Observing Etiquette

[Shep]

Just wanted to know what astronomy club etiquette is at observing nights, are they usually a beer/wine or a tea/coffee thing, I'm guessing tea/coffee but just wanted to check...Planning on going to some club meetings this year ....

[norm]

Hi Sarah,

Tip 1. Don't turn up with car lights ablazing !!! They'll let you know pretty quickly! ;):D:rofl:

Cheers Norm

[Shep]

:lol: Thanks! Good tip! :lol:

[pgc hunter]

Do not use spray-on insect repellent :whistle:

[Blue Skies]

Other things I'd add (and wish more people would take note of):

Turn off the internal lights in your car, including the boot light. If the boot light doesn't turn off cover it with some red cloth or the like.

Have a small red torch. Don't turn up with a Dolphin lantern covered by just one bit of cellophane, that still waaaay too bright. Dont use white light!!!

(As mentioned above) Dont' turn up with the high beams on and blast the whole observing field. If you're not familiar with the site arriving in daylight is recommended.

If you're going to leave early place yourself near the exit or facing the exit so you don't blast everyone again on your way out.

If using a laptop make some effort to at least shield it or using a filter over the screen to dull it down. I'm not much of a fan of the red 'night vision mode) some things have, I still think its too bright (yes, I'm a bit old school when it comes to light on the field, the less the better).

Most places I've been its been tea and coffee galore but alcohol to be consumed quietly if you really must have it and do not ever get drunk. You're there to do astronomy, not drink. If you're a serious observer best not to have any as it can affect your night-vision. Best to check with your local group on their policies, however.

Don't play loud music blasting from your car speakers. If you really must have music use earphones. Not everyone will share your musical taste, unfortunately.

Bring a chair, unless you like to do lots of standing. ;)

Some of this might seem like common sense, but there's always someone who doesn't see it that way.

[stephenb]

That's a hard call, Sarah. I'd suggest sussing out a couple of members who are attending. I have been to star parties that were strictly no alcohol, other camps have been BYO!

Here were my rules from a long time ago. They don't relate directly to your question but they may be of some help...

1. Don't take too much gear. Take minimal equipment and pack with minimal bags, and pack the bags in some logical order. There is nothing worse than trying to find something in across several bags.

2. Arrive early. Find a nice corner of the paddock/observing area and set yourself up in an easy spot with all your gear and camping items (tents etc.) close by.

3. Try to remain self sufficient.

4. No spray insect repellent.

5. No headlights. Buy some red cellophane and cover your car interior lights before driving to the camp, just in case you accidently open the door in the middle of the night.

6. Take snacks to munch on throughout the night. No greasy snack.

7. No makeup (or in my case, beware of people who use wear makeup). I had a woman look through my scope once and she left mascara (or something) on the eyepiece.

8. Make an escape plan in case the weather turns pear-shaped. What are you going to leave setup? What can you quickly dismantle and throw in the tent/bungalow/back of the car?

I haven't been to a star party for years now, but these are some tips I to followed. Good luck.

Stephen

[GrahamL]

eye make up and mascara not required (greasing up eyepieces).. sounds kinda sexist dosn't it ?.. but I swear I only found that out from personal experiance :D

[Shep]

LOL Thanks people those tips have been really helpful and yes keep them coming if anyone else has anything more to add!

With the eye makeup, good point! - not sure I could be ass'd for nighttime in a backyard or field but a good thing to be remember incase you havent taken it off after wearing it that day!

[space oddity]

To add to the list, sprays of all kinds. Sunscreen solvent and insect repellent solvent can be lethal to optical components.It may be an idea to warn of these dangers to all entrants to star parties or other public astronomy functions.
Another to add to the list,assorted luxury goodies. Most people will bring some luxury goodies to share , so add to the variety. Luckily, garlic infested stuff is probably OK as scopes are usually sufficiently far apart. If the goodies create flatulance, at least there will be some extra gas nebulae:rofl:
A bit of port always goes down well-warms the bones. So it can affect the vision a bit, but shivering is worse.
Getting back to the makeup, why in the cosmos would anyone want to be dolled up with mascara out in the dark where absolutely noone will notice?

