{"id":47275,"date":"2023-07-05T12:54:49","date_gmt":"2023-07-05T12:54:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/?p=34051"},"modified":"2023-07-05T13:32:33","modified_gmt":"2023-07-05T13:32:33","slug":"star-parties-a-guide-to-attending-an-astronomy-event","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/star-parties-a-guide-to-attending-an-astronomy-event\/","title":{"rendered":"Star parties: a guide to attending an astronomy event"},"content":{"rendered":"

Star parties are a great way to meet fellow astronomers under truly dark skies. <\/p>

By Jamie Carter\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 05 July 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Have you ever been to a star party?<\/p>\n

There are lots of star parties in the UK and Ireland<\/a> that take place annually, and they are very popular among amateur astronomers<\/p>\n

Many astronomers spend the majority of their time alone, either studying the night sky or learning about it.<\/p>\n

However, there is one sure-fire way to learn more quickly and to get more out of astronomy, and that\u2019s to share the experience.<\/p>\n

Cue the star party, an annual (or more regular) observing event where like-minded people get together to share their interests and, very often, their eyepieces<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\""Not\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Not a scene from a 1970s Doctor Who episode, but covered telescopes at AstroCamp, awaiting the return of nightfall. Credit: Jamie Carter<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

Like astronomers, star parties come in all shapes and sizes and there is no hard-and-fast definition.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe term \u2018star party\u2019 is used generally for many types of astronomy events and gatherings,\u201d says Kevin Smith, who helps organise the Skellig Star Party<\/a> at the fabulous Dark Sky Reserve<\/a> in County Kerry, Ireland<\/a> every August.<\/p>\n

However, most have a purpose or theme and it\u2019s important to look up the event on the internet and social media to get a feel for what you are likely to experience before signing up.<\/p>\n

For example, local astronomy clubs often hold monthly stargazing sessions that are frequently called \u2018star parties\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n

Check your local amateur astronomy society<\/a> and see whether they host any such events<\/p>\n

At the other end of the spectrum, there are star parties that go on for days or even as long as a week in some of the darkest parts of the UK and Ireland.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even those events can vary, with some aimed at experienced amateur astronomers wanting to do some serious observing, and others more relaxed and focused on beginners<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\""How\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Summer Star Party in Saskatchewan, Canada, August 2019 Credit: Alan Dyer\/VWPics\/Universal Images Group via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

\u201cSome star parties have been running for years, so it\u2019s good to ask people who may have attended them before,\u201d says Smith.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cStar parties are an in-depth crash course in astronomy,\u201d says Ralph Wilkins, one of the organisers of AstroCamp<\/a>, the biannual star party in the Brecon Beacons.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can learn what\u2019s in the night sky, what to find and get help finding an object. Star parties stop people from failing with telescopes, but also you get to know new people.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s that idea of \u2018social astronomy\u2019 that inspired the creation of AstroCamp in the first place.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve got a common area where all the telescopes are set up, and anyone can come along and spend the evening just wandering around from telescope to telescope, asking questions,\u201d says Wilkins.<\/p>\n

\""Skellig\"<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>
Skellig Star Party is an annual astronomy event held in the southwest of Ireland, in one of the darkest regions in Europe. Credit: Dave Connolly<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

When do star parties happen?<\/h2>\n

Most star parties have their origin in local astronomy clubs holding an annual event to do some observing.<\/p>\n

Occasionally they may coincide with an astronomical event such as a meteor shower<\/a>, but often they\u2019re timed simply to take advantage of the dark skies around new Moon.<\/p>\n

There tend not to be many star parties in the middle of summer because there are fewer hours of darkness.<\/p>\n

With longer nights as well as seasonal views of the Milky Way<\/a>, spring and autumn are the most popular times for star parties.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a common misconception that you must have a telescope to attend a star party.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not so, says Smith: \u201cPeople should be encouraged to turn up without a telescope and made to feel welcome if they don\u2019t have one.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMost of our repeat attendees are people who turned up for the first time without a telescope or any astronomy knowledge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Star party dos and don\u2019ts<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Do<\/strong><\/h3>\n