What Do You Bring to Star Parties

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Date: 11 Aug 2006 17:32:22
From: John Nichols
Subject: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

Let's go beyond the obvious and the general, which I'd think would be your
scope, a star chart, and a chair.

When you attend a star party, what do you bring? Does it depend on which
party you're attending, i.e. distance you have to travel?

Does what you bring vary? Why?

How is what you bring to a star party different from what you bring to a
dark sky site that isn't the location that night for a star party?

Date: 12 Aug 2006 01:24:20
From: Florian
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

I generally observe by myself. So the rare times i go to a star party =
it's more to visit and look at other people's equipment. I have my 10x42 =
binoculars around my neck a red LED light in pocket. That's about it. =
Maybe an ice chest and a sandwich in my truck but i don't carry those =
around the telescope field. ;-)

-Florian

Date: 11 Aug 2006 17:51:15
From: RMOLLISE
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

darkness.lumpy@gmail.com wrote:
> That is quite a list. But I bet Rod drives a Tardis in order take all
> that and still look like an astro-ascetic.
>

Believe it or not...every bit of this stuff can and will fit in a
Toyota Camry. I have had a few years experience packing for star
parties, of course. ;-)

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of:
Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
and
The Urban Astronomer's Guide
<http://skywatch.brainiac.com/astroland >
The Annual SCT User Imaging Contest is Underway!
<http://www.rothritter.com/contest/2006/ >

Date: 11 Aug 2006 16:43:37
From: darkness.lumpy@gmail.com
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

John Steinberg wrote:

> And that's just a partial list of the standard equipment that comes
> with the new 2007 Chaos Manor South Winnebago. 39' 8" feet of pure
> mobile astronomy satisfaction! See one at your local Winnie dealer
> today!

That is quite a list. But I bet Rod drives a Tardis in order take all
that and still look like an astro-ascetic.

We have some poeple that show up at the big star parties with all their
possessions. Never know when you're going to need a channel changer.
Look at how creative those nut jobs in England got with lotion and
ipods.

I like traveling as light as possible. An 18" scope is enough of a
load. I figure, if I get desperate for Mentos and Coke, civilization
is never really that far away (like, a day or two at most).

I was joking about taking extra underwear. ;-)

Date: 12 Aug 2006 07:56:52
From: John Steinberg
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

darkness.lumpy wrote:

> I like traveling as light as possible. An 18" scope is enough of a
> load. I figure, if I get desperate for Mentos and Coke, civilization
> is never really that far away (like, a day or two at most).

My thoughts: If you're schlepping an 18" scope to star party, the rest
of the attendees should provide for all of your other needs.

BTW, Coke and Mentos? Always on the cutting, Lumpy.

http://www.gofish.com/userVideoPlayer.gfp?gfid=30-1037452

> I was joking about taking extra underwear. ;-)

Like we didn't know this.

--
-John Steinberg
email: not@thistime.invalid

Date: 11 Aug 2006 22:58:35
From: SkySea
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

The difference between a dark-sky camping trip and a(n overnight) star
party are the other people.

So the extra stuff I bring are things that I can hand out to other
folks. I print up extra star charts, planet finders (Uranus on out),
and usually bring an extra copy of "The Stars" by H. A. Rey. there's
almost always one group of awestruck newcomers that ask, "How do I
start, what books..." etc. If they seem serious about starting up,
I'll give them a book and advise them to get some decent binoculars,
tripod mount, and a tripod, and to learn the constellations.

They can work out telescopes when they know more and are able to make
descisions on their own. In the meantime, they've spent very little
money, and the equipment can be used for other great views, too.

> "John Nichols" <bejay@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
>Let's go beyond the obvious and the general, which I'd think would be your
>scope, a star chart, and a chair.
>
>When you attend a star party, what do you bring? Does it depend on which
>party you're attending, i.e. distance you have to travel?
>
>Does what you bring vary? Why?
>
>How is what you bring to a star party different from what you bring to a
>dark sky site that isn't the location that night for a star party?