[mithrandir]

Some people wouldn't be seen dead without their makeup.

And that's not just women.

[pgc hunter]

Even though I'm a notorious boozehound myself (well according to my bro and his gf and pretty much all of my mates) I strongly object to the consumption of booze at star parties. That stuff will kill your night vision and make you cold, even if it works wonders for socialisation and getting cute astro chicks. As a serious observer myself, I want my galaxies resolved!

that being said, my best ever view of the Trapezium came at 500x in my 10" dob while I was wasted. Then it clouded over 0.1 seconds later. But folks, don't get wasted at the eyepiece! There is infact no positive corrolation between drunkeness and seeing.

Hot choc and Coffee is my beverage of choice when I'm at teh eyepeice ;)

[jjjnettie]

:lol: I wouldn't be seen dead with make up on.

1. don't shine your torch down other peoples optical tubes. someone may be imaging through it. (it's a fairly common occurrence :mad2:)
2. always bring enough chocolate cake for everyone. this will guarantee you an invitation to even more star parties.
3. it always gets cool/cold. take warm clothes, track pants, thick socks, flanno shirt, jumper.
4. be aware of leads around and between scopes. you don't want to trip over, taking $8000 worth of gear to the ground with you.:eyepop:

[thunderchildobs]

My pet peeve is when I setup and then a smoker setups near me.
If a smoker wants to smoke at the scope which is near me they should have the courtesy to ask first. Equally, if i am stupid enough to setup near a smoker it is my fault, so i can't complain. Once I know who the smokers are, I setup as far as possible upwind as I can.

[Lyinxz]

just observe by yourself and do whatever you want :)

[ausastronomer]

I agree with everything Stephen has said except for the above point.

Whilst you shouldn't drive in with high beams on lighting the place up like Luna Park, you should drive in (and leave) very slowly with enough lights on to see where you are driving and ensuring the safety to everyone and everything that might be in your path. You don't need to hit a child or put your car into a gully or the like because you were driving in with no lights on to preserve the night vision of a few selfish individuals. People will yell and scream at you, let them. I just tell them where to get off.

Laboratory tests have proven that dark adaption is only momentarily affected by "brief" exposures to white light (less than 30 seconds) and will recover within 1 or 2 minutes. It will take an injured person, animal or child a lot longer than that to recover if it is damaged.

Cheers,
John B

[stephenb]

Agree with you there, John. Perhaps I should have clarified this point. Don't come tearing into the site at dusk or later with your headlights on High beam, totally unannounced.
As I have had to do in the past, if you are arriving during twilight, or you feel there may be people already set up and imaging, perhaps stop over the hill, or down the road a bit, and walk up to the site to investigate it, and then proceed with low beams or parking lights. But every situation is different. In the end, try to get there and set up before sunset, I guess :thumbsup:.

I have never been phased with someone driving in with parking lights on or even low beams, just lok the other way. Having said that I'm not a fussy imager ;)

[rogerg]

One item I'd like to add is being aware of how much you're talking to people. I find some people aren't aware how much they talk and how busy I am at the time. They think they can keep talking all night to me about nothing, meanwhile my imaging time is going bye bye. I like a chat now and then, and like much more of a chat once my gear is running, but it's really hard to shake some people off so you can get some of your own viewing & photography done. Can be a bit annoying when you've driven 2 hours for the night. So if someone's running around they're scope doing 10 things at once, come back to them later :)

Roger.

[Louwai]

Me too. I agree with Stephen & John.

One thing I found out the embarresing way.
If you have a vehicle with lights which turn on & off automatically, make sure you MANUALLY turn the light switch to OFF not Auto after you arrive.

