Star parties are events where people gather together and gaze at thestars. Huddled around telescopes, people gather at meadows, mesas and parking lots to enjoy celestial light shows in the evening sky. From Pennsylvania to Pakistan , these parties bring astronomy out of the professional observatory and into the lives of backyard stargazers. An Indian woman views the sky through a telescope at a star party in Bolivia. These gatherings provide a much more convivial atmosphere than stargazing alone, and they help people learn about the sky and how to use a telescope.
Most star parties are monthly events put on by local astronomy clubs.
These groups publish a list of dates each year, with parties usually planned on the weekend closest to the new moon for that month. Star parties are social events, but leave the beer at home. A typical star party is a quiet affair, with people speaking in hushed tones while observing through various telescopes. Under a dark sky full of stars, it is considered bad star-party etiquette to speak loudly or play loud music. Under a sprawling canopy of stars, silence is a natural reaction.