SPACE.com's "Star Party Survival Guide" provides you with useful tips to help make the most of your stargazing party experience this summer.
Come prepared
Be aware that many star parties are held in remote locations where there are no bathroom facilities. Ask the party organizers what facilities are available and make plans accordingly.
Be sure to bring some water with you and perhaps some light snacks. Being active late at night makes most people hungry. Even if you do not get hungry you will certainly need something to drink, particularly on warm summer nights.
In most parts of the country you'll also want to carry bug repellent. Many insects are most active at night, and in some places mosquitoes can eat you alive in an hour. Bug repellent is available at sporting goods stores; the rub-on types seem to work better than the sprays.
Wear sturdy footwear, such as running shoes or hiking boots. In the dark it's hard to see what is underfoot and what you are stepping on, so your feet should be protected from sharp rocks, cactus or whatever inhabits the ground in at that site.
Children welcome
Star parties are family affairs and children are welcome. If you do bring children, be sure they stay with you at all times. If they're very small and they start crying, take them back to your car until they can be quieted down. Many children become cranky if they stay up too late, but are happy to sleep in the car if they have a blanket and their favorite toys.
When to arrive
It's important to arrive at the star party before dark. There are always a few stragglers who arrive after dark, but that is frowned upon because those already there don't like headlights shining at them after their vision has become dark-adapted. When you arrive after dark, you also run the risk of not finding the place at all: Many sites that are easy to find in daytime can be nearly impossible to find in the dark.
If you arrive before dark you'll also have a chance to see all the scopes being set up (often interesting to watch, particularly with the really huge scopes). You'll find that most astronomers are quite talkative and willing to discuss the telescopes and how they work, particularly if you offer to help them set up.
If you do have to arrive after dark, turn off your headlights far enough away from the viewing area so they won't disturb anyone. Drive in the rest of the way using your parking lights. When you first turn off your headlights the parking lights may seem inadequate, but if you give yourself a minute to become more dark-adapted you'll find you can drive just fine with just the parking lights.
advertisement
