July 4, 2008

In Today's One Minute Astronomer...

Behave Yourself: Star-Party Etiquette

Whether you're a beginner or experienced amateur astronomer, star parties are a great way to share your interests with others and check out all kinds of astronomical hardware. But there are a few unwritten rules of behavior at a star party. Here's how to avoid being an astronomical social misfit.

The Basics

• The most important rule for any star party: don't turn on a white light without everyone's permission unless it's a dire emergency. White light ruins your fellow observers' dark-adapted vision. And you could completely ruin someone's long deep-sky image. Not a good way to make new friends! If possible, bring a red LED flashlight specially designed for astronomy.

• Arrive before dark. This gives you time to set up your equipment and get oriented. And for a serious star party, don't drive up (or leave) with your headlights turned on once the crowd has started observing. Many star parties don't allow it.

• One of the pleasures of a star party lies in looking through all kinds of different telescopes. But always make sure you have permission to look, and especially to touch and adjust someone else's optical equipment.

A Deeper Look

• Don't be afraid to ask (and answer) questions. Most amateur astronomers are sociable, at least at star parties, and love to talk about their equipment and interest in the sky.

• Many astronomy clubs run kid-friendly events. But check ahead to see if kids and pets are allowed. At a serious star party, there are dozens of expensive telescopes strung with hundreds of feet of power and data cables. You don't want young kids or dogs running around in the dark. Eventually, something important will get knocked over.

• At the end of the night, for safety reasons, don't leave the last person alone.

A Bit of History

Legend has it that King George III of the United Kingdom, a noted stargazer, held star parties in the late 1700's. If clouds obscured the real stars, servants hung paper lanterns marked with drawings in the trees around the palace so the King and his guests had something to see through their telescopes.

Personal View

As a confirmed introvert, I find it's a mental hurdle to pack up the scope and head off to spend a night in a dark field full of strangers. But I never regret attending a good star party… there's always a pleasant feeling of goodwill and shared enthusiasm in the air. And lots of big telescopes to look through.

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