=============
- Dale Gombert (SkySea at aol.com)
122.38W, 47.58N, W. Seattle, WA
http://flavorj.com/~skysea

Date: 11 Aug 2006 15:32:53
From: darkness.lumpy@gmail.com
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

Linux Utilisateur wrote:

> Water is okay. Eating food at night --- bad idea.

I'm puzzled by that. Care to explain?

Date: 11 Aug 2006 13:55:48
From: Starlord
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

Well, the last star party I was at was over on Oahu in Hawaii and along with
the normal things such as telescope, etc. I'd take me at lest 10 coils of
skidder coils, of which I would set up in a 4 pointed area around my scope
and light'm up so they would smoke all night. Kept me from getting bit!

Other than that, food and coffee was a must have too.

--
The Lone Sidewalk Astronomer of Rosamond

Telescope Buyers FAQ
http://home.inreach.com/starlord
Sidewalk Astronomy
www.sidewalkastronomy.info
Astronomy Net Online Gift Shop
http://www.cafepress.com/astronomy_net
In Garden Online Gift Shop
http://www.cafepress.com/ingarden
Blast Off Online Gift Shop
http://www.cafepress.com/starlords
Astro Blog
http://starlord.bloggerteam.com/

"John Nichols" <bejay@worldnet.att.net > wrote in message
news:Ga3Dg.592754$Fs1.312066@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> Let's go beyond the obvious and the general, which I'd think would be your
> scope, a star chart, and a chair.
>
> When you attend a star party, what do you bring? Does it depend on which
> party you're attending, i.e. distance you have to travel?
>
> Does what you bring vary? Why?
>
> How is what you bring to a star party different from what you bring to a
> dark sky site that isn't the location that night for a star party?
>

Date: 11 Aug 2006 17:33:23
From: St. John Smythe
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

Starlord wrote:
> Well, the last star party I was at was over on Oahu in Hawaii and along with
> the normal things such as telescope, etc. I'd take me at lest 10 coils of
> skidder coils, of which I would set up in a 4 pointed area around my scope
> and light'm up so they would smoke all night. Kept me from getting bit!

As long as we're accused of being tools of satan, we might as well place
them at the points of a pentagram (and provide a bit of extra coverage).

--
St. John
It gets late early out there.
-Yogi Berra

Date: 11 Aug 2006 12:38:02
From: Linux Utilisateur
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

darkness.lumpy@gmail.com wrote:

> More food, more water, and fresh underwear.
>
> In that order.

Water is okay. Eating food at night --- bad idea.

Date: 11 Aug 2006 12:13:20
From: RMOLLISE
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

John Nichols wrote:
> Let's go beyond the obvious and the general, which I'd think would be your
> scope, a star chart, and a chair.
>
> When you attend a star party, what do you bring? Does it depend on which
> party you're attending, i.e. distance you have to travel?
>
> Does what you bring vary? Why?
>
> How is what you bring to a star party different from what you bring to a
> dark sky site that isn't the location that night for a star party?

Hi:

Glad you asked...the Fall Star Party Season will be here before we know
it. ;-)

When I'm going to be at a star party over several days, as opposed to a
single evening at a club dark site, I bring the following in addition
to the usual stuff (scope, mount, eyepieces, dewshield, DewBuster,
laptop, cameras, battery, red flashlight, star atlas, etc.).

--Desert storm type cover for the scope and line/tent stakes to stake
down the tripod (I've seen all too many scopes crash to the ground
after a sudden windgust, even East of the Mississip).

--Dining canopy (an EZ Up to be precise). If these are allowed on the
field, they are a godsend. Even in fairly northern climes the sun can
get brutal, even in the fall.

--Tent. I tend to eschew tents as I get older. But I will still sleep
in one if there are no accomodations onsite or nearby (my idea of
roughing it is now the Holiday Inn Express in Chiefland, FL ;-)). If a
tent it must be, err on the side of "too big" rather than "too small."
You'll be much happier. I'd say "choose one that's easy to erect," but
luckily most tents are pretty easy to set up now.

