This years (2026) star party will be held on the evenings of September 11, 12 & 13 (Friday – Sunday). There are approximately 45 slots available for the event, Email me if you would like to participate.
View the full photo album from the last star party here.
Star Party Details

- Download Event Information Flyer (PDF)
- Payment: Payment for the event can be made online Here (Please make sure you have been approved for the event before paying).
- All Attendees MUST complete the Online Waiver to attend the event. Persons who had previously attended and filled out the waiver do not need to refill the waiver.
- Location: Hyman Rim Ranch (approximately 1:10 drive N.E. of Payson)
- Event Arrival and Departure
- Friday, September 11, Anytime after 12 Noon
- Monday, September 14, Anytime before 12 Noon
- Environmental Conditions
- Sky Darkness: SQM = 21.96 | Bortle = Class 2 |
- Elevation: 7,400′
- Average Night time & Day time Temps (Forest Lakes): 51 – 62 degrees F
- Climate Conditions (Payson)
- Event Capacity
- 45 observers for a given time
- Facilities
- 2 Bathrooms with showers and hot water
- Large Gas Grill
- Limited Electricity
- Sink with hot water
- Limited WiFi
- Out of Cell Phone Range, but can use WiFi for cell phones
- Pavilion with seating
- Restrictions
- No Open Flames
- No camping at the ranch before or after the star party event
- No Firearms
- Dogs must be on leashes AT ALL TIMES
- Eating Arrangements
- Breakfast and Dinner will be provided
- Lunch is NOT provided
- Drinks at meal time is provided, but you may want to consider bringing additional water for between meals, water on site (except for meals) is not potable.
- Event Payments can be made on the EVAC website here.
- EVAC membership renewal can be performed on this page.
Tenative Events – Still under development
We are currently in the process planning the events for the star party. Items below are tentative, so be aware they may change.
- Eats
- All eats and drinks except what is listed below will be the responsibility of each person attending.
- Drinks – Large cooler with lightly flavored water will be provided throughout the event.
- Breakfast Every Morning will be provided by EVAC. (Pancakes, Eggs, Bacon, ect.)
- Dinner Plan
- 09/11 Friday – Taco Night
- 09/12 Saturday – Burgers/Veggie Burgers Night
- 09/13 Sunday – Pasta Night
- Presentations, lectures and Social Schedule
- Saturday, September 12th
- 2:00pm – 3:00pm TBD
- 3:00pm – 4:00pm Social – Attendees introduce themselves
- Sunday, September 13th
- 2:00pm – 3:00pm TBD
- Saturday, September 12th
Resources
- Constellation Guides (For Observing)
- Each highlighted constellation has a PDF document that identifies potential objects for observing
- Imaging Targets (Celestron Origin & ZWO SeeStar S50)
- 14 Dark Nebula, 6 Globular Clusters, 53 Open Clusters, 3 Nebula, 2 Planetary Nebula, 6 Galaxies
- Download Formats: PDF(.pdf), Excel Spreadsheet(.xlsx), Sky Safari (.skylist), AstroPlanner (.apd)
- Smart Telescope Applications and Processing
- ZWO SeeStar Application download page
- PixInsite: NGC7000 with a Seestar S50
- Video 1: Creating a Master
- Video 2: Processing the Master
- The Lazy Geek: Amazing Images with Seestar Smart Telescope
- PixInsite: NGC7000 with a Seestar S50
- Celestron Origin Application download page
- ZWO SeeStar Application download page
Event Astro Photography
Photos from the 2024 star party