You may not realize it, but there may be opportunities in your area to enjoy the sights of the sky with knowledgeable amateur astronomers who love to have people look through their telescopes.
In the astronomy jargon, a star party is a small or large gathering of people interested in looking at stars, planets, clusters, galaxies and other interesting objects. There are many variations on the general theme of star parties. Some are held away from cities to enjoy the darker skies. Others are held in built-up areas, so that people can see some beautiful sights without having to travel. Some are held at observatories, some in parks, some are informal gatherings at private homes.
A common element of all star parties is a chance to meet people who are excited about exploring the universe. There will be an opportunity to look through a variety of telescopes. One can go from scope to scope, see different objects, and hear explanations. Later in the event, the crowds are smaller and attention shifts to more unusual or difficult objects. This is a great time to make requests.
How to find the nearest star party? The best way is to find an astronomy club in your area. If the club doesn’t conduct star parties, they should know how to find one. Here is a link to a directory of astronomy clubs:
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-clubs-organizations/
Having found an event, there are a few courtesies which help everyone have a good time:
After dark, use only a small flashlight with a red filter when walking. This preserves everyone’s night vision.
Ask the owner before using a telescope, and be careful not to push the telescope while looking through it.
Bring your children, but don’t let them run around.
In the Northern half of the world, we are experiencing cooler weather as winter approaches. Compared to summer, fall is a great time for star-gazing, because sunset is earlier, and the skies tend to have less haze. So, why not find some people who can help you to enjoy the night sky?
Real Simple Astronomy 
Leave a comment