--Sleeping bags. Even if there are cabins and bunks onsite, I bring a
sleeping bag. Much easier than messing with sheets and blankets. Make
sure the bag you bring is suited for the temperature conditions you
will face. And don't forget pillows for your poor noggin. ;-)

--Ice chest and plenty of bottled water (and whatever other beverages
you may require ;-)). Always have plenty of water available, and don't
forget to drink some occasionally while observing. If you get
dehydrated, you WILL get tired. For that reason and others, save the
moonshine for dawn. ;-)

--Binoculars. I rarely use 'em on a club dark site evening, but I
always wind up using them at a star party. Usually a pair of nice Canon
10x30s for Dorothy and some humble Burgess 15x70s for me.

--Emergency eyepieces. I squirrel away a few OK oculars in the scope
case just in case I ever forget the eyepiece case (is that too many
"cases"?). Forget your eyepiece bos and you'll be at the mercy of a
vendor and will be glad to get a Kellner for fifty bucks. ;-)

--Plenty of ice (unless it's available onsite).

--Snacks for latenight use. I favor jerky and chocolate these days.
Take a break at mid evening, eat a little, drink a cup of coffee, and
stretch your legs with a ramble around the field. Do this every hour or
two and you'll be surprised how easy it is to keep goin' till dawn.

--Disposable cups.

--Trash bags.

--A tool set, to include small allen wrenches.

--Tie wraps.

--Bungie cords.

--A plastic tarp or two. These always come in handy, and I like to set
the scope up on a tarp. If I drop wee little things in the night they
do not become lost in the grass. Bring some landscaping nails to stake
down your tarp on the ground (tent stakes will stick up above the
ground and you will be tripping over them _all night long_.

--Rope/line (remember what Sam Gamgee's ol' Gaffer said. ;-)).

--Coleman stove and coffee maker. Even if meals are available onsite or
close at hand offsite, I bring a modern electrically lighted two-burner
Coleman. If nothing else, one of the Coleman Mr. Coffee style makers
that fits over the stove means you can make a thermos or two of fresh
coffee at sundown (unless you can shield it, you might not want to fire
up the Coleman after dark...the burners put out a surprising amount of
light).

--Camp/lawn chairs. I now favor the folding canvas chairs that go in
bags. I do bring one lawn-style chaise lounge, as both my wife,
Dorothy, and I like to use that with binocs.

--Entertainment stuff (for use when it's cloudy or during the day).
Books/magazines, etc. I also usually bring some DVDs that can be played
on the laptop.

--I usually bring a CD player/MP3 player to listen to while observing.
Sometimes I use it; sometimes I don't. I don't usually listen to music
early in the evening--I prefer to talk to my fellow observers, or just
listen to the ambient field sounds. Late in the evening as the
observin' field thins out, however, listening to CDs seems to help me
keep goin'.

--Batteries. Even if there is supposedly power on the field, I always
bring plenty of 12v batteries (I now favor deep cycle marine/trolling
motor batteries). Just in case, you want to be able to run your
PC/scope all night on battery. Also, replacment batteries for
flashlights, radios, etc.

--If you don't have a 12vdc cord for the laptop, pack a good inverter
(I have one of the Black and Deckers they sell at WallyWorld, and it
works well). Forget getting much time out of the laptop's onboard
battery, especially if you're using a USB camera that needs power from
the laptop!

--A _good_ battery charger.

--A long extension cord and a multi receptacle power strip or similar.

--If it's the end of the season, and I know I'll be staying in a drafty
cabin, I bring a small, safe space heater.

--If we're moving into November and I think it's gonna be chilly, I
bring some chemical handwarmer thingies in addition to coats, gloves,
etc.

--If it is likely to be cold, dress in layers. Pay particular attention
to your head and feet. Spreading a carpet square on the ground next to
your scope will keep your footsies insulated from the cold, cold ground
and will help a lot.

--Observing table. I usually use one of those folding camp tables, but
a card table can also work.

--Some kind of shield/enclosure for the laptop (to keep dew off and
further shield the screen (suitably red filtered) from other observers'
eyes).

