When you attend the Kelling Heath star party, consider these few simple steps to help everyone enjoy the event.
Come Prepared
The site is within a mile of the sea so make sure you dress warmly and if coming alone, make a thermos of tea and bring some snacks for sharing :)
Lights
Flashlights - Remember to bring a red light if you plan on wandering around the site and arrive before dark so you can familiarise yourself with the site.
Car- If it is clear and you arrive after dark, consider parking your car in the main car park and walk to the observing field. This way, your lights will not affect those people out observing.
If your car is parked on the field, try to remove fuses or cover with tape the lights that may come on; for example, interior lights or indicators when locking/unlocking your car.
Smokers- Please be careful when lighting up. Shielding the lighter flame is best; it’s amazing how bright lighter flames are and this will ruin dark adaption of those around you.
Toilet blocks- The lights inside are left on but the windows and lights outside are screened, so not to light up the sky.
Noise - Everyones taste in music is different so please don't play loud music. Try to keep the noise/music down after midnight and before noon the next day. As people up to the early hours observing may still be sleeping.
Misc
Rubbish- The site is of scientific interest so please use the bins provided near the toilet blocks.
Laser pointers- These are discouraged from use on the observing fields. Due to the amount of people in attendance, they present a danger and risk of causing blindness through careless use. They may even interfere with ‘astro-imagers’ nearby.
Children- Are more than welcome to attend but need to be supervised at all times, to avoid damaging the expensive equipment setup on the field.
Computers - Please can these be shielded from those trying to observe. Try placing a box around the screen so as to minimise the light finding its way to other observers. It’s amazing how bright a computer screen is at night and it can seriously hamper visual observers’ enjoyment of the event.
Enjoy
The reason for star parties is for like minded people to get together, socialise, share knowledge and enjoy the night sky from a dark, hopefully cloud free site.
By considering these simple guidelines, everyone can enjoy the beauty of the north Norfolk night sky.
