|
Preparations |
- Bring warm clothes. The air cools quickly after
dark, even after a warm day. Astronomy is sedentary and
there's no movement to generate warmth. Bring layers for weather 15 degrees cooler than the forecast.
- If you plan an extended stay you may decide
to bring a light snack and a beverage. However, please observe
the rule below about not eating or carrying drinks near
telescopes.
- Bring your own equipment if you wish. Make a
checklist of items such as star charts, batteries, tools, etc. If you
need help setting up, ask; most veterans will be glad to help
once their setup is complete.
- Leave flashlights at home or place a red filter
over the lens (see advice on lights below). Many astronomical objects
are very faint, and it takes 30 minutes for eyes to adapt to night
vision.
|
 |
|
Safety Warnings |
- Watch your step in the dark, especially
around tripods, chairs, tables and other equipment.
Watch for wires on the ground and other obstacles. If your scope requires power make the wires as safe
as possible.
- Green lasers are popular because they
project a collimated beam into the sky, allowing astronomers
to point out stars and constellations to onlookers. However,
never point a laser at anyone or anything, especially not
an airplane. In fact, the latter is illegal; lasers can
momentarily blind or disorient the pilot.
- NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN THROUGH A TELESCOPE. The result will be instant damage and irreversible
blindness. Use only specially designed solar filters under the
watchful eye of an expert astronomer.
|
|
|
|
Arriving and
Departing |
- Arrive before dark so your headlights won't interfere with
night vision -- or use parking lights if safe to do so. Park so that
you won't have to use backup lights as you leave. If you plan to
leave early park near the exit.
- Drive
slowly, for safety and to avoid kicking up dust.
-
Plan to arrive before sunset if you have
equipment to set up.
- If you arrive
without a telescope leave parking space near the telescopes for
those with equipment.
- Turn off your
car's interior lights. Most cars have a dial or switch (often
connected to the panel light dimmer) that shuts off interior lights
even with open doors. Pulling up a notch or two on the parking brake of
some cars with
automatic headlights turns off interior lights.
-
Use parking lights to exit telescope
field if safe to do so; turn on headlights as soon as you think
necessary for safety. Driving without any lights is unsafe!
- If there is a gate at the telescope
location, it is the responsibility of the last person to leave
to close it!
|
|
|
|
Red Lights Only |
- Darkness is essential for viewing faint
objects. Don't use white light sources such as flashlights or car headlights. Dark adaptation takes 30 minutes and white
light reverses the eye's dark adaptation very quickly.
-
Astronomers use
red flashlights to read charts and books because they do not reverse
night vision. If you do not have a red flashlight cover
a regular flashlight with red plastic secured with a rubber band.
- If you MUST use a white light
ask first; someone may be in the midst of a long exposure photography
session.
- Flash photography is strictly a no-no.
Photos can be taken during equipment setup,
prior to full darkness.
- Stray light from laptop computers can
be dimmed with a red plastic sheet.
|
|
|
|
Asking Questions |
- If you have questions, ask;
most astronomers are more than willing to share with you whatever
they know.
- Setting up complex equipment requires dedicated concentration.
Allow those thus engaged to complete their tasks without distraction.
The sooner the gear is aligned, the sooner the show
can begin!
- Respect astronomers who want to work on
their own or who are engaged in activity requiring
complete concentration. While public sessions are usually very
social, a few have personal observing programs.
|
|
|
|
Observing Through
Telescopes |
- Put down anything you are holding before
looking into a telescope. Some scopes have open frames with exposed
primary mirrors. One slip can damage an expensive mirror!
- Queue up and wait for a turn
to look through a particular telescope. After your
view, move to another scope. After making the rounds, go back to the first scope
as something new may be in view.
- Ask where the focuser
is located so you can adjust it for your eyes. Don't grasp the
eyepiece to steady yourself. It may cause loss of
calibration or even damage the mount's mechanical components.
- Owners of large scopes provide
a stepladder for viewing comfort.
Take care to keep your balance while on the ladder. Assist small
children so that they do not lose their balance or grab
the scope to steady themselves.
|
|
|
|
Noise, Music
and Conduct |
- Avoid loud and boisterous behaviour. The
same restraint applies to shouting, running, racing car engines
and other forms of noisemaking. Star-gazing is a quiet, tranquil
activity.
- Leave your music at home or wear a headset.
The music you love may be extremely irritating to others.
- Generators are not allowed at some star
parties. RAC does allow them if they are quiet.
|
|
|
|
Children and
Pets |
- Children are welcome -- an early observing
experience can kindle a lifetime love of astronomy. But make
sure your child understands the rules about safety, not touching
the equipment and noisy or disruptive behavior.
- Supervise small children at
all times. Since the telescope field is dark small children are
more likely to trip and hurt themselves, become lost, or bump
into and damage expensive equipment.
- Toddlers are too young to understand how
to look into the telescope. When lifted, their natural tendency
is to grab the
telescope. Let them have their turn when they are old enough
to look for themselves without help.
- Make sure pets are under control at all
times. Frisky behavior is cute, but it can be disastrous around
expensive equipment.
|
|
|
|
Food, Drink and
Spray Cans |
- Do not use aerosol sprays on the observing
field, including insect repellent, hair spary, etc. These sprays
can permanently damage telescope optics. Lotions or roll-ons
are fine.
- Don't carry food and drink around the
scopes. Spills are a serious problem for telescopes, accessories
and computer controllers.
- Pick up your trash. Many star parties
are held on public property, and your litter may cause officials
to disinvite the astronomers next time.
- Alcohol is usually prohibited at public
locations. It adversely affects night
vision, body temperature and ability to drive home in the dark.
And all too often it leads imbibers to ignore the "loud
and boisterous behavior" rule.
- Refrain from smoking near telescopes.
Smoke particles adhere to and damage telescope optics. If you
must smoke, please move well away from the telescope area.
|
|
|
 Having
said all that, star parties are great fun and the views can be
nothing short of thrilling on a good night. Come on out and enjoy!
P.S. The above rules are mostly common sense and
courtesy. In fact, they are a synthesis of writeups found on many astronomy
web sites. So if some of the words look familiar that may be because they
are! |
Star
parties are a lot of fun, both for the seasoned observer and
the newcomer. Most star party veterans love to show off their
gear, talk about astronomy and answer questions. However,
a few things about observing the night sky may not occur to first-time
star party goers.
First,
certain safety rules are important; it is easy to become disoriented
in the dark and wander into an accident. Second, telescopes are
expensive, and a certain amount of care is required around them.
Third, night time observing and photography require almost total
darkness. Bright lights reverse night vision and are definitely
a no-no. Astronomers use red flashlights, which do not compromise
night vision.
stifle enthusiasm but rather to ensure that everyone has a safe
and pleasant experience while enabling others
to enjoy the same. With that in mind, here are the rules of the
road -- most of which are just common sense and courtesy!