the TMSPA Directors will be on-site by Monday, July 25th. If there are any updates to registration restrictions, we will post them here (if possible) on the Weblog.

We hope to see you on the mountain!

-The TMSPA Staff

REMINDER: Possible I-90 Snoqualmie Pass Construction Delays

Doug Groesbeck — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:44:35 +0000

Just a reminder:

Due to construction and blasting projects in the Snoqualmie Pass area of I-90, TMSPA would like to advise those using that route to get to Table Mountain to check with the Washington State Department of Transportation for possible delays at the time you plan traveling.

Information on the projects and delays are available through the WSDOT website at:

http://wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts/snoqualmie.aspx

-The TMSPA Staff

Registration Period Extended

Doug Groesbeck — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 15:42:04 +0000

The period for Online Registration has been extended through Monday, July 18th. Registrations paid using PayPal only are being accepted at this time.

Information regarding possible On-Site Registration will be posted to the TMSPA website on Tuesday, July 19th.

-The TMSPA Staff

Special Screening: THE CITY DARK

Doug Groesbeck — Sat, 16 Jul 2011 13:57:32 +0000

The Table Mountain Star Party Association has made arrangement to provide a screening of the award-winning documentary THE CITY DARK.

THE CITY DARK is a feature documentary about light pollution and the disappearing night sky, premiering in competition at the 2011 South by Southwest Film Festival. After moving to New York City from rural Maine, filmmaker Ian Cheney asks a simple question, “Do we need the stars?” Exploring the threat of killer asteroids in Hawaii, tracking hatching turtles along the Florida coast, and rescuing injured birds on Chicago streets, Cheney unravels the myriad implications of a globe glittering with lights – including increased breast cancer rates from exposure to light at night, and a generation of kids without a glimpse of the universe above. Featuring stunning astrophotography and a cast of eclectic scientists, philosophers, historians and lighting designers, THE CITY DARK is the definitive story of light pollution and the disappearing stars.

The film includes interviews and commentary from:

Neil deGrasse Tyson – Astrophysicist, Hayden Planetarium

Don Pettit – Astronaut, NASA

Ann Druyan – Co-writer, Cosmos

Jack Newton – Astrophotographer

Chris Impey – Cosmologist, University of Arizona

Jeffrey Kuhn – Astronomer, University of Hawai’i

Roger Ekirch – Historian, Virginia Tech

Jane Brox – Author, Brilliant

Bill Sharpe – Historian, Barnard College

Susan Elbin – Ornithologist

Dr. Steven Lockley – Professor, Harvard University

Dr. Richard Stevens – Epidemiologist, University of CT

Dr. George Brainard – Neurologist, University of Pennsylvania

Dr. David Blask – Cellular Biologist, Tulane University

Jon Shane – Criminologist

Herve Descottes – Lighting Designer

TMSPA will be screening THE CITY DARK on Friday evening at 8pm in the Speakers Tent. Please check at the Info Booth for any schedule changes.

More information on the film can be found at THE CITY DARK website.

-The TMSPA Staff

Enjoy a Planetarium Show at TMSP!

Doug Groesbeck — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 16:56:57 +0000

We are very excited to announce the addition of a portable planetarium to the activities at TMSP this year. Jonathan Fay, who has been a Guest Speaker at TMSP, in conjunction with Microsoft Research, will be hosting free planetarium shows throughout the star party for both students and adults in an inflatable planetarium powered by the WorldWide Telescope.

Familiarize yourself with the sky and some of the treats the sky has to offer and learn how to find them. You can also fly out of the Milky way and see alien galaxies. Since outside air is constantly being pumped in to keep the dome inflated, it stays much cooler than a closed tent.

The tent has a capcity of about 12 adults.

We are still developing the schedules for showings of the programs. Please check your 2011 TMSP Newsletter when you check in at the mountain, or at the Info Booth for schedules.

Learn more about WorldWide telescope at http://www.worldwidetelescope.org

- The TMSPA Staff

IMPORTANT: Registration Update

Doug Groesbeck — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 16:50:47 +0000

The period for mail-in registrations has now closed. If you registered using the mail-in payment option, please send your registrations in ASAP, as we will not be checking our PO Box after July 15th.

Online registrations are still being accepted through July 15th when using PayPal as the payment method.

At this time, we have not reached our capacity limit and it is very likely that we will be offering on-site registration this year. Please check the TMSPA website for information regarding on-site registration after July 15th.

-The TMSPA Staff

Possible I-90 Snoqualmie Pass Construction Delays

Doug Groesbeck — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 00:19:36 +0000

Information on the projects and delays are available through the WSDOT website at:

http://wsdot.wa.gov/traffic/trafficalerts/snoqualmie.aspx

-The TMSPA Staff

2011 Meal Menus Posted

Doug Groesbeck — Sun, 01 May 2011 17:58:56 +0000

Deb Losse has whipped up another fantastic meal menu that she and her crew will be preparing on the mountain this year. The 2011 menu is posted on the Food Services page on the TMSPA website.

