The fourth annual Michiana Star Party, “MSP4,” at Dr. T.K. Lawless Park, 15000 Monkey Run Rd., Vandalia, will take place May 18-20. Join telescope-toting men and women from the tri-state region at Lawless Park in the dark-sky territory of Vandalia.
Experience classic, antique, new and unique handmade telescopes. Rustic camping is the norm, so if you need electricity for a telescope, pack a deep cycle battery and an inverter.
Lawless Park has star magnitudes near 6.0+, which translates into some very dark and steady skies.
The speaker lineup for after dinner Friday is Fr. Jim Fahey (Notre Dame), Jim Hopkins and Robert Parrish, followed by informal talks by attendees.  The Saturday program includes NASA speaker Steven Williams, Erik Hendricks, Jim Hopkins and Chuck Bueter. There will be an astronomy trivia contest after the dinner break.
There will be many telescopes of different makes, shapes and sizes to look through to see the sun, stars, planets and deep sky objects, including nebulae and galaxies.
Astronomy-themed vendors will be on-site. See its website for more information about the recycled art contest, Gravel Creek bluegrass band, Birds of Prey, John Dudley magic show and more: http://earthdaypark.webs.com.
Visit the website for a star party registration form. The pre-registration deadline for reduced rates ends Monday.