STAR PARTY ETIQUETTE

When possible you should plan to arrive before sunset to set up your equipment. While this is not always possible, if you come after dark, you should be sensitive to keeping your lights off.

LIGHTS
Amateur astronomers know that almost any light except dim red light will hurt nighttime vision. For this reason they are careful to bring a dim red flashlight for their nighttime use. Flashing lights can also be very distracting. In general, it is best to keep all lights off unless they are absolutely necessary and dim. Automobile lights can be hard to control. The time to learn how to control your car's lights is before you come to the star party. It is hard learn how to control the lights in the middle of a dark night in the Fak. Look in the manual or talk to the dealer. Most cars have a dial or switch (usually connected to the panel light dimmer) that can shut off the interior lights even with the door open. Some cars have daytime headlights or automatic headlights that are always on. Sometimes these can be shut off by pulling up one or two notches on the parking brake. If they cannot be controlled this way, there may be a convenient override switch or easy-to-use fuse. If not, the driver has a few choices. IF YOU MUST DRIVE WITHOUT LIGHTS, have somebody help by walking along to guide you with a red
flashlight. If you know you will be leaving early, leave your car closer to the exit.

BEHAVIOR
Every club has its way of doing things. These guidelines will tell you a little about the way our star parties work. No one ever made rules about what you can and cannot do at a SWFAS Star Party, yet somehow we get along quite well together. We do not usually have music. The few times we have, it could not be heard more than the few feet from the player, and the person who was playing it checked with those around first. We do not smoke near the telescope field. There is no running around. People wait patiently for their turn to look through a scope if need be. One is expected to allow others to look through one's scope (unless they are involved in a specific observing or astrophotography program, and that can be explained). Again, these aren't really rules, they just are the way we do things. 

EQUIPMENT--YOURS AND OTHERS
The reason to have a star party is to do observing and so that we can do it together. If you wish to bring your own equipment feel free. If you want help setting up, just ask--you will find some volunteers. If you do not have your own equipment, feel free to visit with any person on the field and ask what they are doing or "What are you looking at?" In very rare instances you may run into somebody who simply is working too hard at something to take time to visit with you and have you look through the telescope. This is true for some astrophotography or other specialized observing. These things take a lot of concentration. However, most people on the field would love to have you look through their scope; just be friendly. You never need equipment of your own to attend a Star Party. If you are new to this, be aware that equipment should be handled with the same care you would give any delicate instrument like a fine camera or good crystal. Generally, equipment is not fragile like these items can be, and won't break when touched. However, since the optics magnify so much, a simple touch can disturb the view, and may even move the scope so that you cannot see the object. So, do everything gently. 

FIRST TIMERS' QUESTIONS
If you have never been to a Star Party before, are visiting for extra credit in your astronomy class, want to know what kind of telescope to buy, are having trouble with your equipment, or whatever--just ask. Just as with any other group, we have some quiet and stick-to-themselves people. However, the vast majority of members are more than willing to share with you whatever they know. They will probably go on more than you asked for. The mission of the South West Florida Astronomical Society is to "educate the public about the wonders of the night sky" We can't do that if you don't ask. First timers especially should attach themselves to somebody and simply spend the evening around them. If you would like such a mentor, just look around. The best candidates will already have a few people standing around looking through their scopes. Just join in.