These meals can only be purchased with your registration. If you’re looking to cut down on the amount of food you need to bring, purchasing these dinners can lighten the camping (and cooler) load.

And for those between-meal snacks or simpler fare than what’s offered for dinner, Doyle can whip up some awfully good grub at the Food Wagon, or you can choose from a variety of snack foods and beverages.

And for those needing caffeine boosts, Jody will be serving up espresso drinks to keep you running day or night.

Telescope Building Program Kit Availability

Doug Groesbeck — Sun, 01 May 2011 17:49:50 +0000

The kits for the 10″ reflector have all been sold.

Kits for the 3.5″ refractor and 5″ reflector are limited but still available and will sell out quickly with the popularity of this program. Please email scopekit@tmspa.com with your inquiries on kit availability.

-The TMSPA Staff

Registration Now Open

Doug Groesbeck — Sun, 01 May 2011 07:36:11 +0000

Registration for the 2011 Table Mountain Star Party is now open.

Early Registration will run from May 1st to May 31st with the discounted fees of $60 for the first registrant, $40 for additional adults and $15 for Students ages 7-17 (there is no fee for children 6 and under). Fees will increase $10 per person effective June 1st, so save some money and register early!

Registration is available online through our Online Registration System, with the option of printing and mailing your registration form with your payment, or paying online using PayPal.

Jump straight to the TMSPA Registration Page for all the info.

Just a reminder: TMSP takes place July 28-30, 2011

We hope to see you on the Mountain in July!

-The TMSPA Staff

Telescope Building Program Update

Doug Groesbeck — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 22:06:50 +0000

Telescope Building Program activities will be scheduled for Thursday and Friday starting around 10:00 AM, with three to four kits scheduled for building for each day.

We are looking at introducing two new telescope kits to this program and would like some feedback from interested parties.

One of the new telescopes will be a 10″ f/5 reflector on a Dobsonian mount. This kit will cost about $375.

Another new scope is a 3.5″ f/5.5refractor. You may have seen a prototype on site last year. This kit will cost about $135.

There will also be the original 5″ f/8 reflector that we have had in past years for $135.

We will have a limited number of each type of kit available, and anticipate having a total of seven to eight kits built. To help us plan, we would like to hear from you if you are interested building any of these telescopes. Please email scopekit@tmspa.com with your interest or with any questions.

-The TMSPA Staff

2011 Registration Dates

Doug Groesbeck — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 22:06:39 +0000

Listed below are the registration dates for the 2011 Table Mountain Star Party. Please note the dates and fees: save money by registering early!

Early Registration will open on May 1st and close on May 31st.

Registration fees during the Early Registration period will be at the discounted rate of $60 for the first registrant, $40 for additional adults and $15 for students. Children 6 and under are free.

Regular Registration will continue starting June 1st and continue through July 15th or until we reach our capacity of 700 attendees.

Regular Registration fees are $70 for the first registrant, $50 for additional adults and $25 for students. Children 6 and under are free.

Registration will be available online through our Online Registration System, with the option of printing and mailing your registration form with your payment, or paying online using PayPal.

Mail-in registrations will be accepted until July 2nd, at which point only registrations done online with PayPal payments will be accepted.

-The TMSPA Staff

TMSP 2011 Reminder: Mark Your Calendar, Save The Date!

Doug Groesbeck — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 18:47:54 +0000

TMSPA would like to wish all of you a Happy and Prosperous New Year in 2011 !!

We would also like to remind you that the dates for the 2011 Table Mountain Star Party will be July 28th through July 30th, 2011. Please mark your calendar for those dates if you are planning on joining us on the mountain this year.

Please note: The Table Mountain Star Party and the Oregon Star Party will not be running on the same dates this year.

The date for the opening of registration for TMSP 2011 will be determined before the end of January, and it will be announcement here on the Weblog once that date is set, as well as posting that info on the TMSPA website.

As always, we look forward to seeing you on the mountain this year!

-The TMSPA Staff

Planning for On-Site Registration

Doug Groesbeck — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:52:48 +0000

Here are some tips if you did not pre-register and are planning on coming to TMSP and registering on-site:

Check this Weblog and TMSPA website

Arrive Early – Wednesday and Thursday are our largest projected arrival days for attendees. 80% of the pre-registered attendees plan on being on-site by Thursday.

Registration Hours – The Registration Tent opens and 9AM and closes at 8PM.

Come Prepared – Download, print and fill out the On-Site Registration Form from the TMSPA website and bring it with you. Remember that we will only accept cash and check payments for on-site registrations.

