A different kind of star party?

[The Warthog]

Has anyone ever held a party for moon and planetary observers, say, about the time of the first quarter? There must be enough lunatics about to get something going...

[Jamie]

Good thought WH.

That would mean that you wouldn't have to travel too far to a dark site.

[lunator]

I have been to a party where they did that.

The idea was that you Moon was little past 1st quarter so it could be observed in the earlier part of the evening and then the planets and the faint fuzzies could be looked at later.

It worked quite well as the less astro-minded people there enjoyed the Moon & planets whilst the astronuts enjoyed looking at the faint stuff.

It was pointless having the party on the new Moon as you can guarantee cloud

[The Warthog]

I like the idea. The moon's always a good target, for those who like that sort of thing.

[Astroman]

I've done a lot of these. Mostly for boy and girl scouts, youth groups and newbies. They're a lot of fun and the kids like them. They usually bring their parents and I get them hooked so they come back for a dark sky session, too. 8) Diabolical, no?

[OXO]

It's a great idea!

I had a mini star party sort of forced onto me once(Not complaining) after i setup a projector to a camera that was placed into the focus tube of an 8" NEWT. The projected image was projected onto my local shops the size of the image was really big and amusing hehe, well people started to gather round my front house and ask all manner of things about astronomy and such. Everyone enjoyed them selves as i pointed out the name's of features on the MOON using a stick to shadow on the image hehe. I have a few people that come round and ask to observe with me just from that event

James

[daz]

Astroman

You are most diabolical. Do you sell them overpriced hot-dogs and coke as well??

[Astroman]

Nope. They actually are required to feed me!

BWAAHAHAHA!

[The Warthog]

Sadly, this is true. When people come out to do stuff for us at our Cub and Scout camps, we often have to serve them what we're eating. We consider this our revenge if the session doesn't go well.

Weiners and beans, anyone? :x