Pay to look at the night sky

[Hans Tucker (Hans)]

Some interesting reading.

https://thefederalistpapers.org/opin...MDQiKEl8BijG0Y

[JeniSkunk (Jenifur)]

In the Twitter comments linked to from the article, USAian city parks have a closing time, 11pm, so it seems to be that the permit is so you can be there lawfully after that.
The discussion thread on Twitter - https://mobile.twitter.com/SallyMayw...75080379371520

[N1 (Mirko)]

That payment would be similar in concept to astro club subs or the fees you pay to a commercial operator. You are covering the cost incurred by your presence and a margin to ensure continuity and/or profit to the operator, not the cost of the activity per se.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Greed knows no limit.

[doppler (Rick)]

Most New York State Parks charge a vehicle use fee of between $6 and $10 dollars for day use. Parks may also charge additional fees for such amenities as pools and picnic shelter reservations.

$35 per year is pretty cheap really, and considering that only astronomers are allowed access at night.
Rick

[Ukastronomer (Jeremy)]

They CHARGE !!!!!!!!

Glad I am UK


.

[skysurfer]

Permits for activities like fishing and hunting at least make sense — after all, nobody benefits from an uneducated hunter or angler unknowingly devastating fisheries and forests.
But stargazing doesn’t damage anything. Those that look at the stars do not take away any resources, and the celestial bodies shine just as bright as before they were observed.

Well, the only thing is that setting up scopes and walking around in a park can damage some vegetation if done improperly but that is all.
It is a park of an owner / landlord and you use his property.


When it is public space, then it is indeed ripping off.

[N1 (Mirko)]

I fail to see the problem. If I decided to set up say at Charlotte Pass, which may well happen one day, and pay the park entry fee to do so (currently $17 per day), I wouldn't feel ripped off either. Having spent $$ on gear and petrol to pursue the hobby already, that would just be silly.

[Outcast (Carlton)]

Originally Posted by skysurfer

When it is public space, then it is indeed ripping off.

How is this different to the fee we pay to access & use National Parks in Australia?

Maintenance & upkeep of parks has to be paid for somehow... it's either user pay or higher taxes for all?

Which would you prefer?