General Guidelines
All of the land at the Chiefland Astronomy Village, including the main observing field, is private property. Please treat it as if it were your own, and leave it as you found it. The main observing field is open every month during the new moon weekend to our CAV Members and their guests.
New Member Information
Dear New Chiefland Member
Thanks for joining the group. I hope you realize that Chiefland is more of an observing site than a regular astronomy club. We have no officers, directors, or committees. We do not mail out a regular newsletter, but do post new messages on the web site from time to time under the club newsletter section. If you have something you would like to post, send send it in by joining the Yahoo Chiefland group.
Normally campers/observers are here from last quarter until a few days after new moon. The published observing dates bring out the most fellow observers, and indeed most every new moon observing weekend is like a small star party. We look forward to seeing you here.
The club field is open for your use just about anytime around new moon. Be forewarned that those of us who live here have normal lives, and we do not live in full dark-out mode except during the published observing times.
You do not have to email or call to let us know that you are coming. If you do have questions feel free to ask, but be patient in awaiting a reply. Many of the property owners are snowbirds and travel a great deal during the summer season.
Chiefland is one of the finest dark sky observing facilities around and we want to keep it that way by respecting every one else's needs and requirements. Just about anything you need to know is listed on our web site, posted in our clubhouse, or listed below. We do ask that you follow our dark-out rules at all times. If you have any doubts about what will be expected of you, see the article on observing etiquette below. Since many astrophotographers use the site, we always keep their needs in mind. We have enjoyed the finest facility of its kind for 20 years, and we will keep it that way.
Once again, welcome to the group, and we look forward to getting to know you and spending many wonderful nights under the stars together.
Tom Clark (club site manager)
Jeannie Clark (treasure)
Observing Etiquette
Most amateur astronomers live in increasingly light-polluted environments and don't have the opportunity to observe from pristine dark sky locations nearly as much as they would like. Perhaps that is one of the reasons why attending dark-sky events has become so popular in recent years. Where else can you disregard your normal routine, stay up all night, poke your eyes into the far reaches of the Universe, and then sleep till noon, day after day? This is just a small part the magic star parties hold.
New star parties are popping up all over the country, while the long established events have grown to gigantic proportions. This is good! Having a few days or a week to enjoy our favorite hobby, while sharing the daytime hours with kindred souls is an experience that is hard to match.
At any star party you will meet all types of people. Many have been mainly armchair observers who are taking their first trip into dark skies. In order to fit in.... and to keep from seeming to be completely unenlightened to the more experienced astronomers, there are a few simple things that you need to learn. Etiquette is not something that we are born knowing - it is something that has to be learned. Here are a few tips that will help you make many new friends at your next Star Party, and to keep everyone from pointing at you and saying, "My God! Who is that Geek?"
Come prepared!
No matter what temperature you hear it will be, prepare for weather that is at least 20 degrees colder. Make and use a check list to see that you don't leave home without something you need, such as your eyepiece case, or red flashlight. If you bring a telescope, set up a
small tool box containing extra batteries, lights, etc. If you want to make friends, avoid having to always borrow things. Bring a cooleror thermos, and something for a late night snack. Even better, bring along some goodies to share with your friends around you. If you are not familiar with the observing site, arrive early enough so that you don't have to arrive after dark, not knowing where you are going, and disrupt everyone with your headlights.
Lights
No white lights after sundown if there are other observers in the area. Allow yourself to become dark-adapted and see all that you can see. If you are on dangerous terrain and need a bright red light, for heavens sake, keep it pointed straight down! Don't walk around waving
it in everyone's face, because if you shine it in the eyes of the wrong person, they may tell you where to stick it. If you have to open your car door or trunk after sundown, be kind enough to remove the fuse beforehand. It only takes a second. If you want to become unpopular quickly, just be the one who is always ruining his companions dark adaption by opening his car doors or trunk every few minutes and splashing bright light all over everyone.
If you have to leave the party early in an auto, park where your lights will not bother those who are still observing, and so that you will not have to use your headlights or backup lights when you leave. They are so bright and are painful to those who are fully dark adapted.
You can move the shift lever to neutral before starting your engine, and the backup lights won't come on. If a bright light can't beavoided, just yell "LIGHTS IN THREE SECONDS" first, to give everyone time to turn the other way. You will be somewhat appreciated for your thoughtfulness! If your have one of the new cars that have "daytime running lights" that come on as soon as you turn the key on, there IS a way that is easy to turn them off temporarily. Simply lift the emergency brake one click, and now you can turn thekey without the lights coming on. After you drive a couple of hundred yards away from the observing group, remember to turn the emergency brake off, so you don't cause undo damage to the brake system.
Rules?
Read the star party information that is handed out to you when you register. There will be a simple list of rules. FOLLOW THEM!! If they say "No moving of cars after sunset", then don't move your car after sunset.
