Oregon Star Party
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The Oregon Star Party (OSP), founded in 1987, is one of the top[citation needed] annual events in the United States for observational astronomy. The OSP takes place in the Ochoco National Forest, near the geographical center of the state of Oregon. It is distant enough from any population centers that the area has some of the darkest skies in North America.[citation needed] The area's altitude also contributes to tremendously steady seeing[citation needed], making for a combination that enables amateur astronomers to experience nearly ideal observational conditions.
Usually held in August, the OSP attracts as many as 700-800 attendees each year, and features a wide range of unexpected amenities for an event that takes place on an unimproved high prairie. A latte stand and satellite Internet access reveal the event's Pacific Northwest foundations, and showers and a chuckwagon are available.
OSP attracts some of the best visual observers, photographic astronomy amateurs and telescope builders from the region, and from around the world.[citation needed] There is full program of daytime events.
