Post by bsimon615 on Apr 19, 2022 9:36:11 GMT -6
All should check out the thread about being a good neighbor at star parties. It has gotten "lively" at times as different people have different perceptions about what is "ok" at a star party. Believe me, this thread has stirred memories of past Deep South Star Gazes and Spring Scrimmages.
All should read thru the thread, see what memories it wakes up for you.
See: www.cloudynights.com/topic/819976-creative-tips-for-being-a-good-star-party-neighbor/
One thing discussed on that thread that I want to bring up has to do with Light Trespass. We are all guilty of either not being aware of just how bright, even if red, some of our lights are. One issue in particular has to do with the habit, apparently growing more popular, of wearing red light headbands. There are several issues with these. They are at head level, typically point out, not down, and they are typically way too bright. See this "Cut and Paste"
FirstSight, on 18 Apr 2022 - 5:27 PM, said:
Even if a headlamp stays in red-only mode, it's an egregious star party sin to keep it on while strapped to your head in the observing field - you flash red light directly at the eyes of anyone in the direction you are momentarily facing. Some people doing AP are especially prone to obliviously doing this, and there's high probability you are annoying the heck out any visual observers you flash while they're trying to stay dark-adapted. ANY, even red light you use needs to be kept contained and directed away from other people to the maximum extent possible. It's impossible to do that while keeping a turned-on headlamp strapped to your head.
Yes, I really hate the red headlamps. They're almost always way too bright and, being head high, I've been blinded by them many times. That or I'll be wondering why my dob image is suddenly a red, swirling light and it turns out to me someone with a red headlamp looking in my direction with the light entering my scope from above.
The discussion got me thinking that maybe we should do an experiment to establish some parameters as to how bright lights that are commonly on an observing field can be. How can we do this? What about using a Sky Quality Meter? We first identify a light source, be it a computer screen or key board that seems ok. We aim a Sky Quality Meter at it from an established distance to see what the reading is. Based upon this we determine what is acceptable. We then do similar readings on computer screens that seem to be obviously too bright to see if the readings correlate with our perception. This could become an objective way of establishing limits, not subjective and/or arbitrary. The person then with lights that are too bright would have to dial it down or further shield his or her light sources.
Discussion?
All should read thru the thread, see what memories it wakes up for you.
See: www.cloudynights.com/topic/819976-creative-tips-for-being-a-good-star-party-neighbor/
One thing discussed on that thread that I want to bring up has to do with Light Trespass. We are all guilty of either not being aware of just how bright, even if red, some of our lights are. One issue in particular has to do with the habit, apparently growing more popular, of wearing red light headbands. There are several issues with these. They are at head level, typically point out, not down, and they are typically way too bright. See this "Cut and Paste"
FirstSight, on 18 Apr 2022 - 5:27 PM, said:
Even if a headlamp stays in red-only mode, it's an egregious star party sin to keep it on while strapped to your head in the observing field - you flash red light directly at the eyes of anyone in the direction you are momentarily facing. Some people doing AP are especially prone to obliviously doing this, and there's high probability you are annoying the heck out any visual observers you flash while they're trying to stay dark-adapted. ANY, even red light you use needs to be kept contained and directed away from other people to the maximum extent possible. It's impossible to do that while keeping a turned-on headlamp strapped to your head.
Yes, I really hate the red headlamps. They're almost always way too bright and, being head high, I've been blinded by them many times. That or I'll be wondering why my dob image is suddenly a red, swirling light and it turns out to me someone with a red headlamp looking in my direction with the light entering my scope from above.
The discussion got me thinking that maybe we should do an experiment to establish some parameters as to how bright lights that are commonly on an observing field can be. How can we do this? What about using a Sky Quality Meter? We first identify a light source, be it a computer screen or key board that seems ok. We aim a Sky Quality Meter at it from an established distance to see what the reading is. Based upon this we determine what is acceptable. We then do similar readings on computer screens that seem to be obviously too bright to see if the readings correlate with our perception. This could become an objective way of establishing limits, not subjective and/or arbitrary. The person then with lights that are too bright would have to dial it down or further shield his or her light sources.
Discussion?