Frequently Asked Questions 

FAQ 16: STAR PARTY PLANNING CHECKLIST

This checklist by Jeff Barton of the Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas is from his "Star Geezer’s Guide to Planning & Hosting Star Parties."  He regularly presents First Saturday Star Parties in his home town of Garland, TX. You can contact him via e-mail: jeff@chipdata.com We hope this checklist will encourage you to establish your own regular public observing opportunities and help make your next event more successful.

Using public parks:

• Check out the lighting
• Be Safe!
• Check Parks Dept. for curfews, watering schedules

Using State Parks:

• Consider drive time
• Wild animals can be a problem
• What are closing hours?
• Are camping permits required?

• Avoid Conflicts with Local Club Activities!
• Avoid Weekday nights if you want school kids to attend
• Pick the same "day" each month (e.g., First Saturday)
• Pick dates of known celestial events:
  • This is harder to coordinate (hard to remember)
  • This can discourage regular attendance
  • Great for things like Meteor Shower peaks and Eclipses

Your first stop is with your Local Astronomy Club:

• Club members in your area should be willing to help
• Talk with your neighbors, your kids’ teachers
• Notify the police in advance of any night-time outdoor activity that might be viewed by neighbors as unusual

• Use bulletin boards at local schools, golf clubs, churches
• Use newsletters: Scout troops, clubs, homeowner’s associations, recreation centers, retirement homes
• Use Local Club's: Public Observing Calendar, Web Site Events Calendar
• Use sign-in sheet to collect email addresses so you can notify frequent attendees in advance

• Signs, like realtor’s signs
• Magnetic signs for your car or truck
• Flyers for local bulletin boards
• Invitations to send by email (include a map and Mapsco grid numbers

ADOPT A SCHOOL OR CLUB

• Public schools don’t have the funds for equipment
• Teachers need help & expertise
• Scouting groups need guides
• PTAs need "programs"

What facilities does your site offer?

• Water, Restrooms, Sufficient/Close Parking
• Shelter from wind
• Electricity

• Bottled water, ice, and/or cups in warm weather
• Cocoa, tea, or coffee in cold weather (for helpers!)
• Trash bag(s)
• Chairs, tarps, blankets
• Tools (Allen wrenches, crescent wrench, pliers, screwdrivers)
• Spare batteries
• Insect repellent and/or area fogger
• First Aid kit for pinched fingers, cuts, insect bites, scrapes

For objects that are prominent on your observing date and Review or Learn:

• Mythology of at least one constellation
• Mythology of one planet
• Story behind the naming of a lunar feature
• Interesting fact about distance, size, luminosity of Deep Sky Objects

The Moon is usually an observer’s first scope target. Sure, it blots out DSOs if too bright, but that’s only a problem about 10 days a month.

• Bring a Lunar map or software
• Familiarize yourself with the night’s phase and features

• How far away is it? How big is it?
• How did it form? How long ago?
• Where did the Apollo astronauts land?
• Can we see the lunar landers or rovers? Why not?

• A zoom eyepiece
• Projection screen
• An electronic eyepiece and monitor or laptop