31st Annual Nebraska Star Party
2026
Mark your calendars. NSP will be held July 12-17th 2026
Online registration is now available
Register online or request to be added to our mailing list.
Are you new to astronomy?
Don’t have a telescope? If you’ve never attended a star party before, or if you’ve been to other star parties but need more information about what to expect at NSP, check out our Frequently Asked Questions page.
Programs
On Wednesday afternoon there will be programs at the Valentine High School.
Discover the Wonders of the Night Sky
Join us at the Nebraska Star Party for an unforgettable week of stargazing, family fun, and natural beauty at Merritt Reservoir.
Stunning Dark Skies
Experience the breathtaking beauty of the night sky at Merritt Reservoir in the Nebraska Sand hills. Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area (SRA) is certified as an International Dark Sky Park.
Family Activities
Enjoy a variety of recreational activities including swimming, tubing and boating. We also have a beginner field school and astronomy activities for kids.
About the Nebraska Star Party
Plan now to sail off on your own voyage of discovery this summer with us! The astronomical views from Merritt Reservoir’s Snake Campground are fabulous, and there are plenty of recreational opportunities to keep the entire family entertained all week long at the annual Nebraska Star Party.
For newcomers, NSP is the perfect place to become acquainted with the wonders of the heavens which can’t be seen from cities. Our unique Beginner’s Field School will show you how fun it is to explore the sky here, as well as in your own back yard when you return home, with or without a telescope.
Apart from the starry central attraction, the remote sandhills of north-central Nebraska offer a vacation full of western and natural history as well. Short day trips will take you to historical sites important to the settlement of the west. The spring-fed water and sugar sand beaches of Merritt Reservoir offer swimming, boating, and fishing. Valentine national Wildlife Refuge provides a window into the ecology of the prairie, while the nearby Niobrara River affords a cooling tube float or canoe trip through the surrounding cattle and buffalo ranching country.
NSP is an annual event, scheduled to coincide with the new Moon in late July or early August.
A Partial List of Sponsors (see Sponsors page for more)
Highlights
Dark Sky Observing
Skies so dark, the Milky Way actually casts a shadow!
Beginner’s Field School
Our field school is perfect for newcomers, offering sessions on how to navigate the night sky with binoculars and telescopes.
Recreational Activities
From swimming and boating to historical tours, there’s something for everyone at Merritt Reservoir.
Wildlife and Nature
Discover the rich ecology of the prairie at Valentine National Wildlife Refuge and enjoy tubing or canoeing on the Niobrara Rive