“We went because we had hope, and we left because we got facts”

That is to me, the best way to describe the impromptu star parties from yesterday and tonight.

Unfortunately, the weather report was not very reliable these past few nights, to the point that 2 different apps showed we were under clear skies, while surrounded by thick clouds.

On the bright side, these cloudy nights are the best for conversations, geek out, show off equipment, and more importantly, learn from other members (I am starting to think that’s what they named the website “Cloudy nights” after).

The temperature was gorgeous, the breeze felt amazing, and we got to meet new members and provide them with some guidance. It was nice seeing so many known faces, and so many new ones as well.

It reminded me to my first star parties when I didn’t know anyone and I was there just to see what everyone else was doing. I never imagined I would be honored to host so many parties myself and advance to an intermediate level astrophotographer. I share this as an example that this club is full of amazing people willing to teach and learn, and that even someone who had never touched a telescope up until a few years ago, could learn and keep learning this fascinating hobby because I got the best support at HAL.

I closed the gates of the park around 10 pm both nights, and I will keep an eye for any other potential clear night this week, but we also have the members only star party coming up soon, and the new members party coming by the end of the month, so there will be plenty more opportunities to enjoy the night sky.

I want to close this by inviting anyone who is just getting started and feels shy about meeting at the park because “You don’t want to bother anyone”, to come and join us at the star parties whenever you have the chance. We have all been there and the only way to observe or capture a piece of the universe is to go outside and look up.

I leave you with my very first picture of Orion that I took at a star party 3 or 4 years ago. It was only 5 seconds, single shot exposure I took with a DSLR and an ALT/AZ mount, and it took me approximately one hour to setup and align everything well enough to get it. I have captured way better images of Orion now like the one that follows and yet, none has caused me as much happiness and excitement as the first astro picture I ever took.

Jose Urias