2026 LLCC Member Observing Weekend - CANCELLED
2026-03-13 17:00 - 2026-03-15 12:00 (America/Chicago) | MN
MAS Star Party Member Weekend
CANCELLED DUE TO POOR WEATHER
Unlike other MAS star party sites, the nature of the relationship between the MAS and the LLCC requirements affects access by both members and the general public. Specifically:

Other than the Northern Nights Star Fest, Events held at LLCC are not open to the public. Only MAS members and their immediate family members are authorized to attend scheduled events.
Check the MAS Forum on the LLCC Discussion forum page for details on each observing weekend. Reply to the forum for the weekend desired and indicate if you are coming and whether you require lodging. A LLCC Committee member will notify the administration on room requirements.
A weekend may be cancelled if weather or field conditions are not suitable. You may be the only one attending or there may be others – it is up to the individual members to use the weather resources available and decide if it is worth making the trip. Check the MAS Forum to see if others are going or not going
The site is not available for mid-week observing by members.

Check the MAS forum – ‘Long Lake Conservation Discussions’ topic and state that you intend to go to LLCC for the designated weekend. The LLCC committee will notify LLCC management of member intentions and designate bunk rooms available for use (typically in the Marcum House).
LLCC star parties may be available for Friday and Saturday evenings, weather permitting.
Additional information on using the Long Lake Conservation Center, including map and directions, can be found on the LLCC page.

CGO Member Star Party 2026
2026-03-14 18:00 - 23:30, 2026-05-15 18:00 - 23:30, 2026-06-12 18:00 - 23:30, 2026-07-10 18:00 - 23:30, 2026-08-07 18:00 - 23:30, 2026-09-11 18:00 - 23:30, 2026-10-09 18:00 - 23:30, 2026-11-13 18:00 - 23:30 | Cherry Grove Observatory, 8485 520th Street, Kenyon, MN, 55946, United States
Member Star Party at Cherry Grove Observatory – Keyholder Training
Join us at CGO for a Star Party! Bring your telescope or use one on-site, including the Starmaster Dobsonian, LX-200, or other scopes!
Not a Keyholder at CGO? Keyholder training will be held during this star party.
Star parties are cancelled if cloudy, so watch here or on the CGO Forum.
Cherry Grove Star Parties are held on Friday nights with Saturday night backups if cloudy. Official dates are listed on the calendar and are usually the first or second weekend of the month. Others are non-official Instant Star Parties (ISP’s) listed by individual members on the forums or Slack.

2026 LLCC Member Observing Weekend
2026-03-20 17:00 - 2026-03-22 12:00, 2026-04-10 17:00 - 2026-04-12 12:00, 2026-05-08 17:00 - 2026-05-10 12:00, 2026-05-15 17:00 - 2026-05-17 12:00, 2026-06-12 17:00 - 2026-06-14 12:00, 2026-06-18 17:00 - 2026-06-21 12:00, 2026-07-10 17:00 - 2026-07-12 12:00, 2026-08-07 17:00 - 2026-08-09 12:00 and 4 more dates | MN
MAS Star Party Member Weekend
Unlike other MAS star party sites, the nature of the relationship between the MAS and the LLCC requirements affects access by both members and the general public. Specifically:

Other than the Northern Nights Star Fest, Events held at LLCC are not open to the public. Only MAS members and their immediate family members are authorized to attend scheduled events.
Check the MAS Forum on the LLCC Discussion forum page for details on each observing weekend. Reply to the forum for the weekend desired and indicate if you are coming and whether you require lodging. A LLCC Committee member will notify the administration on room requirements.
A weekend may be cancelled if weather or field conditions are not suitable. You may be the only one attending or there may be others – it is up to the individual members to use the weather resources available and decide if it is worth making the trip. Check the MAS Forum to see if others are going or not going
The site is not available for mid-week observing by members.

Check the MAS forum – ‘Long Lake Conservation Discussions’ topic and state that you intend to go to LLCC for the designated weekend. The LLCC committee will notify LLCC management of member intentions and designate bunk rooms available for use (typically in the Marcum House).
LLCC star parties may be available for Friday and Saturday evenings, weather permitting.
Additional information on using the Long Lake Conservation Center, including map and directions, can be found on the LLCC page.

Messier Marathon 2026 - OFF FRIDAY
2026-03-20 18:00 - 2026-03-21 07:00 | Cherry Grove Observatory, 8485 520th Street, Kenyon, MN, 55946, United States
MESSIER MARATHON
The MM is called OFF for Friday due to cloudy conditions. See the Forum or website for backup of Saturday.
A Messier Marathon is an attempt to find as many Messier objects as possible during one night. The Messier catalogue was compiled by French astronomer Charles Messier during the late 18th century and consists of 110 relatively bright deep sky objects (galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters).
The first MAS Messier Marathon was held on March 13, 1999 (Apr Gemini, pg 4), and has been held annually at the Cherry Grove Observatory. The marathon is scheduled for the new moon weekend nearest the spring equinox with Saturday being the primary night, and Friday being the backup night.
As with all Cherry Grove events, the marathon is held only if the skies are clear and will be CANCELLED IF CLOUDY. See the MAS home page or Forum for the latest information regarding the star party status.

2026 New Member Orientation Meeting
2026-04-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Robert Trail Library (Rosemount), 14395 S. Robert Trail, Rosemount, MN, 55068, United States
​Rebecca Messer will be holding an in-person MAS Member Orientation Meeting on Saturday mornings a few times per year.
Any new (or old) members, or those considering joining the MAS are invited to meet us from 10:00am to 12:00pm on Saturday, April 11, 2026
Robert Trail Library14395 S Robert TrailRosemount, MM 55068
In this approximately 1.5 hour meeting we will introduce the leadership of the MAS, discuss public and member star parties, provide a look at all our observing sites, discuss all the means of communications within the Society, and provide an overall description of all the benefits of membership in the MAS.
We look forward to seeing you!
Rebecca Messer
MAS Membership Coordinator

2026 LLCC Member Observing Weekend - CANCELLED - NO LODGING AVAILABLE
2026-04-17 17:00 - 2026-04-19 12:00 | MN

Virgo Venture 2026
2026-04-17 18:30 - 2026-04-18 05:00 | Cherry Grove Observatory, 8485 520th Street, Kenyon, MN, 55946, United States
Virgo Venture
The MAS ”Virgo Venture” is a star party dedicated to observing many of the brighter galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. The Venture is scheduled for the new moon weekend, usually one month after the Messier Marathon, when Virgo is in a prime viewing position. Friday is the primary night, with Saturday being the backup night.
As with all Cherry Grove events, the Virgo Venture is held only if the skies are clear and will be CANCELLED IF CLOUDY. See the MAS home page or Forum for the latest information regarding the star party status.
