Dragon*Con Star Party 2013

One of my favorite events all year is Dragon*Con, a very large science fiction and fantasy convention in Atlanta, held over the Labor Day weekend. I get to talk, schmooz, hang with friends, and basically let my dork flag fly high.

And one of my favorite parts of D*C is the annual Atlanta Star Party, held to raise money for various worthy causes. This year it's on Thursday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m., and will be to raise funds for CosmoQuest, a great group that encourages people to learn about space and astronomy.* Iâm on the advisory team for CosmoQuest, and Iâm on it because I think what theyâre doing is important.

Iâll be speaking at the Star Party, along with Derek Demeter and Drs. Pamela Gay and Nicole Gugliucci. Afterward there will be telescopes, so we can look at Saturn and a few other celestial treats.

We also do this every year in honor and memory of our dear friend Jeff Medkeff. He was an astronomer and discoverer of many asteroidsâhe named one after me, years agoâand he was a tireless educator and promoter of public outreach for astronomy. He died of liver cancer in 2008, and it was shortly thereafter that Maria Walters, aka MasalaSkeptic, put together the first Star Party in Jeffâs name. What Maria has done here is nothing short of amazing, and this will be the fifth Star Party sheâs organized.

Itâs always a lot of fun, and if youâre in Atlanta or going to Dragon*Con, you should come!

Correction, July 8, 2013: This post originally misstated the day of the week of the Atlanta Star Party.