What is a star party?
One might imagine that our ancient ancestors would sometimes sit around the softly glowing embers of a camp fire, swapping myths and legends surrounding the figures strung up in the constellations. Since the invention of the telescope in the 17th century, astronomers such as Galileo Galilei, Christian Huygens and William Herschel would often have shared with others a closer look at the stars through their instruments. Amateur astronomers today frequently gather under the night sky at star parties, sharing equipment and knowledge. A fuzzy patch of light can be given greater clarity through a larger lens or greater understanding through another's experience. As we look up to the enormity of the heavens, it seems impossible not to find ourselves suddenly brought closer together in awe.
HCO host star parties for family, society and educational groups. Your friends, family, pupils or classmates will be given a tour of the sky by a star-guide, with the aid of a large telescope. Star-guides are amateur, semi-professional or professional astronomers who should be able to provide some insight to any questions you may have. These events can be privately booked on consultation with HCO; for such private evenings at the observatory we ask visiting groups to make a contribution, typically, of £30 to the running costs of this non-profit enterprise.