Some people may think that the words astronomer and party-animal don’t go together. Nonetheless, for many astronomy enthusiasts, star parties are the social highlight of the observing season.
Star parties are informal gatherings of amateur astronomers that let them share the night sky and their telescopes with the public and other observers. They can range from a few hours at a local park to week-long events held at distant dark-sky sites. They are usually sponsored by a local astronomy club, museum, or park. You can bring your own telescope or look through those of others.
There are a few things you need to decide and prepare for before you head out for the starry skies and join the fun, so if star parties are new to you, read on for advice on getting the most from your first one. The motto “Be prepared” is not just for scouts. It applies to amateur astronomers, too!
Preparations
First on the list is to find out as much as you can about the star party that you plan on attending. Major star parties will likely have a dedicated website or Facebook page. If it’s a smaller affair hosted by a local club or museum, look for details posted on the sponsor’s website.
Key information to look for includes location, dates, times, fees, registration requirements, camping information, food service, program details, weather contingencies, and star party rules. Pay careful attention to the rules and deadlines for registrations. If you know anyone who’s previously attended the star party, ask them to share their experiences and any tips or suggestions.
If the star party location is reasonably close to you, consider making a pre-visit during the daytime. By checking it out before you go, you can locate the viewing site, parking, and important amenities like restrooms or porta-potties.
If you’re bringing a telescope or camera gear, make sure you take the time to make a thorough checklist of things to bring. (Believe me, it’s no fun to haul a telescope hundreds of miles to a star party only to find that you forgot to bring eyepieces.) One way to do this is to assemble your setup at home well before the star party. Make a detailed list of every item that you’ll need in order to use your telescope — for example, telescope tube, tripod, mount, eyepieces, counterweights, slow motion cables, finder scope, batteries, electronics, and manuals. And don’t forget any tools needed to assemble or adjust your gear. If you use a star atlas or guidebook, put it on the list, too. You can reuse the same checklist when you pack up to go home so you don’t leave anything behind. If this is going to be your first star party, you may even want to leave your telescope at home and just soak up the experience and enjoy views through other people’s scopes.
Light advice
The most important piece of gear to bring along is a red flashlight and spare batteries. By “red,” I mean one that gives off red light instead of white light.
To best see faint stars, star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae, you need to dark adapt your eyes. To do this, you must avoid looking at any bright lights, especially white light, for 20 minutes or more. This allows the pupils of your eyes to open to their widest and the photosensitive chemicals in your retinas to build up. Exposure to any bright light will spoil your dark adaption and you’ll have to start all over again.
But you will need at least some light to be safe and to see star charts and equipment. Research shows that red light is the least damaging to night vision, so a good red flashlight is the astronomer’s best friend. Get one that’s only as bright as needed for reading a chart or safely moving around at night.
A dimmable red light is best. Some off-the-shelf flashlights include a red or night vision setting, but avoid those that force you to click through one or more white light modes before you get to the red. Instead, look for one with a separate switch for just the red mode.
You can also red-shift a white flashlight by covering the lens with dense red plastic such as the clear red tape sold in auto parts stores for temporary repairs of broken taillights. In a pinch, you even can use a brown paper bag to both dim and redden a white flashlight. There are also red cellphone flashlight apps you can download. But use any flashlight sparingly during a star party, and be careful to not shine it directly into someone’s eyes or telescope.
Speaking of white-light no-nos, be sure to cover or switch off any white lights in your car so that opening doors doesn’t destroy the night vision of fellow stargazers. That brings us to the tricky issue of external car lights: Make sure that you arrive at the star party before it gets dark so that your headlights don’t spoil the observing. If for some reason you arrive after dark, try to park away from the telescopes where your headlights won’t shine on observers. If you think you may need to leave before dawn or before the star party officially ends, again, park where your headlights or taillights will not blast the observing area. (Of course, in any case, safety must take priority. If you must turn on white light for an emergency or to safely drive your vehicle, do so.)
Another light source people sometimes forget are device screens. Laptops, tablets, and cellphones are handy tools, but their bright screens can ruin your night vision in a flash. So, before it gets dark, lower the screen brightness as much as possible and see if you can change the screen background to black and text color to red. For laptops, adapt a suitable-sized plastic bin or cardboard box to restrict light to a single direction. Painting the box’s interior with flat black paint is a big help.
Beyond clear skies
It’s important to be prepared for the weather at a star party. Always check the latest forecast. If a hurricane or severe thunderstorm is on its way, you might want to reconsider plans to attend. In some cases, the hosts may even cancel it, so stay informed.
Also check for predicted nighttime temperatures. Even if daytime temperatures are quite warm, once the Sun goes down, it can cool off quickly. Be sure to bring gloves, hats, and extra layers. Simple sneakers may not be enough to keep your feet warm; you may want to consider bringing insulated boots.
Don’t plan on warming up in your car with the engine running, as the fumes will annoy your fellow stargazers. You’ll find that small disposable charcoal-and-iron hand warmers sold for campers and hunters come in handy for frozen fingers — and also to remove dew from telescope optics. There are rechargeable electric handwarmers available, as well.
Besides the cold, be prepared for rain and dew. Bring along plastic tarps or plastic garbage bags so that you can quickly cover your telescope and other gear if a sudden shower pops up. If you observe where dew can form on your optics, invest in telescope dew heaters or a battery powered car window defroster to chase the damp.
Other tips
In addition to weather, be prepared for the creepy crawlies. Depending on where you stargaze, these could be mosquitoes, flies, spiders, scorpions, ants, or ticks. To avoid the latter, don’t set up in tall grass or brush. A good insect repellent comes in handy for star parties. Be careful, however, with DEET-based repellents: DEET may damage plastics, rubber, paint, ink, and certain coatings.
If your star party is more than a one-night stand, be sure to bring sunblock. And personal comfort is important. Bring snacks, a thermos of a hot or cold beverage (no alcohol), and some toilet paper — just in case. If you plan to spend more than one night at the star party, be prepared to camp out. A few events may offer cabins or a bunk house, but they are the exceptions. Even if you plan to sleep in your vehicle, you’ll need blankets, food, and nonalcoholic beverages.
Set up your equipment before it gets dark. This allows you to align your finder telescope on distant trees or utility poles, review your object lists, and collimate your optics if you have a reflector. If you’re having problems with setup, feel free to seek advice from others, but keep in mind they may initially be busy setting up their own gear.
As a courtesy to others, don’t play music during the star party. Not all astronomers share the same taste in music, and most enjoy the vibe of nature’s nocturnal sounds. Likewise, if you must smoke or vape, please be considerate of others by doing it downwind.
After setup, feel free to wander by the other telescopes and socialize. Amateur astronomers are a friendly bunch. But it’s best to ask permission before looking through someone else’s scope, and you should avoid touching equipment without the owner’s OK. Typical questions you might ask include, “What are you looking at?” and “What kind of telescope is this?” or “What power/eyepiece are you using?” Be especially careful where you aim your red flashlight, especially if someone is imaging.
If you follow these guidelines, your evening under the stars should be heavenly and hassle-free.
Ken Wilson is a longtime observer and imager who has been to many star parties during his time on this planet.
