Save the Date!
The 2022 HOASP is on, and will be held at ASKC's Dark Sky Site on September 23rd - 25th, 2022.
Check back for details.
The Heart of America Star Party is the ASKC’s largest annual event, hosted at our 40-acre Dark Sky Site (DSS), 75 miles South of Kansas City.
Join us for:
- 6.3 limiting magnitude (based on SQM-L averages)
- Plenty of room for tents, trailers & RVs
- Power hookups available
- New shower/toilet facilities & fresh water on tap
- Nearby Civil War museums & historical sites
- Services & hotels located in nearby Butler, Mo.
The 2021 Heart of America Star Party (HOASP) was a great success!
Over 60 attendees enjoyed several nights of observing under truly dark skies, terrific guest speakers, fun daytime activities, and great food.
Last Year's Schedule
THURSDAY, OCT. 7
12:00 P.M. Gates officially open
12:00 P.M.–2:00 P.M. Registration
6:30 P.M.–7:30 P.M. Registration
6:51 P.M. SUNSET
FRIDAY, OCT. 8
10:00 A.M.–11:00 A.M. BRUNCH Contentinal breakfast, including cold cereals, bagels and cream
cheese, muffins, fruit, coffee, various juices
11:00 A.M.–1:00 P.M. Registration
11:00 A.M. GPS Geocaching Treasure Hunt
12:00 P.M. Solar observing, mirror cleaning, Newtonian telescope collimation
2:00 P.M.–4:00 P.M. Swap Meet
5:30 P.M.–6:00 P.M. Registration
5:00 P.M.–6:00 P.M. DINNER Two Guys and a Grill: hamburgers or grilled chicken, or all beef
hot dogs, regular and BBQ chips, coleslaw, baked beans, water
6:50 P.M. Door prizes
7:00 P.M. SCOTT ROBERTS, Explore Scientific via Zoom “The Power of Stargazing”
6:50 P.M. SUNSET
SATURDAY, OCT. 9
9:30 A.M.–11:00 A.M. BRUNCH Two Guys and a Grill Box Lunch: sliced deli meats on a hoagie roll
with American cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles, chips, pasta
salad, chocolate chip cookie
11:00 A.M.–1:00 P.M. Registration
11:00 A.M. GPS Geocaching Treasure Hunt
12:00 P.M. Solar observing
1:30 P.M.–3:30 P.M. Swap Meet/Civil War historical site tour (Battle of Mine Creek)
4:00 P.M.–5:00 P.M. DAVID MCCALLIE in person “SharpCap Stacking Software”
5:00 P.M.–6:00 P.M. STAR-B-Q BBQ Next Year’s Winner: brisket and pulled pork, baked
beans, coleslaw, salad, bread, dessert, drinks
6:50 P.M. Door prizes
7:00 P.M. MICHAEL BAKICH via Zoom “Solar Eclipses: The Cool, The Bizzare, The Wonderful”
6:48 P.M. SUNSET
SUNDAY, OCT. 10
10:00–11:00 A.M. BRUNCH Refrigerator Roulette, coffee, drinks
6:47 P.M. SUNSET
Photos From Recent HOASPs
Aerial View of the 2017 HOASP
Credit: Jim Ketchum
Aerial View of the 2016 HOASP
Credit: Jim Ketchum