Observing Etiquette

[Louwai (Bryan)]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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......

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!!

[Louwai (Bryan)]

Originally Posted by 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!!

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 (Alex)]

Originally Posted by 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

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

Alex.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by Shep

are they usually a beer/wine or a tea/coffee thing....

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

[pgc hunter]

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

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by 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 ....

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 (Geoff)]

well said Allen

geoff

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

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 (Chris)]

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.

[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 (David)]

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 (Eric)]

Originally Posted by DavidTrap

except for the boot light which has no switch - that requires pulling the light apart and taking out the bulb...

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.


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

[Paddy (Patrick)]

Originally Posted by 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.

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 (Allan)]

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 (Geoff)]

spoiled we are Allan

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

geoff

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

Originally Posted by 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.


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

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 (Peter)]

Originally Posted by el_draco

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

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