Will a Houge Park Event be canceled?

As winter weather approaches Houge Park events will again be subject to weather. A thick cloud cover will cancel the event just as thoroughly as a monsoon! If the cloud cover is thin enough so we can see the moon, planets, or bright stars we will try to show something. Unfortunately, none of us have cloud filters¹ and our scopes don't have umbrellas.

Instead of making everyone come to Houge to learn the event is canceled, SJAA will now begin notifying people via the web site (and if possible via phone hot line).

The status will be posted a minimum of Two Hours before a Houge Star Party as one of the following

	The star party will occur as scheduled. A full complement of visitors and scopes can be expected. Note if the weather is obviously clear then we may not post this.
	The event will occur as scheduled, but due to questionable weather there may be fewer scopes then are normally at Houge.
	The event is canceled. Please stay home and enjoy some hot chocolate (or whatever).

Canceling the star party does not affect the beginner's class. The beginner's astronomy class is held regardless of the weather.

What do I tell my Group?

The best answer is if there are clouds visible check the website before coming. Groups coming to Houge are always a difficult question. We suggest a simple rule you can follow

If the Lights are on, the party is off

SJAA always shuts the parking lot lights off at or near the published time of the event. If it is past the published start time, there are clouds in the sky, and the lights in the parking lot are still lit, go home. There may be someone there, but generally it means we canceled the party two hours ago.

We are looking at putting a cancellation sign at Houge, but the lights are a for sure signal SJAA is not there.

1. A mythical device that allows astronomers to continue to observe through a thick cloud cover. (see also leprechauns and unicorns).

rjh 11/07/07