Small clusters of people are gathered around telescopes, quietly murmuring about the different anomalies that decorate the night sky. It’s hard to see your own hand in front of your face, and that’s the way they like it here. NO LIGHTS ALLOWED. What have you gotten yourself into? This is a Star Party.
Scientists estimate more than 80 percent of Americans haven’t seen the Milky Way, but Texas Parks & Wildlife Department is working to change that. By partnering with global and local organizations such as the award winning International Dark-Sky Association, it aims to give the public a better understanding of what’s happening in the sky. One popular method of spreading awareness is hosting Star Parties, a gathering of like-minded people with one crucial thing in common: they love looking up.
Park Ranger Sean Jones was sent to a night-sky training camp to learn how to better engage the public at his stargazing events. “We start by viewing the visible planets,” he says. “Then we move on to the Andromeda Galaxy, Orion Nebula, Beehive Cluster and Pleiades. Near the end, I’ll use my laser pointer to do a complete constellation tour.”
Doug Cochran, park superintendent at Enchanted Rock State Natural Area near Austin, describes additional measures to get the public involved. “Sometimes we have Moonlight Hikes so people can see all of the sky’s wonders,” he explains. “We even allowed the public to hike to the summit of Enchanted Rock during the Perseid meteor shower in August.”
Award-winning science journalist Deborah Byrd founded the Texas Star Party, or TSP, in 1979. TSP is a week-long astronomy festival, and the inspiration for smaller star parties around Texas. This year, TSP is May 21 through May 28 near Fort Davis. The agenda includes activities for all ages, including sightseeing and telescope making. These events, however don’t distract from the real attraction: the night sky and stars above.
SPACE CADETS Deep-sky observers gaze skyward with a giant 36-inch Dobsonian telescope at the May 2015 Star Party in Fort Davis.
Byrd remembers her first official star gathering fondly. “I was working for the McDonald Observatory, and they let me use the big 36-inch telescope when the professionals weren’t,” she recalls. “I wanted to share that experience with amateur astronomers, so I planned a gathering. I figured the telescope would be the main attraction of the night.” But things didn’t go as planned. “I found that the night sky always wins,” Byrd laughs. “People brought their own smaller telescopes, and came to just learn and hang out.” And that’s how the Star Party was born.
Now anyone can attend a Star Party in state parks across Texas, and even across the nation. Byrd recommends anywhere in West Texas, but especially the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park. “Big Bend is undoubtedly the most magical place in Texas to stargaze,” she says. “But the Davis Mountains are close to lots of fun places, including Fort Davis and Marfa.”
And, of course, Davis sticks to her roots. “When I can’t make it to a star party,” she says, “I love to visit McDonald Observatory.” Planetariums are great places to visit if you can’t make the trip out to a party. Some of the most note- worthy? San Antonio’s Scobee Education Center and Midland’s Marian West and William Blanton Blakemore Planetarium.
You don’t even need a telescope to see some of the cool things the sky has to offer. Byrd suggests starting small. “For my first stargazing experience, I had nothing more than a pair of binoculars,” she explains. “I aimed at Jupiter and saw several of its largest moons, strung out in a line across the planet’s equator. I’ve been hooked since.”
State park interpreter Rick Torres suggests using your phone to help get your bearings. “The app Sky Map uses your phone’s GPS system and serves like a point-and-shoot camera,” he says. “Aim your phone at the sky, and it will label stars, constellations, planets and more.” If you’re overwhelmed and not sure where to begin, Byrd recommends using her website (earthsky.org/tonight). “We update the webpage daily with easy-to-see things in the sky for that night. It’s great for novices who aren’t quite sure what they’re looking for yet.”
Byrd emphasizes that you don’t need fancy equipment, excessive knowledge or even a Star Party to become a stargazer. State Parks are open even when there aren’t events, and it’s easy to go check out the sky on your own time. “Stargazers are people who just like to look up, and not just during the nighttime,” she says. “There are tons of daytime phenomena like rainbows, halos and clouds. If you want to become a stargazer, just look up.”
