Last Update:  8-20-2001

NEVER BEEN TO A STAR PARTY?

First Time Star Party Visitors, Please Read This Information.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!

If you are thinking of attending an astronomical star party and have never been to one, there are a number of extremely important items of CAUTION that you need to be aware of for your safety and enjoyment and the safety and enjoyment of astronomers and other visitors.  Since this is astronomy work, during which astronomers attempt to see and sometimes photograph very faint objects in the night sky, star parties are held in complete, absolute darkness (unless the Moon is visible that night).  Astronomers get used to the darkness (night vision) and can move about the telescope viewing area with no problem.  Also, astronomers have some very delicate and extremely expensive ($1,000 to $10,000 and higher) telescopic equipment which must not be damaged.  Telescopes are their babies which they treat with utmost care.  Many astronomers have a strong passion for their hobby, taking their work very seriously.  With that as a background, please be aware of the following .....

CAUTION 1:  FLASHLIGHTS
Astronomers only use RED-light flashlights.  WHITE-LIGHTS are strongly frowned upon and are DEFINITELY A NO-NO.  At home before you leave for a star party, get a regular flashlight and cover the lens with red cellophane (tape it on or attach it with a rubber band) or permanently paint the lens with red finger nail polish.  After you have been in the dark viewing area awhile, your eyes will adjust to the darkness and you should be able to see pretty well.  On your way back to the car, after you have left the immediate telescope viewing area, you may use a normal white-light flashlight provided that you keep it pointed at the ground and away from the telescopes.  Also, NO laser pointers ... they are dangerous to a person's eyesight.

CAUTION 2:  CAR HEADLIGHTS
Absolutely NO car headlights around the telescope viewing area.  Plan to arrive WELL BEFORE DARK to find a parking place AWAY FROM THE VIEWING AREA, WITH YOUR CAR HEADLIGHTS POINTING AWAY FROM THE VIEWING AREA, and walk to the telescopes.  This way when you leave, your car's operation and headlights will not disturb the astronomers and other visitors.  If you can, when near the viewing area, drive with only your parking lights on if you must.  Beware of one-way roads that take you past the viewing area ... not the place to be when leaving since you will probably need your headlights.

CAUTION 3:  TRIPPING HAZARDS
There is very expensive telescope, camera and computer equipment in use, along with reference tables, chairs, storage cases, power cables, Astro-Turf carpeting under telescopes, etc.  The field can be filled with a lot of equipment.  In many cases there can also be many ground squirrel holes and other tripping hazards around the viewing area.  So, please be very careful when moving about the area.

CAUTION 4:  GROUND VIBRATION
Some astronomers use highly sensitive astrophotography equipment having computers and special electronic CCD cameras.  This equipment does not like any ground vibration which can destroy photography work, so PLEASE WALK VERY SOFTLY near telescopes.  Putting it mildly, you may be "coached" from time to time by astrophotographers to walk more carefully near their telescope area.

CAUTION 5:  LOOKING THROUGH A TELESCOPE
Telescopes at a star party are usually made available for visitors to look through.  But, please ASK PERMISSION before doing so as well as asking for assistance in locating the eyepiece.  Don't use a telescope that is unattended by its astronomer.  Some of the large diameter telescopes (the 'cannons') can be quite tall when looking at an object directly overhead, as much as 7 feet tall or more, requiring you to use a ladder to look through the eyepiece.  Be very careful on the ladder.  Also, VERY IMPORTANT, don't grab the telescope or its eyepiece.  Always ask the astronomer how to use the telescope and to assist you with focusing and adjusting the scope to see the object.  Don't touch the lens of the eyepiece.  Sometimes an astronomer will tell you to use "averted vision" to see an object which means don't look straight at the object but move your eye slightly to one side or the other.  Doing this will allow your eye to see the very faint object much better.