My vehicle has auto headlights. They will automatically come on as soon as the driver's door is opened.
One night leaving the MPAS in Frankston I casually wandered up to the car at about 1am & opened the door to jump in.
POW!!!:eyepop:
Super bright light blasting across the observing field.......:help::sadeyes:
I slammed the door shut, but regardless the lights will stay on for aprox 45 seconds. That's a REALLY long time when EVERYONE on the field has their eyes glued to you........

I couldn't get in quick enough to turn the lights off.




The broken bones didn't take too long to heal...:(

[el_draco]

Same question I had when I saw stillettoes on the field. Lasted 10 minutes and one twisted ankle... :screwy:

[erick]

Even the key press remote can be a nuisance if it flashes your indicators. I make a point to key lock the car during the evening if I have to go and have coffee and want to lock it - that doesn't flash the indicators in my case.

[Louwai]

Unfortunately Eric, that honda of mine is also keyless.... + if I lock it, the flamin headlights come on when I push the 'unlock' button on the remote.
In addition, I can put the headlights on manual & I can turn off the interior roof lights, but it also has blue courtesey lights at the bottom of the doors & under the front seats. These can't be turned off at all.......

I've always been aware of the remote lights & so I don't lock it at all on the observing field, but that night at MPAS I totally forgot about them coming on when the door is opened......

[Shep]

Hmmmm so there ARE perks to driving an old rust bucket. I'll have to think of that every time i get listfull for a new car!! :lol:

[Louwai]

Yes Sarah.... Sometimes old is better..... & easier to fgure out.
At one stage I was thinking of putting a small trailer on the back of the bike, but that would be no good as the bike doesn't have a headlight switch at all... When the ignition is on, the headlight is on.....

[mick pinner]

;)l'm that nervous now l may never go to a star party again, a flashing indicator, how terrible.

[StarGazing]

Great point John, safety first before anything else. Common sense should prevail.

Alex.

[multiweb]

The more wine the more stars IMHO. :shrug: If you're not imaging then it's all good. Otherwise you need a dedicated imager for the night. :thumbsup:

[pgc hunter]

Put red cellophane over the headlights? (and indicators!) :shrug: ;)

[Allan_L]

Hi Sarah,
First Priority, GO to the star Party.
To avoid embarrassment, get there before sun down, so you wont be disturbing anyone and so you can introduce yourself.
Importantly, Watch what the others do.
Most people here are very friendly and welcoming (and forgiving).
We want to bring new people into the observing groups, not scare them away with rules and regulations.
Remember, when it stopsbeing Fun, the people stop coming.

Our observing site is very casual.
But people appreciate each others courtesies.
There is beer and spirits around, and tea and coffee too.
And one or two even enjoy a cigar.

Just go withthe flow and you will be fine.
But most importantly, we want you to come and join us.
The joy obtained from this hobby is multiplied by sharing it with friends.

Best wishes
Life is about choices.

[GTB_an_Owl]

well said Allen :thumbsup:

geoff

[jjjnettie]

I've been attending star parties for around 5 years now.
I love the atmosphere surrounding them. To me it's exciting. When you first arrive there in the afternoon and start setting up, here is an air of anticipation that intensifies as the sun starts to set.
Once the sky is well and truly dark, that's when all starts to happen. The imagers are sitting, bowed over their laptops, muttering curses and counter curses. The visual folk are taking a tour through the brighter objects, waiting for their night vision to kick in before setting off in search of faint fuzzies.
The visitors are wandering around from scope to scope, have a peek at this and peek at that. Comparing views, learning a bit of the lingo along the way.
Yep, it's great fun.

[Screwdriverone]

One thing I would like to add is to NOT use the key fob to lock,unlock the car, use the key in the drivers door. If it is your local club, dont even bother to lock it, unless you think there is something in there that may get nicked.

When you go to get stuff out of the car and automatically buzz the key fob, people WILL start throwing bricks and counterweights at you because the blinkers on your car will dazzle everyone.

One I learned the hard way because I didnt even register what would happen....

