TriState Astronomers

08/12/2026

Big News! The Tri-State Astronomers is teaming up with DWARFLAB! 🌌

We are thrilled to announce an exciting new partnership between the Tri-State Astronomers (TSA) and DWARFLAB! We’re big fans of making astronomy accessible, and DWARF smart telescopes are a fantastic way to bring the night sky into focus for everyone.

To kick things off, check out our recent unboxing and first-look video of the new DWARF mini! It’s the perfect, portable setup for anyone looking to jump into smart astrophotography.

👉 Watch the unboxing here: https://youtu.be/u5IQ-L3jx3g?si=OolJ5FCXyJfW-PT4

As a special favor to our Facebook followers, use Promo Code: TSA at checkout to receive a discount on your purchase: https://checkout.dwarflab.com/collections/smart-telescope

Stay tuned for more updates, demos, and deep-sky adventures with our new DWARF setup. Clear skies!

In this video, we take a first look at the DWARF mini smart telesco...

07/25/2026

Looking for a dazzling night under the stars? Join the Tri-State Astronomers and Maryland Park Service Rangers at Fort Frederick State Park on Saturday, August 15th from 8:30 to 10 PM for a free public Star and Perseids Party!

Peer through telescopes to see craters on the moon, explore galaxies and nebulae, and don’t miss the spectacular Perseid Meteor Shower. Bring a blanket or lounge chair to relax while meteors streak across the sky.

Volunteers will be on hand with demonstrations and answers to your astronomy questions.

Please note: this event is weather dependent and will be canceled if skies are cloudy. For updates, check the Tri-State Astronomers page or website https://www.tristateastronomers.org/home before heading out.

That’s Saturday, August 15th, 8:30 to 10 PM at Fort Frederick State Park. Admission is free — come discover the universe with us!

04/28/2026

This is not a click-bait attempt claiming you can see 6 planets in alignment across the sky. Good luck with that. Those articles fail to mention that you need a telescope to see Neptune, very good eyesight and dark skies to see Uranus which is usually mistaken for a faint star. Or that Mercury is close to the Sun and sets 20 minutes after you might see it using binoculars if inexperienced.
This is an opportunity to track our 2 brightest, most beautiful, easy to find planets to find and track them as they move to join up in 7 weeks - Jupiter and Venus.

Jupiter is overhead shortly after sunset (30-45 minutes), faint at first but very bright at full darkness near the twin stars, Castor and Pollux. Due west and lower in the sky is Venus, also brighter than any star.

Use the span of your hand to judge the gap between them tonight or a clear night soon. We passed Jupiter in our orbit 4 months ago so it is falling away from us, gradually getting lower in our sky. Meanwhile Venus is heading towards us, getting higher in the sky each night. The gap between them will grow smaller for the next 7 weeks until they look like this picture - a conjunction.

This picture from March 2023 shows what they will look like on June 9.

So start tracking!

03/27/2026

Join or renew your membership in the TSA!
https://www.tristateastronomers.org/join-renew-donate

03/14/2026

Free and open to the public!

03/05/2026

There are still openings for our telescope clinic this Saturday March 7 from 10am until 2pm in Waynesboro Pa. Sign up now for your 1-on-1 support to fix and understand how to use your telescope. Contact Buttonwood Nature Center or send an email to [email protected] to reserve your spot.

03/03/2026

The Poor House Farm Park Star Party for Saturday March 7 is CANCELED due to predicted cloud cover.

02/27/2026

The TSA Stargazers Hoedown:
https://gemini.google.com/share/26f08fe76db1

Send a message to learn more

02/27/2026

TriState Astronomers Stagazers Hoedown

02/20/2026

Has that telescope been sitting in the closet or attic because you've never been able to see anything through it? Then this telescope clinic is for you. Turn that dust-catcher into amazing views of craters on the moon and planets in the sky!
Free 1-on-1 help to get it working and show you how to use it
REGISTER NOW AT [email protected]

Registration is still open for your FREE one-on-one help with setting up and understanding your own telescope. Email [email protected] to schedule your reservation!