Okie-Tex Star Party Etiquette
Thank you for observing the following courtesies during the party:
Gate Closings/Lighting Restrictions
Dark out period will begin Sunday night and continue each night through Saturday night. At 9:00 PM each evening, the gate will be closed and lighting restrictions will begin. This is for the safety of star party participants and to prevent unwanted light in the observing area.
No vehicles will be permitted to travel into or out of the star party site after the gate is closed except in emergency situations.
No one will be allowed to travel within the star party site after the lighting restrictions begin. So if you plan to leave during the night, please park outside the gate before it closes and face your vehicle away from the observing field! The gate will be reopened at sunrise each morning.
All light emitting devices must be turned off when lighting restrictions begin. The only exceptions to this rule will be red-filtered lights and during inclement weather or emergencies. Emergencies may require the use of white light and whenever possible, a warning should be given to avoid interference with astrophotography or observing.
If you are using a personal computer on the observing field for the operation of your telescope or CCD the screen must be red-filtered. If your RV is near the observing field please cover the windows with dark material.
Please disable, and/or put car remotes in safe places so that flashing vehicle lights are not accidently turned on.
Electricity Use
The following guidelines for electricity use are in effect for the duration of the star party:
Only telescope drive equipment, anti-dew gear, drive correctors, personal computers necessary to the operation of telescopes or CCD equipment, and 25-watt or less red light bulbs may be connected to Okie-Tex power outlets.
Personal computers not attached to telescopes or CCD’s or used for astronomical image processing and appliances such as hot plates, coffee pots, fans, heaters and refrigerators are NOT to be connected to field electrical supplies. If you use generators to re-charge mobile battery packs please refrain from running the generators from dark out until dawn.
Generator Use
Generators will be allowed to run during the daytime hours only. The only exception will be for medical purposes (permission will be required in these circumstances). Anyone with a generator will be asked to camp in the north field and store your generator out of site. We don't want to have the noise distraction from these running all of the time.
Music
Everyone has their favorite observing music that contributes to the star party experience but please respect your fellow observers! Music that can be heard across the observing field will not be allowed. If your neighbor doesn’t like your taste in music then turn it down a few decibels or plug in some headphones. A good rule of thumb would be: If your music can be heard more than 10 feet away it’s probably too loud!
Pets
Pets must be on a leash at all times. If your pet is aggressive or prone to barking please leave it at home. Pets are not allowed in the vendor building, chow hall, bathrooms, showers, bunk houses or meeting rooms. Pets will not be allowed on the observing field while lighting restrictions are in effect. You may walk your pet during daylight hours but please clean up after it!
Tents, Camping Trailers And Canopies
If you are camping please do not set up your tent or camping trailer on the observing field or in traffic ways. This includes canopies, pavilions and similar structures designed to provide shade. Please make sure that your tent is firmly staked down and the guy lines do not extend into the observing area for the safety of other star party participants. Please respect your neighbor’s view of the horizon.
RV hookups are not provided at the Okie-Tex Star Party site at this time. RV's and camping trailers are NOT to be powered by star party electricity outlets. Black Mesa State Park (approx. 5 miles from the site) provides full RV hookups if you require them.
Internet use
Okie-Tex provides wireless internet service for most of the observing fields and dining hall free of charge. There are also hook-ups for laptops in the Dining hall. This is a shared DSL connection, please do not use it to transmit large files. Due to a wide number of variables, connection to the internet is not guaranteed. This is an unsecured network! There is no encryption, anti-virus protection or firewall on this network! Please make sure your computer is adequately protected prior to connecting with both a firewall and anti-virus software. The Okie-Tex Star Party is in no way responsible for any damage or loss of data for any cause resulting from your connection to this network. Your use of this network indicates that you understand and agree with this condition.
