On the farm Gansvlei close to Brandfort (13km)
GPS Coordinates: 28°47'48.63"S 26°28'25.66"E
More information: assabfn@gmail.com
Updated Layout of Star Party venue
(17/4/2024)
Photo Galleries
1st Free State Star Party 2014
2nd Free State Star Party 2021
3rd Free State Star Party 2016
4th Free State Star Party 2017
5th Free State Star Party 2018
7th Free State Star Party 2021
Deep-sky Marathon
ASSA Bloemfontein did the first Deep-sky Marathon on Gansvlei in 2014 . (ASSA Top-100 Observing List). It is based on the very popular Messier Marathon. It was customized for deep sky objects visible in Southern-Africa.
Visit the ASSA Marathon web page Sections > Deep-sky Section > Nebulae > Clusters>
Deep-Sky Marathons
Download ASSA Deepsky 100 Observing List Evening of 2024 Jun 6 at Gansvlei - Brandfort
Download: Southern Sky Map (Scroll down)
The FS Star Party is not about marathons alone. It is also an event where astro friends will do some serious observing, astro photography and relax with hot coffee and serious braaiing.
Weather
2017 -7°C (00:00) and with a light wind from the East pestering us. It was 2.8 °C at 01:00 (Friday night)
2016 2°C (23:00 Friday); 10°C (00:00 Saturday; with wind and clouds moved over late in the evening. Clear early morning, with wind)
2015 dew caused havoc. Bring your dew heaters. Come prepared!
2014 Extreme – We measured -7°C during the first night. Prepare with warm clothing and bedding.
Brandfort - 13 km
Bloemfontein 52 km
Provisional Programme
6 June 2024 - Thursday Afternoon: Arriving and setting up at observing point; Observing7 June 2024 - Friday Evening - Early Morning: Observing
8 June 2024 -Saturday: Informal presentation by Johan Smit (ASSA Pretoria) Subject: Stellar Evolution.
8 June 2024 -Saturday – Evening - Early Morning: Observing
9 June 2024 -Sunday– Breakfast and we all leave!
June is Deepsky Marathon Month at the Free State Star Party - Helpful links
- Deep-Sky Marathons (ASSA Website)
- Article in Nightfall "Birth of a Deep-Sky Marathon"
- Deep-Sky Observer's Companion Database – DOCdb
- ASSA Top-100 Deep-Sky Observing List
- Jet stream predictions for Southern Africa (Updated)