Cheers

Chris

Ps. seems I didnt read all the thread before replying, sorry for the double up in info. :doh:

[Wavytone]

No choice with my car - it locks itself 30 seconds after the doors are closed. I leave the boot open to stop it locking.

[DavidTrap]

I have to flip a plastic cover off the end of the door handle to find the "emergency keyhole" to lock my car without using the remote. I can turn off all lights inside the car, except for the boot light which has no switch - that requires pulling the light apart and taking out the bulb...

Modern technology at its finest!

DT

[erick]

I rewired mine through a switch with a small red 12V bezel. So I can switch the light off and leave the dull red bulb on. :thumbsup:


Now, it would help if I could remember which way to switch my Eveready headlamp - I usually flick it to white light once a night :rolleyes:

[Paddy]

I reckon that this is the best reason for arriving early - not just to see how things are set up, but to talk to people and gawk at their setups. Not really etiquette, just the fun.

[Allan_L]

Thanks Geoff,

It is sorry times if people feel they have to LOCK the car at their local observing site ...

We are definitely spoiled at the Pony Club Mr Owl

[GTB_an_Owl]

spoiled we are Allan

best solution for interior and boot lights - a roll of red cloth tape from the reject shop - - - $2

geoff

[Screwdriverone]

I wil admit to doing that too Eric, more than once a night too.... ;)

Chris

[astro_nutt]

Hi all!
Lots of good info here! I'd like to add a few more hints...for cars that don't have an isolation switch...try covering all the lights, headlights, indicators, etc, with aluminium foil and masking tape. (it'll save the torrents of abuse you might cop!)
I looked through my car's handbook (03 Falcon) and you can isolate the interior light when openning any door. So it's worth checking your car's handbook.
If you unable to arrive earlier and it's dark...get someone to guide you to the site and don't forget to cover the dashboard/console lights...
Cheers!

[noswonky]

I find stilettos very useful for reaching the eyepiece on large dobs!

[Blue Skies]

The mind boggles... :lol:

[ballaratdragons]

Apart from the strict light rules and other rules, here are some other general rules we apply:

General Observing Field Etiquette

Here are a few general pointers to ensure that everybody enjoys themselves.

All people staying at the camp need to be mindful of the need to limit extraneous light. Eg: keeping camp building doors closed after twilight.


People come to the Astro Camp for varying reasons. Some wish to check out as much equipment as possible, whilst others wish to make the most of the Dark Sky that is available at the camp for some quality observing time. If someone is busy observing please wait till they move from the eyepiece/computer screen before interrupting him or her.

Never touch/use anyone else's equipment without an invitation from the owner.


If someone is kind enough to loan you a piece of equipment, do not on-loan to a 3rd party without the owners knowledge and consent.


Parents, please keep Children under supervision and control when on the observing field, forecourt or anywhere else equipment is erected. Please instruct children they can look through telescopes only when invited to, but never touch.

[RobF]

Well said Roger :)
I think I almost need a sign sometimes - "The Imaging Run is underway - Can Now Talk!". Not sure what to put on the other side though....
It is frustrating when you've driven sometimes hours to get somewhere dark and you really need the first 2 hrs to get things set up properly.
I try not to be too boring though once everything is cooking (assuming it actually ever does that is...:lol:)

[RobF]

Gosh I wish I was going to star party tonight now JJJ! :sadeyes:

[shelltree]

I concur. When I first went to the SEQAS urban observers night with my friend I got there before dark so head lights weren't a hassle but when I left I made sure I didn't turn my lights on until I had turned around and driven back across the oval slightly.

BAD idea. Forgot to turn my lights back on before driving over a million sticks and turned them on just in time to drive down the curb and back onto the road, scraping the plastic guard under my car, stalling it and beeping my horn all at the same time (as a newbie especially, this was ridiculously embarrassing). We then had to get out of the car and roll around on the ground pulling sticks out from underneath my car. I certainly advise not having your headlights blazing all over the place but being able to see where you're going is also very, very important.