Onan Observatory
Visiting a MAS Star
Party
NOTE: Unlike Onan Observatory
public events, MAS star parties are fair-weather only events! MAS star parties are
canceled or rescheduled if weather is not favorable. Friday
night dates are pushed back 24 hours to Saturday night and if Saturday's
weather is poor, the star party is canceled and not rescheduled.
Always call the MAS information
line (952-467-2426) after 6:00 p.m. on the day a star party is scheduled to
determine its status.
On nights when an Onan Observatory event coincides
with an MAS star party at Baylor, the observatory event take place regardless of
weather, with a program substituting for telescope viewing if
necessary.
[NOTE: It is always possible, though not likely, even when a star party is announced
as 'on' for an evening, that no MAS members may show up for the event.]
Please
review the "Visitor Guidelines"
section if you plan on attending a star party (particularly the
sections on "Headlights" and "Flashlights"). By following its simple
guidelines, you'll enjoy your visit much more and earn the gratitude of others in attendance!
What to Expect at an MAS Star Party
MAS star parties are more informal and unstructured, compared to an observatory
public event (see 'Visiting the Observatory'
for details).
Most star party participants
arrive right at sunset or shortly thereafter. Participants usually set up their
telescopes in the grassy area
east of observatory, toward the lake. The number of members and telescopes at
any given star party varies from a handful to 20 or more. (The observatory
may or may not be open during a star party.)
Once the star party is underway, visitors are welcome to approach individual members and address questions to
them.
Please be patient -- star party participants may be involved in a specific observing or photography project. If
you sense hesitancy or distraction from the member, don't take it
personally! You might be better served
by taking your question "down the line" to another, possibly less-busy
participant.
These star parties usually continue until
well after midnight, if the weather cooperates, and end when the last MAS member
leaves the park for the evening
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