CAUTION 6:  CHILDREN
For obvious reasons, including expensive equipment and the total darkness, this is NOT A PLAY AREA.  Children must be closely supervised by adults.  For many younger children, looking through telescopes at tiny points of light is difficult and gets very old very fast and they don't care for astronomical discussions.  So, please think long and hard on bringing children of younger ages.  This is certainly no place for infants as the telescope viewing area is very quiet with the hushed buzz of astronomers and visitors chatting about equipment and the stars.  Children who are very interested in science and space are gladly welcome to join you as long as they are well behaved, quiet and watched over.

CAUTION 7:  SAFETY
Everyone is on their own to protect themselves and not get injured or damage equipment.  Astronomers at star parties are welcoming you into their rarely seen world of darkness and telescopes.  They enjoy sharing their love of astronomy with visitors young and not so young.  But they can't be responsible for the actions of others, so YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY AND NOT DOING ANYTHING THAT MIGHT INJURE OTHERS.

CAUTION 8:  RESTROOMS
This can be a make-it or break-it subject for many people.  In many cases restroom facilities may not be available at a star party.  Astronomical clubs do not provide such amenities.  But at star parties at parks or at schools, there usually are facilities somewhere to be found.  They may be porta-potties.  They may also be a short drive elsewhere in the park.  Being a nighttime event, many times such restroom facilities may be closed unless there are campsites.  So, check out the situation first thing when you arrive at the star party ... locate them before it gets dark.  And please, it is very wise for children to be accompanied and for women not to be alone when moving about a park away from the telescope viewing area.

CAUTION 9:  DOGS
This should be a no-brainer.  Unless a dog is extremely well behaved, quiet, under control and properly supervised, having dogs around a star party is highly discouraged.  Barkers are not allowed.  It can be extremely unpleasant and very unprofessional for star party attendees to be stepping in nighttime surprises.  This evening event is for humans, not pets.  Enough said.

CAUTION 10:  ALCOHOL
Because star parties are definitely public and family activities, alcohol is not permitted in the area.  Period.

CAUTION 11:  LITTERING
Please, do not litter.  Take all of your garbage (bottles, cans, bags, wrappers, etc.) with you for disposal in a proper garbage can.  We leave only footprints and nothing else at star party areas.  We highly respect nature and our environment.  We also respect the privilege of using the area for our telescope viewing work and don't want to lose that essential privilege.  

CAUTION 12:  HAVE FUN
Well, not really a caution, but once you understand the cautions above and the nighttime world of astronomers, don't worry about attending a star party.  It can be a wonderfully mind-expanding experience.  Feel free to walk quietly, softly, slowly and carefully around the telescope viewing area asking the astronomers what they are looking at and permission to look through their telescope.  Being courteous, responsible and considerate is the name of the game.  Ask all the questions you want and hopefully the astronomers will be able to help provide some form of answer or look up information in their reference materials.  Astronomy is fun but it is also a terribly HUGE subject with many complex and evolving theories and concepts, taking many years to become somewhat knowledgeable on the many subjects.  With some astronomers, once you get them talking on a subject, you can't shut them up because of the passion and love they have for their hobby.

If you arrive early, bring lawn chairs, plenty of warm clothes, some refreshments and relax.  You may also be able to spend the night if you so desire and don't mind rustic sleeping and restroom conditions.  Many star parties, except for CalStar and other big-time star parties, usually wrap-up around midnight, but sometimes astronomers will stay until the wee hours of the morning if the stargazing is exceptionally clear.  A general rule-of-thumb is ... if the stars are twinkling, it is poor visibility because of the atmosphere.  If the stars are bright, crisp and steady, then it is good visibility.  Above all, keep an open mind and take advantage of a fantastic opportunity to learn about our night sky and all of the 'stuff' that is out there.  You may just come away with a whole new understanding of our Earth, its solar system, our home the Milky Way Galaxy and the vast Universe in which everything exists.

For a photo display of typical star parties (before dark), see CCAS Photo Gallery items Monthly CCAS Star Parties

Enjoy!