Star Party Etiquette

• Don’t use white lights! Our eyes take 20-30 minutes to fully adapt to the dark. Looking at white light resets the clock. It will also inhibit your ability to see most detail through the eyepiece.
  • Red lights preserve your night vision.
  • Headlights, backup lights, and interior car lights ruin your night vision instantly.
  • Flashlights that are not covered in red cellophane or red tape are also detrimental to night vision.
• Cell phones will also ruin your “night eyes”. We encourage the use of planetarium apps, like Stellarium, to point up to the night sky. They can really help you learn the constellations. Be sure to select Night Mode in the app. Or, better yet, follow these steps to make your whole phone screen red.
• Please don’t touch the equipment without permission, but don’t be afraid to ask!
• Never touch an optical glass surface such as eyepieces, lenses, or mirror.
• Please watch your step.
  • Be careful of tripping hazards near our equipment such as cables and tripod legs.
  • Ask a nearby person with a red light if you need assistance seeing where you need to go.
• Dress warmly. Temperatures after dark in Colorado drop quickly, even in Summer. With no Sun to warm you, if feels colder. Wear warm shoes, a warm hat, and a jacket so that you can stay comfortable for the whole program.
• Please leave pets at home.
• No smoking, vaping, drinking of alcoholic beverages, or loud music please. Stargazing is a peaceful activity.