Your First Star Party

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Members Only Star Parties are not organized events, although sometimes on these nights AAS presents Fast Track classes, Observatory Work Days, and telescope training. The primary purpose of these evenings is to offer our members a quiet night of uninterrupted observing under dark skies.

What to bring:

Here is a partial checklist that I use for star parties:

Warm, layered clothing (winter)

Long sleeved shirt, bug repellent (summer)

Hiking shoes, any time of year. The field has lots of sticker burrs. Don’t wear sandals.

Hat and sunglasses. If the sky cover is good for observing, there will be abundant sunshine before dark

Folding chair and a good book, if you like to arrive early.

Laptop or tablet with power cord. The observing tables all have 110v power, and there is a WIFI connection. Password: austinastro1969.

Cellphone. Reception can be sketchy, though.

Snacks. It’s a long drive out and back, and you may spend hours on the field

Beverages. It is claimed that the water faucet near the NW corner of the observatory is potable. I don’t believe it, and sometimes it is turned off.

Red flashlight

White flashlight, if you’re like me and tend to drop your car keys on the ground.

Telescope (haha, don’t want to forget that!). Also any tools that you might need for your scope.

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It will be a little darker, and a little colder than you expect, so dress accordingly. These are Texas state parks. On the field don’t be surprised to see harvester ants, fireants, wasps, spiders, scorpions, and even the snake.  In general, the more people around the field, the less you see animals of any sort.

AAS members are never charged a fee to visit the observing fields so long as they are participating in a public start party in an outreach volunteer capacity. At other times, members and the public are subject to the state park day use fee. Such fees can be dismissed with possession of a current Texas state park pass. It grants the individual, and all those riding in the same vehicle, free access to the park for day use purposes.

 

Getting there:

The observing field at Inks Lake State Park is at Central Park located inside Inks Lake State Park, west of Burnet, Texas, and along the east shore of Inks Lake. The driving time from Austin is approximately 1.5 hours. Drive to Burnet, then starting at the intersection of Highways 29 and 281 in Burnet go west on Highway 29 for about 8 miles. Turn left on to Park Road 4 W/State Park Road 4 and stay on State Park Road 4 for 3.4 miles. Turn right into Inks Lake Park State Headquarters and proceed 100 feet past the Headquarters and turn right and then another immediate right. Go 4/10 of a mile and turn left on the west side of Central Park.

 

 

The Star Theater is located inside Pedernales Falls State Park, west of Dripping Springs, Texas, and east of Johnson City. The driving time from Austin is approximately 1 hour. Starting from the intersection of MoPac Loop 1 and US Highway 290 in Austin go west on Highway 290 for 24.3 miles. Turn right on to Ranch Road 3232 N and stay on Ranch Road 3232 N for 6.4 miles. Make a quick right on Pedernales Falls Road and turn left immediately onto Park Rd 6026. Proceed 2.5 miles to the Park Headquarters and from Park Headquarter continue for 1.5 miles turning left at the road to the bird blind. Follow the road to the right and then again to the left and you will emerge onto the equestrian and Star Theater parking area. The Star Theater will be beyond the gated fence and to the north west about 150 feet.

 

 

 

The people:

My experience of attending star parties has always been pleasant and relaxed. People who want to concentrate on their observing and maximizing the dark skies tend to use the tables in the UFO landing area. Those who want to interact, and who may need to leave early, are nearer to the entrances and parking areas. AAS members tend to like talking about their telescopes and observing setups, so this is a great opportunity to learn more. New visitors are always welcome.

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