ArtCentrics

Star Party Details

• Download 2026 Event Information Flyer (PDF)
• EVAC membership renewal can be performed on this page.
• 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.

Events

• 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 12^th
    • 2:00pm – 3:00pm
      • Steve Desch: Comets and the pictures we make of them
    • 3:00pm – 4:00pm Social
      • Attendees introduce themselves
  • Sunday, September 13^th
    • 2:00pm – 3:00pm
      • Wanye Thomas: Asteroid Occultations
    • 3:00pm – 4:00pm
      • Attendees Presentations: Tricks, Cool Gear, Techniques

Attendees

We have capacity for about 45 persons.  The persons below have already reserved spots.
Current 29 of 45 slots have been filled.

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)
• ZWO SeeStar S50, S30 Pro and S50 Pro potential Targets (Excel Spreadsheet)
• 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
  • Celestron Origin Application download page