Do I bring this much stuff all the time? No. If I'm flying in to speak
at a star party, I just bring myself and maybe a pair of binocs. For a
day or twoer, maybe half this much stuff. For a multi day affair (e.g.
the TSP), yes, all of it. ;-)

I will say that in recent times I've tended to reduce/minimize. A C8 on
a GEM instead of a larger/fork mount scope. Small, disposable styrofoam
ice chest, no stove coffee maker if there's decent coffee on site or a
Micky D's in range, etc., etc. You should have seen what some buddys of
mine and I took to the 1997 TSP (we rented the largest Ryder truck
available), only to be mostly rained out. ;-)

Peace,
Rod Mollise
Author of:
Choosing and Using a Schmidt Cassegrain Telescope
and
The Urban Astronomer's Guide
<http://skywatch.brainiac.com/astroland >
The Annual SCT User Imaging Contest is Underway!
<http://www.rothritter.com/contest/2006/ >

Date: 11 Aug 2006 19:26:51
From: John Steinberg
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

RMOLLIS wrote:
[...]

> Glad you asked...the Fall Star Party Season will be here before we know
> it. ;-)
>
> When I'm going to be at a star party over several days, as opposed to a
> single evening at a club dark site, I bring the following in addition
> to the usual stuff (scope, mount, eyepieces, dewshield, DewBuster,
> laptop, cameras, battery, red flashlight, star atlas, etc.).
>
> --Desert storm type cover
> --Dining canopy (
> --Tent.
> --Sleeping bags.
> --Ice chest and plenty of bottled water
> --Binoculars.
> --Emergency eyepieces.
> --Plenty of ice (unless it's available onsite).
> --Snacks for latenight use.
> --Disposable cups.
> --Trash bags.
> --A tool set, to include small allen wrenches.
> --Tie wraps.
> --Bungie cords.
> --A plastic tarp or two.
> --Rope/line
> --Coleman stove and coffee maker.
> --Camp/lawn chairs.
> --Entertainment stuff
> --I usually bring a CD player/MP3 player
> --Batteries.
> --12vdc cord for the laptop, pack a good inverter
> --A _good_ battery charger.
> --A long extension cord and a multi receptacle power strip or similar.
> --space heater.
> --chemical handwarmer thingies in addition to coats, gloves,
> --a carpet square
> --Observing table
> --Some kind of shield/enclosure for the laptop

And that's just a partial list of the standard equipment that comes
with the new 2007 Chaos Manor South Winnebago. 39' 8" feet of pure
mobile astronomy satisfaction! See one at your local Winnie dealer
today!

My club, The Naglerettes (which was an offshoot of our bowling club,
The Bowling Bags), has a charter member with a dark sky observing site
with complete facilities. Being a small but serious group, we pack
light and just raid his home for anything we might need.

Last star party, *someone* absconded with a Louis XV writing desk, but
field notes must be taken, people.

--
-John Steinberg
email: not@thistime.invalid

...And that, my liege, is how we know the Earth to be banana-shaped.
--Sir Bedevere

Date: 12 Aug 2006 09:12:24
From: Greg Crinklaw
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

Rod, obviously you must have been a Boy Scout. ;-)

--
Greg Crinklaw
Astronomical Software Developer
Cloudcroft, New Mexico, USA (33N, 106W, 2700m)

SkyTools: http://www.skyhound.com/cs.html
Observing: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/skyhound.html
Comets: http://www.skyhound.com/sh/comets.html

To reply take out your eye

Date: 11 Aug 2006 12:11:33
From: Mean Mr Mustard
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

John Nichols wrote:
> When you attend a star party, what do you bring?

The main objective is to be comfortable. Don't underestimate how wet
and cold it can get at a summer star party, which can mean long
underwear, winter coat and cap. Bring bug repellent.

> Does what you bring vary? Why?

Again the main objective is to be comfortable. Is the star party at a
location with rest rooms, will you have a camper, will you have a tent,
will there be a concessions stand. If you're roughing it, then I
suggest taking along food and beverages that will be easy on your
stomach ... you'll want to avoid a port-a-potty as much as possible.

> How is what you bring to a star party different from what you bring to a
> dark sky site that isn't the location that night for a star party?

You have to be considerate of the other observers, so that means no
pets, no smoking, disconnecting the lights that come on when opening
your car door ... etc.

