And I disagree with you 100%... But that's the nature of TAC right? Nobody agrees on anything but the beauty of the sky, and that's why it works, it's why we don't have rules, and it's why we spend time together. Vive la difference!
Speaking as an imager, I think that the effect of lights on imaging is hugely overrated. When faced with a blast of light, I pitty the person struggling to see a 13'th mag galaxy through an 8" dob far more than my little ol' image. I can always start it again. In the past when film was the most common imaging form, this was far more serious, as exposures could take 2 hours. Now, with CCD's, you are unlikely to spoil anything over 10 minutes work (oops... I mean "10 minutes of sitting around and waiting"). And to be honest, most well baffled scopes can handle a blast of light from the side pretty well, particularly if they are using a dew shield - usually there is no effect.
There are lot's of more "serious" clubs around for those who want to be more formal and exclusive.
Pete
-----Original Message-----
From: RichardN22@No-Spam [mailto:RichardN22@No-Spam]
Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 12:35 PM
To: sf-bay-tac@No-Spam
Subject: Re: [TAC] LSA full inclusion and DSO planning
In a message dated 2/28/02 11:28:40 AM Pacific Standard Time, mgw@No-Spam writes:
I ask that we stop complaining about white light that will occasionally occur.... heck.... in a big group it is bound to happen. Lose your dark adaptation? Have an image blown? Okay... no need to shoot someone! People forget or are uninitiated. They'll learn. That's what we want, isn't it? We invite others out so they'll learn. Learning to cooperate, understand and encourage is part of being in a group.
Everyone is welcome when we (TAC) get together. Even crabby old farts.
I agree with you 90%. I do think there is a place in TAC where a couple of times of the year when we go to Lassen or CalStar, that it is appropriate to be a little more strict about star party etiquette, and I don't think there is an excuse for anyone to be shining white lights, bleeding laptop screens, parking in the middle of the group and leaving at 11:30 unless it's a public night. At the local star parties, Messier Marathons etc. you have to accept that mis-haps are gonna happen.
Richard Navarrete