When driving in, use your car's parking lights. This will help minimize excessive light and protect each others night vision. We know that some new cars have running lights that can't be turned off and we accept it. One trick to disable your daytime running lights is to depress the emergency brake pedal until it clicks once. You can still move the car but the daytime running lights will go off. This may or may not work for your car. (If you get serious about astronomy, we can show you how to disable running lights.)

Minimize white light from your car. This includes interior lights, backup lights, cargo lights on trucks, and trunk lights. If you attend starparties regularly and need the light, consider placing a red bulb in it. Please keep the doors and trunk closed if those white lights can not be turned off or shielded. If you must turn on a white light, call out "White Light!" to warn the astronomers.

Use a flashlight with red bulb or red filter. If you can't find any red plastic, ask some of the astronomers if they have any red plastic, they will gladly share.

Let your eyes adjust to the dark. Avoid looking at bright objects such as white light, street lights, oncoming cars, and flashlights. It will help you see the sky and the other telescopes. You will be surprised just how much you can see in complete darkness.

Watch your step. There are lots of things on the ground including equipment, boxes, wires, ledges, and tripod legs. Once your eyes adjust to the dark, you won't need your red flashlight. Do not run!

Do not spit. Many times astronomers must be on their hands and knees around the telescopes. Nobody wants to encounter the end results of your chew. An inconsiderate spit shot blindly into the dark could hit a telescope or a box of very expensive eyepieces.

We prefer that there be no smoking. If you must smoke, please smoke downwind away from the telescopes. Smoke will settle on optics and ruin the coatings. Use good judgment here. Many astronomers love a good cigar but please respect the non-smokers and observe any site smoking regulations.

Don't "flick your Bic". If you must light up, go behind a large vehicle or otherwise thoroughly shield your flame. A lighter is just as bad as a white flashlight.

Booze and optics are a poor mix. Even small amounts can effect your coordination in maneuvering around the equipment in the dark. It ruins your night vision and makes eyepieces hard to handle. Observe site restrictions on alcohol use.

Keep food and drinks away from the telescopes. Sticky hands, sloshing drinks, and expensive optics do not mix.

Keep any pets in your vehicles or on a leash at least 200 ft away from all telescopes and equipment. We can't see Fido or what he leaves on the ground (see discussion about spit)

Please keep an eye on your children. No running or ruffhousing. It's dark and we are in the middle of nowhere, often on top of a steep ridge. We welcome the next generation of astronomers at our telescopes. Our group loves to help them learn about our universe in a fun and informative way. We want them (and our equipment)to have a safe evening observing.

Ask before looking through a telescope. We will gladly let you look through our telescopes, but let the owner show you how and where to look first. This will help maximize your viewing experience.

Ask the astronomer if you need help to focus and aim the telescope. You won't knock the telescope over or break it, but you may accidentally move it off object. You may have to focus the telescope for your eye. If you can't see the object, or if you accidentally get the scope off object, the astronomer will be glad to fix it.

Please ask lots of questions. We love questions and feel honored to help you learn. The only dumb questions are the ones you don't ask!