Jump to content

Banner.jpg.b89429c566825f6ab32bcafbada449c9.jpg

Time for a rethink on star parties


PorkyB

Recommended Posts

This year I planned a total of nine nights at start parties: SGL, PSP and a club event.  In those nine nights I managed a total of four hours of observing time, a pretty rubbish percentage.  By comparison this week I have already managed a six hour night under perfect skies and the forecast is good for an all-nighter tomorrow.  This suggests that a better use of my limited resources of spare time and spare cash would be to prepare to get out when the conditions are good and not to plan to attend star parties.

Now this is a shame because I have met some great people, both at SGL and PSP.  There is something very enjoyable about the shared experience of a large group of people coming together to do the same thing.  Plus the talks, buy and sell, hogroasts, etc.

So is it possible to combine the sponteneity of getting organised when the weather is favourable with the benefits of an organised star party?

I realise this would be a nightmare for the organisers of events and would be no use to those people who have to book out their time in advance, but for some people the idea of having a star party where the date will only be fixed based on the weather forcast might be workable.

Does anyone think a "flexible" star party might work, or am I just being mad?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Out of the 8 that I've been to, 7 have been washouts. However I've always learnt and hopefully shared so much and caught up with great folk and met new ones. These should be very social events, sharing experience and advice.

This is where PSP has excelled , providing alternative attractions.

As far as poor weather goes,

I think that the autumn star parties are held too late and the spring ones are held too early. It's not easy with sites being busy at school holiday times and fitting in a time near the new Moon. April is generally a lovely month.

If you can make a reasonable effort to attend , it''ll ensure that the enthusiasm continues . It's frustrating and difficult on resources, but hey ! That's astronomy,

Nick.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

In theory your idea makes total sense PorkyB, the chances of a planned event having clear skies are pretty slim. However the organisation is just much too hefty to leave to such short notice.

As someone else has suggested, last minute trips with a local group should be quite manageable though, and this is something I plan to try to kick off with my group.

I normally getting best viewing of the year whilst camping on summer holiday. This year I think I had 6 clear nights out if seven.

I shall continue to attend PSP and SGL largely for the social aspect of meeting my 'virtual' friends and making new ones. If it's clear that's a bonus, but I will probably bring less kit. I already bring solar kit to maximise the chances of seeing something although even that was foiled this year!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have to say that of my 6 trips to Kielder only 1 has been totally clouded out. The others have all been worth while for one reason or another - always seeing something that I wouldn't normally see. I do enjoy the camping and chatting to people too.

Having said that, I think it would be good to have local (say no more than an hour away) meet ups under dark skies organised last minute. I guess it's a matter of finding the right site. I wanted to go to one of the Wolves and Black Country meets when they were occurring but was always working or had arranged to go out etc.

If it could work then it would be great.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

So is it possible to combine the sponteneity of getting organised when the weather is favourable with the benefits of an organised star party?

Not with the idea of "a large group of people coming together to do the same thing.  Plus the talks, buy and sell, hogroasts, etc."

For a spontaneous get together you need a site that has car parking, toilets and reasonable ground - flat, dry, solid.

Someone can aways turn up with a generator to provide coffee. tea, soup etc.

There are places that fit, I can think of 2 maybe 3 that satisfy within not too many miles of where I am.

It would be good if a club set one up but opened it to non-members - most will not consider it, and also would likely not allow someone who is not a member organise one at their observing ground.

I suppose the start point would be at a friendly nature reserve, or similar, where the basic requirements may be present.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I found that at the star party I went to - Kelling last October, it wasn't just about the star gazing - which was great when it was clear, but it was meeting people and sitting around till late in a circle having a laugh. I did a few minutes at Kelling, but it was worth every penny, even if camping wasn't necessarily for me!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've never been to a star party :embarassed: And apart from a trip to Asturias about 3 years ago, I've never met anyone with the slightest interest in astronomy :icon_neutral: I've sat at a Christmas table with two doctors, a biologist and chemist (my g/f's sisters and brother in law) and been looked at as if I'm some weird freak :fucyc: when the conversation turned to something or other and I mentioned that all those elements originate in supernovae explosions :help:

I say this for although I find find my own company the most enjoyable  :icon_biggrin:, from time to time it must be nice to meet like minded folk regardless of the weather. Someone just on the same kind of wavelength and to have a little natter over some wine, olives and good views. Maybe that kind of thing is a rare event, and like Schopenhauer said, at the end of the day, we're all "hedgehogs who try to come close to others in order to share experiences but ultimately must remain apart as we cannot avoid hurting one another with our sharp spines."

I feel the Star Party - organised or not - can help break down the Hedgehog's Dilemma, and if only once in a while, ground a mutual relationship between fellow men and women based on human intimacy, goodwill, support and encouragement. If some faint fuzzies, some imaging, a planet or two are also witnessed, then for a weekend, what more could be asked for?

Sorry about the ramble :rolleyes2:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I can empathise with you Qualia. I am a frequent visitor to Tenerife but the enjoyment of the almost guaranteed clear nights is significantly diluted by not having anyone to share it with. By contrast, the camaraderie of Kelling Heath with just a fair chance of some observing is very fullfilling. Although I am fortunate to be able to do both, if I had to make a choice it would be Kelling.  :smiley:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Oh heck, I can't get the vision of an 'Astro-Rave' party out of my head, with hoards of marauding amateur Astronomers all responding to a text message to meet up at the top of Blackstone Edge. ;)

I had a couple of sessions here over the Summer, but it was just with all my own limited kit and a call to a couple of folk who had expressed an interest. Highly enjoyable, BBQ fired up and much conviviality, but it would have been nicer if I too could have learnt something.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with many of the points above. PSP for instance could not happen at short notice, not because it is particularly complex to arrange but because the economics mean the site would need to be booked well in advance and at least 50 or so pitches sold.

