The Tecopa Hot Springs Resort is again hosting a "star party."

The gathering is the focus of would-be astronomers, educators and those who want to get a glimpse of the universe from a deeper perspective.

The next event is scheduled for dusk Saturday, Jan. 12 at the viewing platform behind Pastels Bistro in Tecopa.

This time, the professionals whose idea it was to star gaze in Tecopa in the first place, will be there for the event. As an added bonus, they plan to set up a live video feed for their Internet site, astrochannels.com.

Astrochannels is a group of experimental developers and instigators who test the waters for various technologies and implement them according to demand, said Jason Davis, one of the founding members.

In Tecopa, they will set up some very powerful equipment including a Webster 28-inch or a Celestron 14-inch telescope, a 60-inch screen for projecting images to the guests attending the actual party and a video feed to the Astrochannels Web site so interested parties form all over the world can simultaneously do a little star gazing in Tecopa.

At this time, the Webster is in Utah and Davis isn't sure it will be on site for the party on Jan 12.

The parent company of Astrochannels is involved in research and development of products and technologies and has been marketing these proven products and services on the Web for the last eight years.

Davis said, "It's an amazingly cool hobby that will someday become a commercial concern. Provided the demand is what we anticipate, Astrochannels.com will inevitably take root as a duly filed legal entity."

The individuals involved with Astrochannels are Jason Davis and his brother Josh, Erik Johnston and Mike Purvis. There are various others who "drift into our midst and engage in one way or another."

One such is Amy Noel, the owner of the Tecopa Hot Springs Resort. She has hosted a number of the star parties over the last two years. Noel started the event upon the arrival of astronomers from Astrochannels who were looking for a warmer winter climate from which to broadcast. Amy has learned enough to be a competent narrator of the events and to help in equipment setup.

Another "drifter," Dominic will have the telescope, camera and projector ready a couple of days in advance for "private showings."

"It makes for a fun weekend," said Davis. "The days should be around 60 degrees and the nights will drop down to about 40 by the end of the show."

Party participants come from all over the country and individuals on Davis' email invitation list may have gotten a transmission that reads: "The location of the party is Zip code 92389, coordinates 35 51 07.00 N 116 13 30.23 W, Elevation 1400 ft. Tecopa, Calif., is 90 easy miles from Vegas if you fly in and rent a car."

Overnight accommodations are available too. Dry camping and self-contained RVs are welcome in the campground and Noel has renovated the old motel and two of the natural hot spas for overnight guests.

Bringing a lawn chair and blankets is suggested as seating is informal and the nighttime temperatures may be a little cool. Coolers and alcoholic beverages are permitted.

Davis said, "Wine and spirits are more than welcome, and anyone with creative hot toddy recipes are revered as saints."

Viewing the broadcast on the Web site is easy. Just go to astrochannels.com and locate the registration tab, fill out the form and receive instructions via email on how to log on for the party.

Davis said, "Until now, the residents of the deep dark sky have been the sole province of dedicated hobbyists, professionals and government people. This way you can view the stunning and mysterious beauty from your computer or television. It's so clear, what you see will rival those photos most likely seen somewhere before on calendars and in magazines ... anything to do with the Hubble Space Telescope."

Tecopa Hot Springs Resort is located at 860 Tecopa Hot Springs Road and may be reached either from Shoshone or by the Tecopa turn-off located 15 miles south of Pahrump on Highway 160.

Call 760-852-4420 for more information and directions.