Post by bsimon615 on May 30, 2021 7:30:48 GMT -6
Organized star parties by their very nature (large number of observers and photographers all gathered in one place and all trying to observe the night sky to maximum benefit) need to have rules and guidelines for the common good of all. Some of these rules are relatively new as new technology has mandated the creation of new rules. Many observers need to be reminded of the rules as many attend star parties infrequently and may be new to the star party experience. This applies to both the Deep South Star Gaze, the Spring Scrimmage and to other star parties held in the United States and the world. We have outlined many of these rules in our "Observing Field Rules" but it seems that new situations require the creation of new rules for the benefit of all. I am going to list below some of the most common rule violations generating complaints from others on the field. We do this for the benefit of all. These rules/guidelines must be followed, they are not negotiable, they have to be followed.
1) Parking on the Arena Field at White Horse - spots are limited during the Deep South in the fall (not so much during the Spring Scrimmage). Parking spots will be marked. Space is limited. There can be no rv's on this field. Typically everyone will be allotted space that is 12 to 15 feet wide and long enough for a vehicle, canopy and telescope. There is not enough space to allow any attendee to have vehicle, canopy, tent, trailer and telescope (or vehicle smaller than an rv or camper, but larger than a car, suv or pickup. Something has to be parked outside or setup outside of the Arena Field. We will advise you as to specifics.
2) Arrival times - please arrive well before dark, best to arrive well before sunset to allow time to set up. Arrival after sunset is dicey as you need time to set up and arrival at this time disrupts what others are doing to prepare for observing. Lights out rules go into force typically 20 minutes after sunset. Do not call ahead to say you are running late and need permission to drive in and set up. (Note - if you think our rules are harsh, just research and read how strict rules are at other events.)
3) Departure times - at the fall Deep South there are no times on clear dark nights where one can leave and drive out at night from the Arena Field. If you are staying off-site, please part outside of the Arena Field, well up the road toward the main entrance and facing out. Lights inside your vehicle should be disabled and if you have to leave please do so using yellow parking lights only.
4) Green (or red, or any other color) lasers cannot be used at dark sky star parties. Use a traditional finder or a "red dot" finder, but no lasers permitted as they hinder observing and are absolutely disruptive to any astrophotography going on.
5) Red flashlights, headband lights, etc. - some are way too bright. We have fielded complaints over the past few years about this. Compare your lights to what others are using. You may need to tone your light down. This can be done with red paint, fingernail polish or an additional red plastic shield on the front lens of your flashlight. Some lights worn as headbands also are inadvertently pointed too high. Please keep lights pointed down (or turn them off).
6) Laptops used on the field - either for telescope pointing, photo processing, etc. - laptop screens should be in red light mode and shielded. Most will have laptops further shielded by placing inside a three sided box or small tent made especially for laptops. Laptop screens should be facing out from the field and from other observers/astrophotographers. If found to be too bright you will have to tone it down in some way. Note - like other rules, just check what other star parties do, what we do is very much in line with what is standard operating procedure at other events.
7) Guns at the star party - this has never really been part of our rules because we thought it was common sense. At star parties there is no need to either "open carry" or "conceal carry" hand guns. Guns in view make many people nervous, it is not necessary. Mississippi is an "open carry" state but private entities can have their own rules prohibiting this. I have discussed this with Carol at White Horse and she agrees that she does not want anyone carrying a firearm while on her property. We are hereby including wording in our Liability Waiver form prohibiting firearms as either open carry or concealed carry at our events. Carol is doing the same for any event at White Horse. We will have necessary signs in place at future events to serve as a reminder that this cannot be done. Violation of this rule will result in expulsion from the Deep South Star Gaze or Spring Scrimmage.
Questions? Post them here.
Barry Simon
1) Parking on the Arena Field at White Horse - spots are limited during the Deep South in the fall (not so much during the Spring Scrimmage). Parking spots will be marked. Space is limited. There can be no rv's on this field. Typically everyone will be allotted space that is 12 to 15 feet wide and long enough for a vehicle, canopy and telescope. There is not enough space to allow any attendee to have vehicle, canopy, tent, trailer and telescope (or vehicle smaller than an rv or camper, but larger than a car, suv or pickup. Something has to be parked outside or setup outside of the Arena Field. We will advise you as to specifics.
2) Arrival times - please arrive well before dark, best to arrive well before sunset to allow time to set up. Arrival after sunset is dicey as you need time to set up and arrival at this time disrupts what others are doing to prepare for observing. Lights out rules go into force typically 20 minutes after sunset. Do not call ahead to say you are running late and need permission to drive in and set up. (Note - if you think our rules are harsh, just research and read how strict rules are at other events.)
3) Departure times - at the fall Deep South there are no times on clear dark nights where one can leave and drive out at night from the Arena Field. If you are staying off-site, please part outside of the Arena Field, well up the road toward the main entrance and facing out. Lights inside your vehicle should be disabled and if you have to leave please do so using yellow parking lights only.
4) Green (or red, or any other color) lasers cannot be used at dark sky star parties. Use a traditional finder or a "red dot" finder, but no lasers permitted as they hinder observing and are absolutely disruptive to any astrophotography going on.
5) Red flashlights, headband lights, etc. - some are way too bright. We have fielded complaints over the past few years about this. Compare your lights to what others are using. You may need to tone your light down. This can be done with red paint, fingernail polish or an additional red plastic shield on the front lens of your flashlight. Some lights worn as headbands also are inadvertently pointed too high. Please keep lights pointed down (or turn them off).
6) Laptops used on the field - either for telescope pointing, photo processing, etc. - laptop screens should be in red light mode and shielded. Most will have laptops further shielded by placing inside a three sided box or small tent made especially for laptops. Laptop screens should be facing out from the field and from other observers/astrophotographers. If found to be too bright you will have to tone it down in some way. Note - like other rules, just check what other star parties do, what we do is very much in line with what is standard operating procedure at other events.
7) Guns at the star party - this has never really been part of our rules because we thought it was common sense. At star parties there is no need to either "open carry" or "conceal carry" hand guns. Guns in view make many people nervous, it is not necessary. Mississippi is an "open carry" state but private entities can have their own rules prohibiting this. I have discussed this with Carol at White Horse and she agrees that she does not want anyone carrying a firearm while on her property. We are hereby including wording in our Liability Waiver form prohibiting firearms as either open carry or concealed carry at our events. Carol is doing the same for any event at White Horse. We will have necessary signs in place at future events to serve as a reminder that this cannot be done. Violation of this rule will result in expulsion from the Deep South Star Gaze or Spring Scrimmage.
Questions? Post them here.
Barry Simon