The Triad Starfest, *Tri*Star* for short, is a gathering of astronomers of all types, from novice to professional, for a full day of presentations, displays, and observing. The event allows astronomy enthusiasts to share ideas, learn about a range of astronomical topics, get together with old friends, and make new ones. The event will draw astronomers from North Carolina and surrounding states.

We are planning for the upcoming edition of *Tri*Star* to take place on Saturday, 2 March 2013 in the Percy H. Sears Applied Technologies Center on the campus of Guilford Technical Community College in Jamestown, NC. In addition to a series of speakers scheduled throughout the day, there will be a wide range of astronomical displays, assorted astronomy-related vendors, prize drawings, "how-to" help for astronomy beginners, an astrophotography exhibition, and daytime and nighttime observing sessions (weather permitting).

In addition to Saturday's agenda, *Tri*Star* usually features a special Friday evening presentation held in the Auditorium of the Sears Building (the same location as Saturday's activities), at 7:00 p.m., with Cline Observatory open for observing after the talk, weather permitting.

Best of all, there is no registration fee - this event is free and open to anyone with an interest in astronomy!

Note: In case inclement weather causes the Jamestown Campus of GTCC to be closed on the date of *Tri*Star*, please monitor campus status before coming to GTCC. Information is available at the GTCC web page or by dialing the GTCC switchboard at 336-334-4822.

Pre-*Tri*Star*Lecture - Friday, 2 March, 7:00 p.m. Auditorium, Applied Technologies Building, GTCC
Dr. Terry Oswalt, Florida Institute of Technology
"It's Later than You Think:  How Astronomers Measure the Age of the Universe"

*Tri*Star* Saturday
9:30 a.m., Tom English, GTCC/Cline Observatory, Oppositions of Mars"
11:00 a.m., Dr. Terry Oswalt, Florida Institute of Technology, "Chicken Little Was Right, the Sky IS Falling!"
2:00 p.m.,  A series of short presentations and workshops
3:30 p.m., Dr. Brad N. Barlow, Penn State University, "Starquakes!  Probing Stellar Evolution using Asteroseismology"

FULL 2012 SCHEDULE

PAST EDITIONS

DIRECTIONS