Well, although a few people did respond, I thought this idea might get a few more comments than what it did. 

I would really like for this star party to happen.  Something I did think of though is that although I'm pretty stoked about the idea, I'm a relative newbie and have never been to ANY star parties...well, bigger ones anyway.  While many of you are old pros and probably HAVE been to some biggies.  Thus, my idea might not be instilling the sense of enthusiasm in you the way it is in me.

Humor me for just a minute.  If you aren't all that turned on with the thought of a star party for this forum's members and their guests, what would the party need to include, if anything, to maybe make you change your mind.  Likewise, if you would be interested, let me know what it would take to make the party a success in your mind.

Some things would be:

          1.  How long would the party need to be?  I was thinking 3 or 4 nights.

          2.  This is if I have it at my place...is a porta-potty or two O.K. for that need?  There would be a tree or two for the guys!  And there would be no on-site showers or anything.  If anyone would have any ideas there.

          3.  What time of the year would be good?  If it's at my place, Spring or Fall would be the best.  That's unless you like humidity as thick as pea soup!

          4.  What rules should apply? 

          5.  How much notice would you need in order to plan to attend?

I'm sure there's a bunch of stuff that needs to go into the planning of something like this.  And I'm sure there'll be something not thought of.  But, if this little idea takes flight, who among you would like to be part of the planning committee?  It's not every day you get asked to be a part of such a prestigious entity!!

Anyway, I appreciate any responses and I'll leave you alone now!

I would join but I don't think my family would entertain the idea of driving all the way to NM just for a star party. Most of them couldn't care less about astronomy.Maybe my dad and i.

As for what season, I like winter objects the best. It could be very cold, though.

Otherwise, I'd willingly pick summer.

 I might take the trip. Sounds pretty cool.

I believe it is a great idea for some of the members of this forum, but for others it would be impossible to do for many reasons. Traveling is quite expensive, even with gas prices going back down, but for how long no one knows. Some members live in other countries. Of course for some money is not the issue. I wish. I also like my marriage just the way it is.

I am fairly new to this hobby and have only attended one star party since observing. If you did get this off the ground, how many would attend? How big an area would be needed? As someone stated earlier, what about certain utilities that would be needed?

I certainly hope this all works out for everyone and it comes to fruition.

But if it doesn't what about an internet star party? Certainly would not be anything like a true star party. What would we all need to do something like this? Not even sure if there could even be such a thing. Just a thought.

Yes, we could all observe at the same time and constantly post whatever we're doing. Whenever we see an object, we'd type a post, and we could have a big thread about the observing that we do as we participate in the forum. We'd probably ruin our night vision, though. Maybe we could adjust the brightness on the computer screen.

Sounds all great and fine, but about 95% of the reason for having a party for those of us that post on here was actually observing together in person and being able to put faces(and voices) to names.  Just IMHO, we already do the "internet" star party.

I knew it was a long shot and probably wouldn't fly.  I just thought I would run it up the flagpole and see what kind of response there was.

I think your idea is a very nice one but organizing these things can prove to be very difficult.  It might be easier if everyone could meet at an existing star party.  One would get all the fun of seeing one another without the logistical problem.

Your idea of a smaller get together is nice though as well so don't give up on it.  At the moment between my health and my employer trying to kill me with 12 hour days it may be quite awhile before I even make it outside, then to Joshua Tree, and then maybe a trip out of state.  It will happen one day but until I can really make plans again it would be folly for me to commit to much of anything right now.

I wish you all the best and I will check in on this just in case it firms up,

L