Star Party
Recent Events
Astronomy in the Park
AB Steam and the Acton Conservation Trust (ACT) hope you enjoyed Astronomy in the Park at Nara Park on Wednesday, November 6, 2024. Under a quarter moon, Astronomy in the Park drew a crowd of 120+ including astronomers and stargazers. Despite the cloud cover on that warm night, we observed Saturn with its rings, Jupiter and five of its moons, Dumbbell Nebula with green and red coloration from hydrogen and oxygen gases, Whirlpool Galaxy, Andromeda Galaxy and that beautiful moon.
AB STEAM thanks our volunteers + partners:
Amateur Telescope Makers of Boston (ATMoB) astronomers
ACT Volunteers
Town of Acton for Nara Park
We also thank our hospitality donors:
Volunteers who cooked chili + cornbread
Trader Joe’s in Acton for food + drink
Debra’s Natural Gourmet for eco bowls + cups
Bagel's Plus for compostable recyclables
EnergizeActon.org for support
Astronomy at Theater III
Thanks for celebrating AB PIP STEM's 24th anniversary and transition to AB STEAM by attending an astronomy play at Theater III.
Silent Sky is the true story of 19th-century astronomer Henrietta Leavitt who explored a woman’s place in society during a time of immense scientific discoveries when women’s ideas were often dismissed.
Star Parties
The Star Party is an indoor and outdoor (weather dependent) astronomy event, held rain or shine for 7th graders, accompanied by an adult. At the party, participants are introduced to star gazing by a Sky&Telescope Magazine representative before joining Galileo in the gym. Galileo, played by Mike Francis, gives the evening a historical spin, then encourages the audience to join the astronomers outside to view the stars.
The winter and spring skies deliver spectacular shows from Saturn's rings to the Orion nebula to storms on Jupiter. The star gazers finish with hot cocoa, snacks, and take-home activities.
We welcome student volunteers who want to teach astronomy to younger students.
This event ties in with the AB science curriculum.
Acton Star Party Clear Sky Clock
For a star gazing forecast, click the Acton Star Party Clear Sky Clock.
Galileo at the Star Party
Find out more about Stars for Starters: A Night Sky Poetry Guide by Mildred J. Nash by sending email to actonpip@gmail.com. Other resources include our local Acton Nature Guides
Photo: Courtesy of AB STEAM volunteer, Myda. The Image of Saturn was taken from a phone camera placed on the eyepiece of a telescope.
AB STEAM Volunteers: Dawn Petersen (astronomer + secretary) and KJ Herther (founder AB PIP STEM) at Theater III's presentation of Silent Sky. Don't miss Radium Girls (winter 2025).
At Home Activities
Astronomy Links
Volunteer Resources
Viewing the Night Sky Outdoors at the Star Party