"Star Watch" is a term amateur astronomers use for an evening get-together where we talk, look through telescopes, find new objects and enjoy each others company. Our public Star Watches are an opportunity for you to:

• Look through a variety of telescopes at planets, star clusters and galaxies and discuss what you are looking at with a knowledgeable person.

• Learn about the constellations - you don't need telescopes or binoculars for these.

• Ask questions about our solar system, cosmology, stars and many other subjects.

• Learn about telescopes, binoculars, books and software.

Our club is scheduled to conduct a total of eight public star watches in 2010. Most will be in New Jersey's Wharton State Forest (Batsto Village and Atsion), but one will be at Franklin Parker Preserve in Chatsworth, NJ (there will be an additional NJ Conservation Foundation event at Franklin Parker in late October with a nominal admission fee). These events are weather-permitting, so always check the WAS home page for the weather status before heading out. This information will be posted by 3:00 pm (usually sooner) on the day of the event.

At Batsto Village, our telescopes will be in the field beside the visitors' center and attendees should park in the paved parking lot at the front of the visitor's center. At Atsion, there is a small parking lot next to the Ranger Station and overflow parking will be on the adjoining field; scopes will set up at the far end of the field. At Franklin Parker, we set up behind the utility building; parking is in front of the building and is organized by the NJ Conservation Foundation.

Etiquette and safety - following a few simple rules will maintain an adequate level of safety and improve the general experience:

• Do not drive your vehicle near the telescopes. This area is dark and you might accidentally hit an attendee or astronomy equipment.

• Flashlights are welcome but keep them pointed at the ground. It takes time for your eyes to adapt to the dark so you can see the fainter objects in a telescope such as galaxies. Having someone shine their flashlight in your eyes will reduce your dark adaptation for awhile.

• Do not touch the telescopes. Not because you will damage any of the telescopes but you may move the telescope off the object it is aimed at and it takes time for the operator to reacquire the object.

• Cameras - it is ok to bring cameras but don't use a flash. If you wish, bring a tripod and one of our club members will show you how to image the night sky.

For more information, contact our Star Watch Director, Bernie Hosko, at bighos@comcast.net or Joe Stieber at joestieber@comcast.net.

The Willingboro Astronomical Society is a member of NASA's Night Sky Network:

Also - don't forget to check the web sites of the other astronomy clubs in the Delaware Valley area - they frequently schedule as many or more star watches as we do and some may be much closer to you. You can find their web sites at Links.