Rules & Regulations

The purpose of the OREGON STAR PARTY is to provide amateur Astronomers with a star party where OBSERVING is THE reason for being there. Skies in Central Oregon are among the best in the United States for darkness and transparency. All astronomers are welcome regardless of the number of years of experience. In return we ask a few courtesies that will help ensure that all who attend have a positive experience.

Lighting Considerations
To take the fullest advantage of our excellent skies and to protect our eyes’ dark adaptation, we allow no white light after dark on site. Please bring red light flashlights for all party members; in fact, it is not a bad idea to bring an extra one or two.

Please be careful to point flashlights only at the ground, so as not to give someone a direct shot in the eyes. Remember, those doing Astro-imaging are extremely sensitive to any stray light. Astro-imaging areas will be marked and you should be extra careful with your light in those areas. Restrictions in the “after sunset arrivals” area will be the least restrictive.

If you will be using a computer on the field for any purpose, monitors must be fully shielded so they are not a distraction to participants on the observing field.

RV’s and trailers need to be careful about which direction their doors point regardless of location. Please park so they open away from the observing areas and cover interior lights with red cellophane. Since some of these lights are still rather bright, it is a good idea to cover all windows with something that blocks out all light after dark. If you have any questions about light pollution concerns, please ask an Oregon Star Party Committee member for their advice.

After Hours Entry is prohibited - There is an area as you enter OSP between the trees and the Registration Tent which is available for those arriving after 8pm at night. Please do not drive into the main camping and viewing area after 8pm at night. BE AWARE THAT THERE WILL BE OCCASIONAL HEADLIGHTS IN THE LATE ARRIVAL AREA AS LATECOMERS ARRIVE AND PARK.

Minimize Your Impact
Please leave your campsite as close as possible to the way it was when you arrived there. Do not cut trees or vegetation.

Open Fire and Flame Policy
NO OPEN FIRES are allowed anywhere on-site! Propane barbecues, and propane or white gas stoves only are permitted by the Forest Service. Please, no charcoal briquettes!

Smoking permitted only in a vehicle or on the graveled roadway and smoking materials to be disposed of only in a fireproof container or inside your vehicle’s ashtray. If you can not abide by this, you will be asked to leave the OSP. Even in years when the forest fire danger is relatively low, fires can easily be started and the lives of others endangered.

Pack all garbage out to dumpster
When you leave, please make sure your area is free of all litter. You may use the dumpster at the east end of the 800 road next to shower truck.

Be a good neighbor
Music should be played at low levels to not disturb others. If in doubt, ask those close to you. (This also applies to general camping etiquette.)

Activities go on all night
Many attendees will be observing from dusk until dawn. If you camp near the main telescope field please expect that observers will be up talking, and possibly playing music at low levels until dawn.

Quiet hours
Please keep noise levels down until 10:30 am to allow your fellow observers time to sleep. If anyone in your party plans on being up early and making any appreciable noise, please camp away from others. In addition, if you plan on observing until the sun comes up, please be considerate of those who may go to bed early, and observe similar quiet hours after 3:00 am.

Pet policy
Pets are allowed at OSP as long as they do not cause any threat to others or interfere with quiet hours. Pets must be on a leash and under owner control when outside at all times. Pets cannot be left unattended outside, even when on a leash. Pet owners are responsible for the behavior and actions of their pets at all times.  Pet owners must pick up after their pet in all locations at OSP.

Laser Pointers
The increased popularity of high powered green laser pointers has prompted OSP to initiate a policy regarding them. Concerns regarding their usage has surfaced in several areas from attendees. They could affect someone’s view through the eyepiece, photograph, or images. Given these concerns, the OSP has instituted a total ban on the nighttime outdoor use of laser pointers (other than used for collimating a telescope). The only exception being official OSP use during the Sky Identification and the Limiting Magnitude programs. And that use is subject to cautious guidelines, be held at a known location (gravel loop on 802 road), and last no later than 9:30 p.m. which is approximately the end of astronomical twilight.

We Thank you in advance for your cooperation
We have established these guidelines to minimize the potential for disagreements that could ruin your vacation.

Violators may be asked to leave by the OSP Committee!