Introduction and Directions to the Public Star Party
in the Model Airplane Field
at Valley Forge Nation Historical Park

Star Party Introduction

At a star party, one can look through many different types and sizes of telescopes, and see astronomical wonders most people have never seen. We often look at far away galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae, as well as things closer to home such as the moon and planets.

The telescopes and equipment belong to DVAA members, who do this on their own time as a public service. This equipment is in most cases very expensive! Please use caution when moving around in the dark, and keep children supervised and close at hand.

White light is the bane of dark-adapted vision, so please leave the regular flashlights at home. Red light (as used in aircraft cockpits) is the preferred form of illumination, and you'll find many members have red LED flashlights just for this purpose.

A regular flashlight having its lens covered with at least two layers of red cellophane will generally provide acceptable red illumination that preserves night vision.

Also, you'll find after about ten to fifteen minutes, your eyes get dark-adapted, and the sky glow from the surrounding shopping areas provides more than enough light to see your way around.

When you arrive, park at the edge of the gravel/dirt road. Parking on the grass is prohibited. You will see telescopes set up out on the field.

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Next, come out to look through our scopes. Ask plenty of questions. Before touching any astronomical equipment, ask the owner where to look into if you're not sure, and how to properly focus the instrument to get the best possible view.

When you leave, please avoid shining headlights on the telescope field, which will blind everyone who's been out in the dark for a while!

Directions

1. Go to the Route 23 exit off of Route 422.
2. Take the Valley Forge National Park Main Entrance on Rt. 23 Just off Rt. 422
3. Follow Encampment Tour signs, speed limit 25 mph
4. One mile in, you will pass Memorial Arch
5. Stay straight at stop sign just after Memorial Arch
6. Continue to follow Encampment Tour signs
7. You will pass General Anthony Wayne Statue
8. Stay straight on main road when you see stop sign at Rt. 252. (During construction, Rt. 252 will say "Road Closed" but it is open to local traffic to reach the Model Airplane Field entrance road.)
9. 2/10 mile after stop sign you will see dirt/stone road on your right
10. Make right onto dirt/stone road.
11. Look for telescopes set up on grass. Park on dirt/stone road only.