Star Party etiquette

[TheBum]

- ask before touching, or observing through anyone's gear. If the owner is busy setting up, in an imaging run, or otherwise occupied, come back later

IMO, a star party is not an appropriate event for imaging. Not only does it make the scope inaccessible to other people, but it's also not a very controlled environment.

[AustinPSD]

IMO, a star party is not an appropriate event for imaging. Not only does it make the scope inaccessible to other people, but it's also not a very controlled environment.

None the less, many people image at star parties, particularly some of the larger ones, especially those in remote dark-site locations. You as an attendee can't control this, or any particular observer's activities at such an event, and in most cases the organizers/sponsors will not prohibit it.

There is a difference in a star party and an outreach event - in the latter case, rarely will one encounter an imager, as the event's point is usually to expose astronomy to a less-informed public. At a star party, within the dark hour rules and the sponsor's regulations (consider some of the larger venues like Prude Ranch, where the Texas Star Party is held) there will almost always be people imaging...

[whitenerj]

Please stay clear of pads where people might be imaging. I had a new guy out at our dark site last week walk on my pad and I lost 45 minutes worth of data from the vibration. Just be careful.

[skinnyonce]

because imaging is so fussy why not rope off their area and let people know they have entered the dark side and to be respectful, and if they cant behave dont enter

Please stay clear of pads where people might be imaging. I had a new guy out at our dark site last week walk on my pad and I lost 45 minutes worth of data from the vibration. Just be careful.

[Mageta]

Sounds kind of scary to be honest. I can see why people wouldn't want their equipment touched but being harassed over choice of clothing or body spray? That seems kind of extreme.

[brettecantwell]

Just be courteous to others and they will return the favor and have fun!

[Doug32]

There are some good suggestions in this thread. I have one and that is turn down your mobile phone while in the observing area. If you have to use it, leave the observing area and make the call.
Cheers
Doug

[dneal]

I would suggest that if you are bringing your own telescope to the star party that you never use a laser aiming device, as it may interfere with the photographers.

[AustinPSD]

Sounds kind of scary to be honest. I can see why people wouldn't want their equipment touched but being harassed over choice of clothing or body spray? That seems kind of extreme.

These are not extremes at all... many activities have their own, seemingly peculiar etiquette aspects. There are dark site locations where the glow from the Milky Way will light up white clothing like a big day-glow sail. To a well dark-adapted eye, this can be like a kick in the head. Similarly, in the pristine air of the evening, someone reeking of cologne, especially for someone nearby who has sensitivities can be very unpleasant.

Consider another other outdoor activity, horseback riding, hunting... there are similar rules of etiquette, whether you are a hunter or observer/photographer - aspects of clothing, scent, sound all come into consideration. If one wants to participate, one needs to be aware of the etiquette, and observe it...

[GrandPrixChris]

AustinPSD is right this has been brought up before but it's always good to have these little refreshers.
Seriously, I have been assaulted by strong perfume before; the result...watery eyes and not just me but other people have to suffer it as well.
A cell phone was brought up......a girl one time was talking on her cell phone and disturbing others even though she was talking about the event....."Oh....my.....gosh, these telescope things here are so so cool; it's like you can see everything that you never saw before ever in your whole entire life!"
And please for heaven's sake.....don't let the kids horse play around the scopes, talk about keeping someone one on edge while a little bugger is running around your prized instruments.
I always ask people to be very careful when getting ready to view through my scope so they don't touch it...."it moves very easily" is what I say.
If you take your own scope, you have every right to lay down some common sense rules to others in a gentle way.....I have never found anyone take offense to that.
The last thing I can say is to have fun!