The North Texas Skywatch Star Party
Published on Nov 10, 2007 at 12:45 am.
2 Comments.
Filed under amateur astronomy, observing.
For those of you who live anywhere in the North Texas area, mark you calendars for Saturday, November 17, 2007. That is the date of the 11th Annual North Texas Skywatch Star Party. The event will be held at Lake Mineral Wells State Park, near Mineral Wells Texas (west of Fort Worth). They’ve got contact information and maps on their web site.
For those of you who don’t know, a star party is when a group of people get together, set up telescopes, and look at the sky. Some star parties are really big things geared primarily for serious amateur astronomers. Others are aimed primarily at the public, with astronomers simply sharing the sky with non-astronomers. This one is somewhere in between. Frequently, a number of serious amateur astronomers show up with the intent of doing some serious observing or taking photos. However, a major part of the event is aimed at the non-astronomer public, with speakers and constellation identification lessons, etc. The serious amateur astronomers know that most of the people are there just to look through telescopes, so they are happy to let anyone come look at the cool things that they point the scopes at. But, most of the non-astronomer public gets tired and goes to bed, leaving the serious guys alone to work until dawn. Others people come just to set up their telescopes to show off the sky to the public. And, a fair number of people who are brand new to astronomy come and bring their telescopes hoping to get seasoned veterans to help them learn the hobby. And, of course, there are hundreds of people who just show up to look through telescopes at cool things in the sky.
The event is held at the trail head part of the park. There is a large parking area there where we set up telescopes. If you bring a telescope, let them know when you arrive so that they can tell you where to go. If you don’t bring a telescope, you’ll have to park a little farther away and walk. There is only so much room at the trail head. Besides, headlights going through there while people are trying to observe and work doesn’t work. We try to keep it dark right where the telescopes will be set up. Of course, if you need light to see where you are going, try to bring a red filtered flash light. The red light will let you see without ruining the dark adaption of everyone around you.
The event starts just before sunset. There will be speakers from just before sunset to an hour or so afterwards. Then, there will be telescopes set up until everyone gets tired and goes home, or the sun comes up. Normal park admission is $5, but there is no further charge for the star party. There will be representatives there from several area colleges and universities. The event is cosponsored by the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife, Tarleton State University, and Tarrant County College. I’ll be there.
Naturally, if it is raining, then don’t expect anything to happen. If it is merely cloudy, I’ll still be there, and some of the speakers will be there. But, hope for clear skies! Oh, and dress WARM. It gets cold out away from the city, particularly at night.
This is a very nice one night star party. It is more than the typical pubic event, and everyone generally has a great time (barring bad weather). Lake Mineral Wells State Park is not as dark as many purists would like, but it is not bad for a place so close to a major metropolitan area, and the park officials are very supportive of astronomy. So, if you are in the area, then plan to come if you can. And, be sure to tell others about the event, too.
-Astroprof
Stu Savory on November 11, 2007 at 6:28 am: 1
I’d like you to follow up on this after its over.
Tell us the distribution of mount types (dobsonian, etc.) and of apertures (4,5,8,10,12 16,22 usw) and eye vs.camera users please.
Astroprof’s Page » The North Texas Skywatch Star Party (wrapup) on November 19, 2007 at 12:49 am: 2
[…] Well, the star party went well. We did not have quite as many people bring scopes out as we have had in some past years, but the turnout was quite good. About sunset, I did a quick count of telescopes, and there were about 25 of various types. But, a number more showed up just after I counted. I was too busy at that point to keep tabs on them, though. However, the Moon was almost first quarter, and it did not set until some 7 hours past sunset, so that kept some people away who didn’t want to wait so late for the Moon to set to give dark skies. Also, some of the weather forecasts were calling for rain and clouds overnight. That didn’t happen, though it may have kept at bay some of the people who would have driven a long way to get to the star party. There was some rain to the south, and some clouds did roll in around midnight. I was tired, and I had too much to do this weekend, so I had gone home by then. This semester has been a really rough one, and I have been swamped with work. […]