Date: 11 Aug 2006 13:56:14
From: Joe S.
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

"John Nichols" <bejay@worldnet.att.net > wrote in message
news:Ga3Dg.592754$Fs1.312066@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> Let's go beyond the obvious and the general, which I'd think would be your
> scope, a star chart, and a chair.
>
> When you attend a star party, what do you bring? Does it depend on which
> party you're attending, i.e. distance you have to travel?
>
> Does what you bring vary? Why?
>
> How is what you bring to a star party different from what you bring to a
> dark sky site that isn't the location that night for a star party?
>

Laptop with power supply that plugs into car 12 VDC outlet.
GPS receiver
Compass
Bug spray
Warm clothes
Cell phone
Roll of toilet paper

Date: 11 Aug 2006 19:42:50
From: Len Philpot
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 13:56:14 -0400, Joe S. wrote:

> "John Nichols" <bejay@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
> news:Ga3Dg.592754$Fs1.312066@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
>> Let's go beyond the obvious and the general, which I'd think would be your
>> scope, a star chart, and a chair.
>>
>> When you attend a star party, what do you bring? Does it depend on which
>> party you're attending, i.e. distance you have to travel?
>>
>> Does what you bring vary? Why?

> Roll of toilet paper

Absolutely. Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me! :-)

In addition to that and all my typical observing equipment (as you
mention) :
* Canopy
* Tarps
* Extra 2x4 foot table
* Extra lawn chair(s)
* Midnight snacks that are "pocketable"
* Long extension cords
* Laptop and dew/light-protection box
* 12VDC battery
* Any medications (OTC or prescription) I think I /might/ even need
* FRS/GMRS radios, possibly
* 11' square of Astro Turf, if it's going to be dusty
* One of my guitars, possibly
* One more towel than I think I'll need
* Jeweler's screwdriver just in case my glasses fall apart
(This hasn't happened, but if it did it might crimp things a bit)
* Extra batteries for lights, radios, etc.
* Wool socks, insulated suit, a couple of hats (if cold)
* Tent stakes, duct tape, hammer, bungee cords, etc.
* Automotive battery charger
* Any for-sale items
* Small folding camp stool
* Cloth carrying "tote" bag for hauling books around in the daytime
between the observing field and lodging (if needed)

...plus who knows what else. It all depends on where and when I'm going.

--

---- Len Philpot -------- l e n @ p h i l p o t . o r g (no spaces)
------- ><> ------------- http://members.cox.net/lenphilpot/

Date: 11 Aug 2006 11:06:35
From: darkness.lumpy@gmail.com
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

John Nichols wrote:

> How is what you bring to a star party different from what you bring to a
> dark sky site that isn't the location that night for a star party?

I'm not sure I follow that question, but the only difference between
what I bring to a star party, which I take to mean like Texas Star
Party, Shingletown Star Party, Oregon Star Party, and going out to a
dark site for the night... other than the obvious....

More food, more water, and fresh underwear.

In that order.

Date: 11 Aug 2006 17:58:19
From: Chris L Peterson
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

On Fri, 11 Aug 2006 17:32:22 GMT, "John Nichols"
<bejay@worldnet.att.net > wrote:

>Let's go beyond the obvious and the general, which I'd think would be your
>scope, a star chart, and a chair.

Let's adjust the obvious. I don't bring a scope, because my best stuff
is permanently mounted and I have no reason to bring smaller stuff. I
take a chart, a chair, a pair of binoculars, and myself.

A star party is an opportunity for me to be a visual astronomer,
something I don't often do, and for that I want to take advantage of the
largest apertures- and there are always a few really good, big scopes.

_________________________________________________

Chris L Peterson
Cloudbait Observatory
http://www.cloudbait.com

Date: 12 Aug 2006 08:52:50
From: darkness.lumpy@gmail.com
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

Havriliak@aol.com wrote:
> resondent said "Don't bring your good optics to the Texas Star Party".
> I couldent see traveling 2500 miles without my good stuff so I brought
> it with me.

<snip >

> Never again to the TSP. Nearly every night the viewing was excellet but at what cost.

