5 replies to this topic

[cloudyeverynight]

Curious if any around here might be going to this…

 

The South Jersey Astronomy Club is hosting a star party at Belleplain State Forest NJ this weekend starting this Thursday 10/24.

I’m not a member because the club is way too far away from my home but I’m planning on going. This would be my first one. Looks like the weather for the first 2 night will be outstanding with a waning moon. Here’s a link if anyone is interested. 
 

http://www.sjac.us/star-party/

[Couder]

You probably already know, but star parties are great for seeing a variety of scopes, each with an owner (hopefully) eager to share the scope and their knowledge about it.

[PIEJr]

Hope you have a great time and meet a lot of nice folks.

 

Who knows, it might make you a lover of Star Party's.

 

If I were you, I wouldn't bother with my equipment.

But maybe take some notes with you about your questions or problems you might be having.

 

HAVE FUN! 

[dcbrown73]

Have fun!  I go to the Connecticut Star Party (CSP) every year.  Our club also attends Stellafane up in Vermont and Cherry Springs in PA every year.

[havasman]

If I were you, I wouldn't bother with my equipment.

 

"Star Parties are designed to give you, the amateur astronomer a place to setup your equipment and share the experience of observing with fellow astronomers. SJAC does not setup telescopes for the general public."  - quoted from the web link for the South Jersey Astronomy Club star party that's the subject of this forum string

 

If you show up without a scope, you are the general public.

 

Star Party has become a meaningless term. Some think it a place to go look through others' gear. And sometimes it is. Others think it an opportunity to retire to a dark place and observe with their gear. They too are often right. Hence the devaluation of the term.

 

So it should probably be incumbent on anyone intending to attend to know beforehand what they should expect from the experience.

 

And it should be taken as SOP here to expect the advise offered to be uninformed at its core. Because it's just so difficult to read the web link before pontificating.

Edited by havasman, 22 October 2024 - 12:55 AM.

[cloudyeverynight]

My only expectation is to set up my gear, meet some nice folks, seek and share knowledge with like minded folks and try to have fun. Looking forward to being under darker skies than I’m used to.