If you are registered in a local motel instead of camping on the grounds, then you must make arrangements before hand to be able leave when you wish. At most star parties this means parking outside the gates, or far enough away so you will be able to leave when you wish, without shining bright lights all over those who are still observing and ruining their night vision. Almost all the problems that pop up come from people who never read the star party literature, or those who believe that the rules only pertain to others. If you would rather not follow the rules... then go observing on your own, where your method of operation will not bother anyone else.
Star Parties are the perfect place to learn more about observing, more about telescopes, and more about all the other accessories that go with the hobby. If you are considering purchasing a particular model, or building your own telescope, there is no better place to learn all the latest news, or to see the latest designs, and to get first hand advice from other amateurs who have experience with the item you are thinking about. Walking around the observing field during the day will show you almost everything imaginable. With the owners permission, you may be able to try that new item you have been considering, or to see if that new telescope design is as good as it looks on paper.
However, remember to be considerate! Don't move in on someone without an invitation. Everyone loves to show off their equipment once in awhile, but they also have their own little group of friends that they are observing with. Unless you are lucky enough to be asked to join them for the entire evening, don't impose. Use common sense and keep your visit to a reasonable length of time.
Bring your telescope!
Some amateurs have the idea that they can look through their own telescope any time they wish at home, so when they go to a star party they don't even take their telescope with them, thinking, "I'll spend my time looking through everyone else's telescope." What if everyone
on the observing field thought the same thing. Not fair! Unless you are flying to the star party, there is no excuse for not bringing your own telescope - if you have one. Even if you only have a small telescope, it is only fair to every one else to bring it with you, and not just go to look through the largest telescopes. You may have a model that someone else would like to see. Don't expect everyone else to do all the work, so you can be entertained. You should do your share of entertaining too!
Dobsonians
Learn how to operate a Dobsonian before you have to embarrass yourself by yelling down from the top of a ladder, "It's moving out of the field!" It's not polite to loose the object being viewed with 25 people standing in line behind you. These large telescopes are so easy to use that you can learn how with just a couple of minutes preparation ahead of time, so don't waste everyone's time by waiting until you are at the eyepiece and then ask what to do. Take the time to learn earlier in the day, as a courtesy to everyone else.
Big Scopes
The largest telescopes on the field are not necessarily public property. It is probable that their owners have their own observing programs to carry out. If you would like to look through one, and everyone does, ask first. If possible, ask ahead of time if the scope will be open for public observing during the star party. Find out when, and go during the proper time.
Piggy
Don't become an eyepiece hog on someone else's telescope. Of course you should never simply take a two second look at an interesting object, and when you are at your own telescope you should learn to study each object - to train your eye to see all that it can see. But when you are at someone else's telescope, don't get carried away and spend hours hogging their observing time. Keep your visit short, and then move on to the next scope on the field.
Smokers
Smokers need to be especially considerate of non-smokers. Since you are outside on the observing field, the smoke itself is not usually a problem. The problem is lighting up. The normally insignificant glow of a lighter or match is a killer to the dark-adapted eyes of
your friends. Be careful to turn away, and cup your hands around the flash, so the flare of your match won't ruin anyone's eyes but your own. Also keep in mind that eventually someone will have to pick up every cigarette and cigar butt you throw on the ground, so please
use an ashtray, or collect your butts before you leave.
Music
Music is a great relaxation to many. To some, it just isn't possible to observe without the proper mood setting musical accompaniment. Many love to scope out the heavens while listening to heavy-metal rock at 110 decibels. Others may enjoy an eight hour Elvis session. Great! Enjoy yourself! Turn it up! Play it as loud as you like it.... just wear earphones. The battle of the bands does not belong on the observing field. Many appreciate the new "space music" at a low volume, to set the mood. But if anyone complains...back to the earphones.
Be Helpful
Share your knowledge. A star party is a place for learning, and a place for teaching. If you see a novice struggling to locate an object in his telescope, ask if you can be of assistance. Chances are he will appreciate it. Every once in a while take a break and walk around the observing field. You will see both some amazing and some comical sights. Enjoy yourself, and help others to enjoy themselves!
Quiet Mornings
Loud talking or other noise before noon is out of place, and rude to those observers who don't retire till dawn. On the other hand, loud talking on the observing field at 4 AM is rude to early risers who may be leaving on a day trip at dawn. Perhaps families with small children, and other early risers, could place their camp in an area where they won't be disturbed by astronomers talking all night, or disturb astronomers who are trying to sleep late the next morning.
Trash
Trash belongs in the trash can, not around your site. You would be amazed at how many people think nothing of leaving it lay till "tomorrow", but by morning it has blown over to someone else's space. If you finish a drink while visiting someone else's area, don't leave your trash for them to clean up after you.