This was my experience at RTMC, and at OSP. I enjoyed both events, but
the dust, especially at RTMC, was awful. I ended up with a respiratory
infection after my last RTMC, took me a month to stop coughing, and I'm
usually healthy as a horse.

We had some complaints over the years at the Shingletown Star Party
about dust. Being on volcanic soil, you may be able to understand what
we were dealing with. Having an airport runway to set up our
equipement on helped, but camping and driving in the dirt on the sides
of the runway caused clouds of dust, as did afternoon breezes. We
contracted to have straw spread and a water truck wet it twice a day.
The truck seemed to cause more dust than the watering kept down, and
the costs got out of control. Then a member of our organizing
committee got us in touch with a hydroseeding company, that suggesting
using at soil binder, appropriate for our group called a "TAC-ifier".
We used it in 2006. It was much less expensive than straw and water
trucks. We also received permission to drive on the runway this year.
The combination of soil binder and driving primarily on the runway (we
still pulled off the runway onto the dirt to park and camp) made SSP
2006 essentially dust free.

The only problem we had this year was heat. Next year I'm brining a
mist system to hook up around my EZ-Up. As it was this year, we had to
drive up the road to the snow, or go to the swimmin hole (imagine the
water temps, with snow up the road) to cool down.

Date: 12 Aug 2006 12:52:47
From: Len Philpot
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

On 12 Aug 2006 08:52:50 -0700, darkness.lumpy@gmail.com wrote:

> Havriliak@aol.com wrote:
>> resondent said "Don't bring your good optics to the Texas Star Party".
>> I couldent see traveling 2500 miles without my good stuff so I brought
>> it with me.
>
> <snip>
>
>> Never again to the TSP. Nearly every night the viewing was excellet but at what cost.
>
> This was my experience at RTMC, and at OSP. I enjoyed both events, but
> the dust, especially at RTMC, was awful. I ended up with a respiratory
> infection after my last RTMC, took me a month to stop coughing, and I'm
> usually healthy as a horse.

The reactions to the dust at TSP have always been interesting to me. Of
course, everyone has their own criteria for attending star parties, as
well as what they will and won't endure and health issues are a real
concern for those so affected. That's natural. However, I've never
thought there was a /major/ problem with dust at TSP since the mid to
late '90s. 1995 was the worst year for dust (and it _was_ bad that year,
best I can recall) since I started attending in 1989. The years since
2000 have been very reasonable IMO. Talking to the locals, the area
started coming out of about a 9-year drought in 2000 or so. We saw green
grass, water that persisted all week in the creek beds and even dew a
morning or two. One year, I found myself wishing for /less/ moisture!

I've seen times where (as described elsethread) the water suppression
truck caused as much or more dust than it suppressed. One year, some
kind of binder was put in the water and it really improved its
performance. I saw the truck driving down the center of the main field
one day a couple of years back, spraying so much water each way that
people were rushing to cover their scopes lest they get a free shower.

I see the dryness and dust as only one side of the coin. I've always
lived in a very damp, lush and mostly blowing-dust free environment,
with predictably mediocre skies to match. Sure, there's dust at TSP (at
least to a degree), but there's also clear, dry and transparent skies.
My equipment typically picks up a west Texas patina each year, but I've
yet to have it damaged (although I certainly don't claim it can't
happen, particularly in terms of precision mechanics).

In fact, living in the rain forest of Louisiana the other 51 weeks of
the year, I revel in the dryness of west Texas during TSP. To each his
own, but IMO the dust is a small price to pay. :-)
--

---- Len Philpot -------- l e n @ p h i l p o t . o r g (no spaces)
------- ><> ------------- http://members.cox.net/lenphilpot/

Date: 12 Aug 2006 10:19:31
From: Mij Adyaw
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

Myself, a pair of 9.5x44 binoculars, a chair, a starchart and food and
coffee. I don't bring my own telescopes because I don't want to worry about
theft or idiots knocking over the equipment. RTMC is also too dusty and
therefore I just go around and use everyone else's telescope. It is really
the best way to go. No worries about theft or equipment damage.

