Public Night FAQs

Welcome to the Public Night FAQ's page, where we will explain what to expect at one of our public nights.

• Public nights are announced on our website, and on our Facebook page. To ensure that every star party has the highest degree of quality, each star party is announced one at a time. Typically, there is a public star party every two months. To get advanced notice of these star parties, or to meet more regularly, consider becoming a member of the club.

• Public nights are just as they sound... they are open to the public. There is no charge to get in. There is no registration or tickets. As a nonprofit, donations are appreciated, but not expected.

• Directions to the Observatory can be found here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Jhag1M5aqCge6XLY8

• The Google Map pin will show you exactly how to get to the Observatory. Park in the lot adjacent to the courtyard, and then walk across the courtyard to the Observatory. When you have found a green shed with white trim, you have come to the right place. The courtyard is only accessible from the eastern side of Hopatcong High School.

• Each public night usually has a "rain date" that is used in case of clouds. If we decide to use the rain date, it will be announced on Facebook and on the announcement banner/homepage of our website within 24 hours of the event. Be sure to check our website before leaving for the Observatory. If both the initial and the rain date are cloudy, the event is pushed back about two weeks. 

• There are no restroom facilities at the Observatory. 

• Be sure to dress for whatever weather conditions. Check the weather and prepare accordingly.

• Star parties have no defined end time, but the last guests usually leave star parties after about 90 minutes or two hours. Attendees come and go as they please. But, if you arrive late or leave early, please be courteous to other guests by minimizing the amount of time you shine your headlights into the courtyard.

• Star parties are usually themed. We will discuss and learn about the objects we are viewing that night to better understand the things that we observe. 

• Usually, multiple telescopes are in operation. Sometimes, there is a small line, but it is not more than a few minutes wait.

• It is recommended to bring a chair or blanket to the star party so that you may sit during the presentation, or while you are waiting for a telescope. 

• Keep in mind, you are viewing the light emitted from objects that traveled millions of miles to reach your retinas. You are viewing objects as the appeared eons ago. Unlike a planetarium, everything you see is the real image. While a planetarium, or the James Webb Space Telescope can produce stunning imagery, you are witnessing the cosmos with your own eyes. You must learn how to "see" these objects. We will always share what kind of object we are looking at, and what features you can make out using your vision. We can observe galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, planets, and the moon.