Be Patient – If you arrive on Wednesday or Thursday, expect there to be a line at the Registration Tent. Have your registration form and payment ready. Pull over as far as possible to the right side of the road as you approach the Registration Tent and follow the directions of the parking staff.

We expect Thursday afternoon and evening to be the busiest time for on-site registration.

We hope to see you on the mountain!

-TMSPA Staff

On-Site Registration Available

Doug Groesbeck — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 16:47:42 +0000

TMSP still has room available and will be accepting On-Site Registrations this year.

More information and the On-Site Registration Form can be found on the Registration Page of the TMSPA website.

On-Site Registration will only be open until we reach our capacity of 700 persons. The Registration Tent will open Wednesday afternoon. On-Site Registrations will not be able to purchase meals or annual shirts. Shower tickets can be purchased with your registration or at the Stuff Shack.

-The TMSPA Staff

Early Arrival Information

Doug Groesbeck — Sat, 10 Jul 2010 22:46:04 +0000

The permit issued by the US Forest Service gives TMSPA official use of the site beginning on Wednesday, August 11th.

If you are on-site prior to August 11th, you will need to follow US Forest Service regulations for the use of wilderness areas. Please check the US Forest Service website for more information regarding use of wilderness areas.

-The TMSPA Staff

2010 TMSP Preliminary Event Schedule Posted

Doug Groesbeck — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 07:15:10 +0000

A preliminary schedule of events for TMSP 2010 has been posted on the General Information page of the TMSPA website. All times and dates are approximate and subject to change. The final events schedule will be posted and included in your newsletter that comes with the registration packet you receive when you check in at the Registration Tent.

Please note that due to limitations imposed by the US Forest Service, portable toilets are not scheduled to be delivered to the site until Wednesday, August 11th. If you arrive early, be prepared to trek to the Forest Service pit toilet on the Lion Rock road when “nature calls”.

-The TMSPA Staff

TMSPA Accepting Online Payments

Doug Groesbeck — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 15:56:05 +0000

TMSPA is pleased to announce that starting this year, you will be able to pay your registration fee online. We have partnered with PayPal to accept online payments using your credit or debit card. A PayPal account is not required to make use of this service, though you may also use your PayPal account if you have one.

Making your payment online eliminates the hassle of printing the form and mailing your payment.

There will be a $5.00 fee added to your registration if you pay online through PayPal. This fee is in place solely to cover our cost of processing the transaction through PayPal.

Online payments will only be available to those that register through TMSPA’s Online Registration System and choose the PayPal payment option. We cannot accept payments via PayPal for other registration methods at this time.

-The TMSPA Staff

Table Mountain Star Party Registration Opens April 1st

Doug Groesbeck — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 03:36:37 +0000

No, it’s not an April Fool’s joke – registration for the 2010 Table Mountain Star Party will open on April 1, 2010.

If you’ve been checking the Table Mountain Star Party website, you might have noticed that registration was going to open around that time, but now we’re making it official. The Online Registration system will be going live at that time. Or, if you prefer, the old printable registration form will be posted at that time also for you to download. Either way, mark your calendar for April 1st.

We’re looking forward to seeing you on the mountain again this year!

-The TMSPA Staff

Happy New Year from TMSPA!

Doug Groesbeck — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 18:08:05 +0000

TMSPA would like to wish all of you a Happy and Prosperous New Year!

We would also like to remind you that the dates for the 2010 Table Mountain Star Party will be August 12th through August 14th. Please mark your calendars for those dates if you are planning on joining us on the mountain this year.

Registration for TMSP 2010 should open in early to mid-May and we will make an announcement here on the Weblog once the date for the opening of registration is set, as well as posting that info on the TMSPA website.

-The TMSPA Staff

Registration Update – Thursday 7/23, 3:00PM

Doug Groesbeck — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 21:47:12 +0000

As of the time of above, we still have space available for On-Site Registrations.

“Houston, prepare for LOS”

Doug Groesbeck — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:05:42 +0000

As we celebrate to the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing, some of you who were around then might remember that phrase being transmitted from the Apollo spacecraft as they transited the far side of the Moon and lost radio communication. “LOS” was one of the plethora of acronyms used, and meant “Loss of Signal”.

We are going to experience our own LOS. The majority of TMSPA Directors are now either on the mountain or in-transit. Emails sent to tmspa.com addresses will not be received until after the event.

We will have limited connectivity on the mountain starting on Thursday, thanks to NomadISP and their WiFi Internet service, but we will not be actively monitoring or responding to emails. We will post critical announcements to this Weblog and website as necessary. If you are planning on coming and registering on-site, check here and the TMSPA website for those updates.

-TMSPA Staff