3. Field Duties and Sky Tours
a) Attending the Gate: Thursday morning to Saturday afternoon
Things that you will need:
- Hat
- Sunblock
- Umbrella (as needed)
- Copy of program
- Watch
- Volunteer lanyard
- High-visibility vest
- Copies of site map
- A list of registered participants
- The portable gazebo
- Walkie-Talkie to communicate with PA operator and Check-In Desk
Procedure:
- Check that the names of the people arriving are on your list of registered participants (even if they are members and regulars at the star party). Note their arrival times on your list.
- Welcome participants as they arrive and indicate how to get to the Check-In Tent.
- Advise them when the Check-In Tent will next be open.
- If after dark on Thursday or Friday, advise them to turn off their headlights and proceed VERY SLOWLY with PARKING LIGHTS ONLY.
- Indicate where they should park their vehicle/set up camp (as appropriate). Caravans, camper vans, camper trailers and mobile homes should turn left at the CARAVANS sign or proceed all the way to Barry Gerdes Lodge. Campers with tents can use the lower camping ground, Bon Glen or Barry Gerdes Lodge. In theory, they will have made their selection when they registered and camping vehicles on the Lower Camp Ground will have been allocated a numbered Site.
- Offer them a site map if they need one.
- If people arrive after dark on Saturday, get them to park near the front gate.
For people NOT on your list, explain that everyone was supposed to register in advance.
Ask if they read the website and emails that were sent to contacts.
State that there are NO onsite registrations, and that this information is made perfectly clear on the website. You can also explain that anyone who enters the site who is not registered is not covered legally and is not entitled to any of the registered participant privileges.
For people who persist, refer them to Lesa or the President.
Times of operation:
- Thursday 10am - sunset. Early arrivals will be mostly volunteers, but you will be provided with a full list of registered participants, as some will have requested permission to come before 2pm.
The start on Thursday is a soft start, with duties commencing whenever the members of the gate crew finish setting up their own camps. - Friday 10am - sunset (to 8pm if busy).
- Saturday 10am - 2pm. The welcome at the gate closes down at the start of the main presentation on Saturday afternoon. The gate itself is closed at sunset on Saturday. Participants who arrive between 2pm and sunset can figure it out for themselves!
When the gate is closed, a notice is to be posted on the gate with a contact phone number so that latecomers can gain access, but also be reminded about turning off headlights.
b) Marshalling the Camping Areas: Thursday am to Saturday pm
Things you will need:
- Hat
- Sunblock
- Umbrella (as needed)
- Copy of program
- Watch
- Volunteer lanyard
- High-visibility vest
Procedure:
- Greet people as they enter your area (Bon Glen, lower camping ground, Barry Gerdes Lodge).
- Answer any queries they have.
- Indicate where they can set up their camp/caravan.
c) Checking Vehicle Compliance: 12.30pm Friday and Saturday afternoons
Assess all vehicles on the Main Observing Field on Friday afternoon at around 12.30pm.
On Saturday, a 12.30 time slot also fits in after the Group Photo. All vehicles on the Main Observing Field may be re-checked to see if they have their compliance notice, or need to be assessed (i.e. the ones that arrived after Friday's check). If the owner of the vehicle cannot be easily located, take down the Registration Number of the vehicle and request an announcement over the PA (at the Check-In Desk).
Procedure:
- Attend every vehicle on the Main Observing Field.
- Check for interior white lights when doors and boot are opened.
- Check for alarmingly bright hazard lights as vehicle is locked or unlocked.
- If you are satisfied that the vehicle satisfies the Wiruna Light Use Policy, issue a compliance certificate,
to be left on the dash. - If the vehicle cannot be made to comply, ask that the vehicle be removed from the observing field.
There is usually parking space available to the NE of the Main Hall.
d) Twilight Sky Tours
Procedure: This is the only circumstance at the South Pacific Star Party where the use of a green laser pointer is permitted. Twilight tours serve to point out the bright stars, constellations and planets to star party participants. They can be conducted with a baffled white torch, laser pointer or other means as appropriate or available. Every care must be taken to ensure that the green laser point is not used for any other purpose and is safely stowed when not in use.
e) Telescope Sky Tours
Procedure: Locate objects for participants to observe. Encourage them to use the focusser to attain the best view. Offer descriptions of objects and respond to questions. Endeavour to ensure that people continue to view while you talk so that many objects may be viewed in the available time.
