Observing Etiquette

[Blue Skies (Jacquie)]

The mind boggles...

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

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 (Rob)]

Originally Posted by 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.

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...)

[RobF (Rob)]

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.

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

[shelltree (Shelley)]

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

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.