Post by bsimon615 on Sept 28, 2018 14:30:47 GMT -6
Whether we call it a star gaze or a star party or something else, maybe a nocturnal sojourn, they are all the same thing - an extended opportunity for observing and fellowship under the stars and including several other opportunities to benefit from the hobby.
Many of us, though not all, benefit from a few hours here and there under the stars on reasonably good nights (or days) for observing celestial targets be it within our own solar system or beyond. If not in a club and/or without access to dark skies, most start observing from home - the Moon, the brighter planets and stars and little else, being that most of us reside under a dome of light pollution. With access to darker skies, particularly if a member of a club that has access to dark skies, whole new targets become available in a setting that shows them at their best. Even with such access, often time is limited and the time spent under the stars may be measured in just 3 to 5 hours. Sometimes even less and sometimes just a bit more. Most times just a few others are there doing the same thing and the exposure of someone new to a multitude of instruments (especially important if in a "buying" mode) is limited.
This brings us to the popularity of annual star parties and in particular the Deep South Star Gaze. An event like this, and others held around the country, are popular for a multitude of reasons including:
1) Brings friends together that otherwise may not even know one another, and have limited opportunities to visit and interact with each other.
2) Gives observers an opportunity to really spend some time under the stars in a relaxed atmosphere over at least several days.
3) Gives attendees the opportunity to look at and look thru a number of instruments that otherwise they would never be exposed to.
4) Gives attendees the opportunity to hear different programs given at the star party.
5) Gives attendees the chance to win valuable prizes, some things that they may have wanted but would not have the funds to purchase.
6) Pulls all of these benefits together in an environment that is relaxing - a true vacation.
I could probably go on and think of a few other things, but the above covers most bases. Like any vacation the venue and the features/benefits are specialized. There are some that are bored to death by a star party and what one is all about, but to those of us that really enjoy the hobby, a star party is it. The event of the season, particularly if the weather really cooperates. I look forward to it every year, even with all the work. I do not sleep well the night before I am so ramped up. Headed up to the star gaze gives me the same kind of feeling I had as a kid waking up on Christmas morning. More so in fact than any of the non-astronomy vacations I go on. Shhhhh!, don't tell my wife.
I especially like to ask newcomers, particularly those that I feel are really charged up about their new hobby, what they think about the star party after they are in for a few days and nights, particularly when the weather is good. Kind of like talking to someone who has just seen Saturn for the first time thru a telescope. Wow! and Awesome! are expressive terms that can be applied to either Saturn, Jupiter, the Moon, the Orion Nebula or to a star party. One of the many reasons it doesn't get old for me is being able to talk to others who have just spent perhaps their first night ever under a dark sky surrounded by close to 100 other people and maybe close to 100 telescopes. It is truly something that you have to experience to truly understand it.
Cannot wait, but in less than 6 weeks the 36th Edition of the Deep South Star Gaze will be here!
Barry Simon
Many of us, though not all, benefit from a few hours here and there under the stars on reasonably good nights (or days) for observing celestial targets be it within our own solar system or beyond. If not in a club and/or without access to dark skies, most start observing from home - the Moon, the brighter planets and stars and little else, being that most of us reside under a dome of light pollution. With access to darker skies, particularly if a member of a club that has access to dark skies, whole new targets become available in a setting that shows them at their best. Even with such access, often time is limited and the time spent under the stars may be measured in just 3 to 5 hours. Sometimes even less and sometimes just a bit more. Most times just a few others are there doing the same thing and the exposure of someone new to a multitude of instruments (especially important if in a "buying" mode) is limited.
This brings us to the popularity of annual star parties and in particular the Deep South Star Gaze. An event like this, and others held around the country, are popular for a multitude of reasons including:
1) Brings friends together that otherwise may not even know one another, and have limited opportunities to visit and interact with each other.
2) Gives observers an opportunity to really spend some time under the stars in a relaxed atmosphere over at least several days.
3) Gives attendees the opportunity to look at and look thru a number of instruments that otherwise they would never be exposed to.
4) Gives attendees the opportunity to hear different programs given at the star party.
5) Gives attendees the chance to win valuable prizes, some things that they may have wanted but would not have the funds to purchase.
6) Pulls all of these benefits together in an environment that is relaxing - a true vacation.
I could probably go on and think of a few other things, but the above covers most bases. Like any vacation the venue and the features/benefits are specialized. There are some that are bored to death by a star party and what one is all about, but to those of us that really enjoy the hobby, a star party is it. The event of the season, particularly if the weather really cooperates. I look forward to it every year, even with all the work. I do not sleep well the night before I am so ramped up. Headed up to the star gaze gives me the same kind of feeling I had as a kid waking up on Christmas morning. More so in fact than any of the non-astronomy vacations I go on. Shhhhh!, don't tell my wife.
I especially like to ask newcomers, particularly those that I feel are really charged up about their new hobby, what they think about the star party after they are in for a few days and nights, particularly when the weather is good. Kind of like talking to someone who has just seen Saturn for the first time thru a telescope. Wow! and Awesome! are expressive terms that can be applied to either Saturn, Jupiter, the Moon, the Orion Nebula or to a star party. One of the many reasons it doesn't get old for me is being able to talk to others who have just spent perhaps their first night ever under a dark sky surrounded by close to 100 other people and maybe close to 100 telescopes. It is truly something that you have to experience to truly understand it.
Cannot wait, but in less than 6 weeks the 36th Edition of the Deep South Star Gaze will be here!
Barry Simon
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