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NASA don't turn up at Public Outreach events, set up in the middle of the main observing field and ruin everyones' night vision.
There is a time and place for everything. The middle of the main observing field at a public star party isn't the place to set up imaging equipment, particularly when the event is being promoted as a public outreach event.
If the organisers can set aside a SEPARATE area for imagers, shielded from the main observing field, I have no problems with that at all. Fortunately most imagers are thoughtfull (at least 95%) and properly shield their screens and turn the brightness right down. Unfortunately, there are a few that don't give a rats about anyone else on the field and light the joint up like the Electric Horseman riding in to Luna Park.
I only have a problem with imagers that don't respect the rights of visual observers, at a public star party. There is room for everyone, just respect the rights of others. Unfortunately one person didnt do this at IISAC 2006 which you might say left a very sour taste in my mouth in regard to imagers. I don't like making the effort to go to such events only to be blinded all night long by a laptop screen and have my 3 nights under beautifull dark skies ruined.
Cheers,
John B
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