AHSP 2026 Schedule (pdf)

Spruce Knob Mountain Center  -  West Virginia

Almost Heaven
Star Party

20
Years
Celebrating our 20th Anniversary under West Virginia's darkest skies
August 11-18, 2026
Meals
Observing
Presentations
On-Site Events
Off-Site Events
Tuesday
August 11, 2026
8:00a
Breakfast
12:00p
Lunch
5:00p
Chad Merrill - Weather Briefing
Presentation Yurt
5:30p
Dinner
Wednesday
August 12, 2026
8:00a
Breakfast
12:00p
Lunch
5:00p
Chad Merrill - Weather Briefing
Presentation Yurt
5:30p
Dinner
Thursday
August 13, 2026
8:00a
Breakfast
12:00p
Lunch
5:00p
Chad Merrill - Weather Briefing
Presentation Yurt
5:30p
Dinner
Friday
August 14, 2026
8:00a
Breakfast
12:00p
Lunch
3:00p
Solar Observing
Yurt Deck
4:30p
Chad Merrill
Weather for Astronomers - Presentation Yurt
5:00p
Chad Merrill - Weather Briefing
Presentation Yurt
5:30p
Dinner
6:30p
Skip Bird
Sky Lore - Presentation Yurt
8:00p
Night Sky Tour
Yellow Lot
Saturday
August 15, 2026
8:00a
Breakfast
choose one
9:00a
Bird Watching & Geology Hike
Leaves from Yurt Deck
9:00a
Canoeing
Spruce Knob Lake
10:30a
Green Bank Observatory Tour
Meet at Yurt Deck
12:00p
Lunch
1:00p
Caving
Meet at Yurt Deck
1:30p
Charlie Bracken
Presentation Yurt
3:00p
Back Ridge Observatory
Open House
5:30p
Dinner
6:30p
Emily Margolis
Smithsonian Institution - Presentation Yurt
8:00p
Night Sky Tour
Yellow Lot
Sunday
August 16, 2026
8:00a
Breakfast
choose one
9:00a
Bird Watching & Geology Hike
Leaves from Yurt Deck
9:00a
Cass Scenic Railroad
Self transportation
12:00p
Lunch
1:00p
Skip Bird
Physics is Phun: A Kids Event - Presentation Yurt
3:00p
Back Ridge Observatory
Open House
3:00p
Solar Observing
Yurt Deck
4:30p
AHSP Raffle
Yurt Deck
5:30p
Dinner
Monday
August 17, 2026
8:00a
Breakfast
12:00p
Lunch
1:00p
Skip Bird
Astronomical League Observing Programs - Presentation Yurt
5:30p
Dinner
Tuesday
August 18, 2026
8:00a
Breakfast
AHSP Ends - 10:00am
Safe travels - see you at the 21st!
Clear skies for our 20th year, Almost Heaven!
www.ahsp.org  -  Field lots, meal plans & activity registration open now
Schedule reflects the primary on-site program days. Times, speakers, and activities are subject to change - always check ahsp.org and posted signage on-site for the latest updates.