It would be lovely Astro Socs would take this on but it would need a very dedicated person to coordinate it.

I think the best bet would be to find a group of local like-minded people and communicate on Twitter or similar to arrange informal sessions.

My 2p - hope it is worth something or at least gives some background to how star parties (PSP at least) work.

James.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Crikeys, poor Hedgehogs!

But it is much the same for me. I have never been to a star party and don't know anyone interested aside from contacts I have made on SGL. I have met Ken(Merlin66) when we were in Brussels but we have both moved on since then.

I'm quite alright with my own company though, in fact I would be a little embarrassed at a star party because I would rightly or wrongly feel out of my depth amongst others who know what they are doing.

The other thing is when you are abroad and if you are not comfortable with the language it is hard to fit in to a local society and the closest one for expats here caters mainly to retired people seeing as their meetings are at 3pm on a wedensday afternoon.

Spain has great weather for parties though, you would rarely be disappointed. SGL should organise a second party on the continent. :wink:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it just comes down to setting your own expectations, which is so important in this game anyway. Star parties aside, if you expect to have a medium/high number of observing/imaging sessions over a longer period then you're going to be disappointed in the UK. This is much more apparent when the time is condensed into a star camp/party weekend. I'm heading off to Kielder Starcamp today. My expectations are that I'll have a break in a beautiful place with my mate, a laugh and catch up with like-minded people, a few beers, enjoy the lectures and *maybe* enjoy the dark skies. I'm not pinning all my hopes on the last one, especially based on this weekend's forecast! But, obviously, the skies there are a big attraction when clear. Whatever happens, I always look forward to Kielder and always have a great time, whatever the weather. The fantastic organisation always has to be done well in advance, around the new moon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

May be they should be known as 'An Astronomers Get Together' and BTW bring a scope if you wish.

It must be a right turn off to organise a star party, then have people pay for it with bookings, look forward to it for ages then have the great British weather ruin it. I feel sorry for all of you. I am bad enough when I can't get out for a couple of nights even if the seeing is not best.

Alan 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For those for whom it's a relatively easy trip (perhaps not many, in reality) I have offered this that might serve the purpose for impromptu meetings:

http://stargazerslounge.com/topic/228042-an-invitation-to-tauntonwellington-area-stargazers/

Once I get the obsy sorted perhaps I'll put an all-sky camera online so people can have a quick check to see what it's like before leaving.  I'm happy for people to turn up when they like as long as I know it will be happening.  I don't know of anyone closer than ten miles or so who is interested in astronomy though, which seems ridiculous given where we live.

James

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I might add that the Astronomy Centre is open every Saturday night from 7.30pm for any visitors that can make it. There is no need to book, just turn up, this means it's possible to make a decision at short notice. We can offer 2X 16" SCT's, 17" Dobsonian, 50x300 reflecting binoscope and a 8.5" refractor. Our 30" Dobsonian should also be back in action in a few weeks. "Come on down"!  :smiley:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Sadly I can't offer an astronomy centre :)  Probably upset the natives that would, having new-fangled tellingscope things pointing at the sky at all times of the night.  Puts the cows off producing milk or something, I imagine :D

James

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have had snow at a starparty.... Observing is good, chatting to people is good... The last one I went to we had drifting thin cloud and so decided to do some "light painting" with green lasers for good measure.... No one was imaging and we made some really impressive art.

Each to their own.

PEterW

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I might add that the Astronomy Centre is open every Saturday night from 7.30pm for any visitors that can make it. There is no need to book, just turn up, this means it's possible to make a decision at short notice. We can offer 2X 16" SCT's, 17" Dobsonian, 50x300 reflecting binoscope and a 8.5" refractor. Our 30" Dobsonian should also be back in action in a few weeks. "Come on down"!  :smiley:

Good point - most observatories have open dome nights. Two near me:

Keele University has a 31cm frac (can't remember exactly what) and I think are open every Tuesday 8 - 10pm, not far from J15 on the M6. Details here: http://www.astro.keele.ac.uk/Observatory/visits.html

Nottingham Trent Uni have a calendar of open dome events here: http://www.ntu.ac.uk/apps/events/9/search.aspx/keywords?keywords=Open%20Dome&categoryid=2&page=1&tab=UPCOMING

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I observe with a small group, Bristol Irregulars :smiley:, twice a year and to try and have a clear night we pick two consecutive weekends. As we approach the first date I keep an eye on the weather forecast and two days before give a Go/ No Go, there is no guarantee the second date will be any better but it works surprisingly well with usually one usable night per event. ( Fri or Sat night)

To achieve this with a star party the organisers would have to book consecutive weekends, pay for both but only use one. Folks attending would have to accept paying double for space ? and be prepared to switch between the two dates at a few days notice. ?

:smiley:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Interesting thread I have had much the same thoughts myself as I do love communal observing. My local club (Orwell Astronomy Soc) has observing and imaging sessions at their dark sky site every week. This is a village hall with an attached dark playing field. Works very well and is popular. However I no longer attend because I find lugging my equipment around in the back if my car is too difficult to plan. I now find Electronically Assisted Observing from my home more convenient. Although it's not communal observing as such, with EAO I can observe from my house and share the results of my observations with everyone on SGL afterwards or next day on the Video Astronomy Forum. Many people also share their EAO sessions live on Night Skies Network - a kind of on-line star party! I still prefer face to face if possible though but it rarely happens.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just come back from Kielder, weather as usual was rubbish, company as usual was brilliant, big thanks to Lynn and Kev for the organisation and to Fay for trying to impart some photo editing techniques into my skull, this lesson may continue at the next star party. As highlighted earlier like minded people getting together is tops.

Dave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use.