Dark Sky Parties are usually scheduled around a New Moon. Lunar Parties are now scheduled sometimes around a crescent to waxing gibbous Moon.
Members, prospective members and friends meet at the dark-sky site (if weather permits) early on these evenings, to set up their equipment as the twilight dims.
These star parties are open to young and old. Large telescopes, small scopes, binoculars and eyeballs are all used. These nights are wonderful for getting together with other amateurs, getting to look through a variety of scopes, and getting the chance to learn from seasoned observers.
For the last year, the BSAS has moved its dark-sky events to the loop parking lot found at about mile 435.5 of the Natchez Trace Parkway. This site is about two miles south of the intersection with Highway 96, on the east side of the Parkway. This site is about 23 miles closer to Nashville than our Water Valley Overlook site and is easily accessible. The seeing is generally good, with a moderate to strong light dome to the northeast.
In past years, the BSAS held its dark-sky events at the Water Valley Overlook, on the Natchez Trace Parkway near Columbia, Tennessee. The seeing is generally quite good during agreeable weather, with a moderate light dome to the east-southeast.