Drive Slowly Enough said!

White Light White flashlights, lanterns, interior camper and vehicle lights or any other form of white light is not allowed from dusk till dawn on the observing field. All flashlights must be equipped with red filters or red bulbs. All lighting restrictions will be lifted in case of an emergency or due to threatening weather conditions.

White light ruins the dark adaptation that your eyes develop after about 20 minutes in the dark.  You will need this dark adaptation to see faint deep sky objects.  When a white light is used after dark anywhere in the vicinity of the observing field it takes up to 30 minutes for everyone to regain their night vision.  Once you eyes adapt to the darkness, you will be able to find your way around and avoid obstructions without needing to use a flashlight.

No Flash Photography The bright strobe of a camera flash can destroy everyone's night vision for 45 minutes to an hour.  Take all the “natural” light photos you wish.

Quiet Hours Please maintain quiet and restrict noisy activities in the campground until 10 am in consideration of those who observed from dusk till dawn.

Smoking and Campfires Smoke damages telescope optics by settling on the optics and ruining the coatings. Be courteous, don’t smoke around telescopes. Be sure to extinguish your cigarettes completely and dispose of the cigarette butts in the cans provided around the pavilion. Do not drop butts on the ground.

Aerosol Sprays Aerosol Sprays, including insect repellent, can permanently damage telescope optics. Do not apply insect repellent spray or use any other aerosol spray on the observing field.  We encourage the use of lotions or roll-ons.

No Food or Drink near telescopes Sticky hands, sloshing drinks and expensive optics do not mix.

No Spitting or Glass Containers Many times astronomers must be on their hands and knees around the telescope. Nobody wants to encounter someone’s spit or broken glass.

Music Play your music as loud as you want as long as you have your headphones on. If anyone else can hear it, it’s too loud.

Green Lasers The responsible use of green lasers is permitted. Please be respectful of your fellow astronomers when using them.

Ask Before Touching Do not touch a telescope unless the owner has given you permission.  Some astronomers may be adjusting their equipment or doing delicate astrophotography, or the telescope may not be aimed at any object in particular, so please ask before touching or moving a telescope or other equipment.  Never touch the optical glass of a telescope or eyepiece.  The oils on your skin can ruin the coatings.

Children are the future of amateur astronomy and we encourage parents to bring them along. Parents, please keep an eye on your children. There are literally thousands upon thousands of dollars in equipment on the observing field. Children should not touch equipment without the owners permission.

Pets must be on a leash or contained at all times, and must not be a nuisance to other observers. Cleanup after you pet is required.

Have Fun! There are friends to be made and thousands of beautiful things to see. We hope you enjoy your time at the Western Nebraska Star Gaze.