Date: 12 Aug 2006 05:53:29
From:
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

I agree with all of the above but then again I have a 27ft RV so I can
pack eveything. I asked a similar question several years ago and one
resondent said "Don't bring your good optics to the Texas Star Party".
I couldent see traveling 2500 miles without my good stuff so I brought
it with me. I used a Desert Storm cover bunjied around the middle. My
12 " SCT was capped on both ends. A sand storm came up and the next
morning I uncovered the scope and the scope was covered with a fine
dust like talcum powder. That wasen't too bad until I looked through
the corrector plate. The entire inside the SCT was covered with dust,
i.e. inside the corrector plate as well as the secondary mirror. How
it got inside all that protection I don't know. But I do understand
the reccomendation about not bringing my good stuff. Cost me $250 to
have it restored by Meade. Never again to the TSP. Nearly every night
the viewing was excellet but at what cost.
Willie R. Meghar wrote:
> By star party I assume you're referring to a dark sky, amateur
> observing event lasting more than one night. (For one night events I
> tend to bring little more than the astronomical essentials --
> telescope, tripod and eyepieces.)
>
> >Does what you bring vary?
>
> Only in minor ways, such as the specifics involving food and drink for
> events lasting a few days and nights.
>
> >How is what you bring to a star party different from what you bring to a
> >dark sky site that isn't the location that night for a star party?
>
> My primary dark sky site is my yard. I can easily come inside for
> anything needed that's not already outside.
>
> For a "star party" (camping out for a few days and nights -- with
> other amateurs) I've printed a check-list of all items I usually take.
> This list is two and a half pages long and includes the following
> major categories:
>
> clothing
> tent and related items
> other camping items
> miscellaneous hardware items
> vehicle safety check list
> money (based on fuel costs, etc.)
> food and drink
> astronomical equipment
>
> The list itself is one of the most important items. It makes it
> difficult to forget to pack anything.
>
> The list evolves over time. If I find that an item rarely gets used
> (and isn't for emergencies) it gets dropped from the list. If I find
> myself wishing I had brought something that I didn't bring, it gets
> added to the list. After a few star parties the list ends up finely
> tuned.
>
> Willie R. Meghar

Date: 12 Aug 2006 00:18:17
From: Willie R. Meghar
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

By star party I assume you're referring to a dark sky, amateur
observing event lasting more than one night. (For one night events I
tend to bring little more than the astronomical essentials --
telescope, tripod and eyepieces.)

>Does what you bring vary?

Only in minor ways, such as the specifics involving food and drink for
events lasting a few days and nights.

>How is what you bring to a star party different from what you bring to a
>dark sky site that isn't the location that night for a star party?

My primary dark sky site is my yard. I can easily come inside for
anything needed that's not already outside.

For a "star party" (camping out for a few days and nights -- with
other amateurs) I've printed a check-list of all items I usually take.
This list is two and a half pages long and includes the following
major categories:

clothing
tent and related items
other camping items
miscellaneous hardware items
vehicle safety check list
money (based on fuel costs, etc.)
food and drink
astronomical equipment

The list itself is one of the most important items. It makes it
difficult to forget to pack anything.

The list evolves over time. If I find that an item rarely gets used
(and isn't for emergencies) it gets dropped from the list. If I find
myself wishing I had brought something that I didn't bring, it gets
added to the list. After a few star parties the list ends up finely
tuned.

Willie R. Meghar

Date: 12 Aug 2006 12:49:39
From: oriel36
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

Date: 12 Aug 2006 12:33:50
From: oriel36
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

Date: 12 Aug 2006 17:48:19
From: MT
Subject: Re: What Do You Bring to Star Parties

"John Nichols" <bejay@worldnet.att.net > wrote in message
news:Ga3Dg.592754$Fs1.312066@bgtnsc05-news.ops.worldnet.att.net...
> Let's go beyond the obvious and the general, which I'd think would be your
> scope, a star chart, and a chair.
>
> When you attend a star party, what do you bring? Does it depend on which
> party you're attending, i.e. distance you have to travel?
>
> Does what you bring vary? Why?
>
> How is what you bring to a star party different from what you bring to a
> dark sky site that isn't the location that night for a star party?

Case of wine
ounce of home grown
girl or two (if possible)
a telescope
cooler full of secrets