Where
- Gansvlei Booking Information available in 2025.
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
Click to enlarge
Observation site - In short
-
Storage room close to observing site during night/day.
Separate astro photography site available not to disturb serious observers.
Electricity available for telescope and electronic equipment (No kettles or heaters).
Observers must bring their own leads to get power from a central point in the veld.
Bring covers if you want to leave your equipment in the veld during the day.
- Have respect for your fellow observers. Use your headlight sparingly. You are blinding someone next to you. No bright white/red lights when observing starts.
Photo Galleries
1st Free State Star Party 2014
2nd Free State Star Party 2015
3rd Free State Star Party 2016
4th Free State Star Party 2017
5th Free State Star Party 2018
7th Free State Star Party 2021
10th Free State Star Party 2024
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
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.
Meals
Bring your own food according to your dietary preferences.
Hot beverages will be available during the night at a Coffee point close to the observing point.
Central braai area available. We braai early to be ready for the observing dring the night..
Brandfort - 13 km
Bloemfontein 52 km
Provisional Programme
26 June 2025 - Thursday Afternoon: Arriving and setting up at observing point; Observing27 June 2025 - Friday Evening - Early Morning: Observing
28 June 2025 - Saturday: Informal presentation
28 June 2025 - Saturday – Evening - Early Morning: Observing
29 June 2025 - 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)
