******* WINTER STAR PARTY NEWS *******

Last Updated: November 19, 2008 6:28 PM

November 19 , 2008 - Ticket sales for the 2009 WSP will be officially closed as of Nov. 22nd! If your application is postmarked on or before Nov 21st, your application will be honored. The Registrars plan to start mailing out tickets on Friday, Nov. 21st.

November 12 , 2008 - Micki's Kitchen will be serving the Daily Dinner Special with "Pre-Pay" available! Please view the Daily Dinner Special Menu at the "Food Services" menu selection to the left. You can download the "Pre-Pay Form" on the link provided. If you like, you can use "PayPal" to place your order also.

November 12 , 2008 - All available RV space for the 2009 WSP is now reserved! The WSP Registrars informed me also this morning that the 2009 WSP is "very close" to a sell out! Get those registrations in ASAP!

November 9 , 2008 - Comet Lulin (C/2007 N3) Ephemerides posted in the "Nightsky" section (see toolbar on the left)

November 6 , 2008 - Reserve Your Parking Spot at the United Methodist Church of Big Pine Key!

The United Methodist Church of Big Pine Key has once again extended an invitation for a limited number of cars and RV's to park over night before entering the Winter Star Party.

They have room for 3 RV's (no hookups) and 17 cars for a fee (paid directly to the Church) of $10.00 per car and $20.00 per RV or vehicle taking more than one space. Arrival time is 8 PM Friday night February 20th, there will be a rest room available.

Since this arrangement has nothing to do with WSP, we ask that you contact Toni during church business hours (9AM to 2PM, Monday thru Friday) to make your arrangements. This offer is on a first come first served basis and by reservations only. Payments will go directly to the United Methodist Church.  305-872-2470

We hope you take advantage of this gracious offer.

Charlie Perillo

WSP, Host Coordinator

August 3, 2008 - Calling All Winter Star Party Attendees!

The Southern Cross Astronomical Society (SCAS) is working against a deadline to produce a Special Edition of the Society Newsletter “Coal Sack” dedicated to the upcoming 25th Annual Winter Star Party, to be held February 21-28, 2009.

If you have attended past Winter Star Parties, and wish to submit material (an article or photo essay) about your experiences at the Winter Star Party. Please forward your material to our newsletter Editor Barb Yager (BarbYager@aol.com). You may also submit your material to the Society Webmaster Art Mullis (armullis@tampabay.rr.com).

We ask that your articles be short and concise, and that any photos submitted be of high resolution. The Editor reserves the right to edit your material for length and content. No guarantee can be given that all submitted material will be used in this Special Edition of the “Coal Sack”. All material submitted will remain the property of SCAS and will not be returned unless the material is “one of a kind” and so stated at its submission.

Some suggested topics may include astrophotography at the WSP, equipment used at the WSP, or human interest stories related to the WSP. Also, special emphasis will be given to anyone who has attended all 25 Winter Star Parties and can submit material about their experiences at the Winter Star Party since its founding year in 1984!

The deadline for all submissions to this Special Edition of the “Coal Sack” is Nov. 30, 2008. The Editor may adjust this deadline as necessary.

(Watch this space for WSP News Alerts about the upcoming 2009 WSP)