Post by bsimon615 on Sept 17, 2018 18:36:21 GMT -6
Our observing field rules and regulations pretty much covers most contingencies and I encourage everyone to look at those regulations. It is much better to come in knowing what is expected rather than to encounter surprises.
I am attaching this link to Rules for the Okie-Tex Star Party which covers the same topic and pretty much is in agreement with what our rules are. The purpose for doing this is to illustrate that star party rules, be it the Deep South Star Gaze, Okie-Tex, the Texas Star Party or virtually anything else are all pretty much the same.
www.okie-tex.com/party_etiquette.php
Several key things which are vital for all to read, heed and remember is -
1) No green, red, or other color lasers at night if clear. This is a dark sky event, this is not a public outreach event. Know this because some may have a green laser set up on their telescope as a finder. We cannot allow that, please substitute an optical finder or a red dot finder (which is not a laser).
2) All vehicle lights, interior and exterior must be disabled. Review how to do this at home. You will feel and hear the "Wrath of Khan" and probably several others if you either forget or ignore this rule.
3) Flashlights have to have red bulbs or be red shielded. If still too bright your friendly neighborhood star party official will help you "fix it".
4) Likewise anyone using a computer, laptop, iPad or cell phone on the field has to have it red shielded. Turning the brightness way down is still way to bright, Shielding it on 3 sides is still way to bright because your face has an albedo rating just like the surface of the Moon and you will look like the Man in the Moon if your computer screen is illuminating your face. Many computers have a red light setting and that (may) be enough, but maybe not. Check it out in your backyard and if in doubt about it being too bright, it probably is, so you may want to get some red plastic sheeting to further dim it down.
I do not want to run around all night playing star party policeman, neither does Gabe Dickens or anyone else, so read the rules, ask questions if you have any and let's have a good time!
Barry Simon
I am attaching this link to Rules for the Okie-Tex Star Party which covers the same topic and pretty much is in agreement with what our rules are. The purpose for doing this is to illustrate that star party rules, be it the Deep South Star Gaze, Okie-Tex, the Texas Star Party or virtually anything else are all pretty much the same.
www.okie-tex.com/party_etiquette.php
Several key things which are vital for all to read, heed and remember is -
1) No green, red, or other color lasers at night if clear. This is a dark sky event, this is not a public outreach event. Know this because some may have a green laser set up on their telescope as a finder. We cannot allow that, please substitute an optical finder or a red dot finder (which is not a laser).
2) All vehicle lights, interior and exterior must be disabled. Review how to do this at home. You will feel and hear the "Wrath of Khan" and probably several others if you either forget or ignore this rule.
3) Flashlights have to have red bulbs or be red shielded. If still too bright your friendly neighborhood star party official will help you "fix it".
4) Likewise anyone using a computer, laptop, iPad or cell phone on the field has to have it red shielded. Turning the brightness way down is still way to bright, Shielding it on 3 sides is still way to bright because your face has an albedo rating just like the surface of the Moon and you will look like the Man in the Moon if your computer screen is illuminating your face. Many computers have a red light setting and that (may) be enough, but maybe not. Check it out in your backyard and if in doubt about it being too bright, it probably is, so you may want to get some red plastic sheeting to further dim it down.
I do not want to run around all night playing star party policeman, neither does Gabe Dickens or anyone else, so read the rules, ask questions if you have any and let's have a good time!
Barry Simon
put a towel (or other opaque cloth) over the box that can be draped over the opening when you're not using your laptop. 
Headlamps in particular can be really blinding (even when they're not bright) since they're directly at eye level. They're handy (and I have one), but please be aware.
