If you have never been to a star party at Landers, you may be wondering just what to bring to GMARS.

The simplest answer: Nothing. You can actually get by with just hauling yourself out to Landers, with nothing but the clothes on your back. A GMARS visit requires no equipment, reservations, fees or costs (or even membership). (Although it is expected that folks help out with expenses by dropping some hard earned money into the kitty in the kitchen.)

However, to really enjoy the star party, you will want to start with some warm clothing. Even if the day is sunny, temperatures can dip forty degrees after the sun goes down. During the summer, this brings it down to shorts and a t-shirt (although jeans and a sweatshirt is a possibility, even in summer) but almost any other time of the year, this means dressing in layers. In the winter, start with a pair of long-johns, thick socks, and perhaps boots. A stocking cap or hood that can keep the head from radiating heat is also essential. Warm gloves, particularly those made so that you can uncover your fingers to manipulate the focuser knobs and such, help make things more comfortable. (And if you do happen to forget the warm clothes, there are three "Loaner" parkas in the house!!!!)

You should remember that you are in a desert, and it is dark, and little things like to crawl around, or simply wait in hiding for unprotected feet. Your feet will be happier with a good set of shoes than with sandals.

Next, bring your red flashlight. It is not absolutely essential, but does make it a bit easier to move around and adjust equipment in the dark. You can get by with a white flashlight (after you have covered it with the red cellophane available in the clubhouse) but they are generally still a little bright for the dark sky site.

You do not need any astronomical equipment, and can have a splendid evening just wandering from scope to scope, or hanging around Capella (the club's 22 inch Dob), or attaching yourself to one of the regular observers and their equipment. Really, just wander up and say "What are you looking at?" (Well, as long as they aren't astro-imaging.)

If you bring astro-equipment, it is wise to bring your WHOLE setup, and not leave any of the little essential parts behind. Set it up beforehand at home, and find out exactly what parts you need: tripod, counterweights, hand controller, battery pack, eyepieces, collimator…whatever. Then pack all these parts together in the same place at home. Either fit them into one or two large storage "trunks" or pack them in one corner of the garage. You are not ready to leave home, then, unless that entire corner of the garage is in your car.

It would be wise to include in your collection any tools, allen wrenches, connectors, battery chargers, and so forth, that you need to work on your equipment. If these tools are something you borrow as needed from a home tool box, you will be happier buying a duplicate to keep in your observing "kit."

We have AC power on the field but you should bring along an extension cord, maybe a six-plug power-strip, and whatever power "bugs" you need to run your equipment.

Some "equipment" things you may not have considered: a section of outdoor carpeting to cover the ground; some 8x8 inch squares of plywood to hold your tripod legs steady in the soft sand; and, a small table and a lawn chair to set near your scope.

Unless you plan to spend the evening using OP Equipment ("Other People's"), you will want a star chart, an observing list, or maybe a laptop (with a red filter for the screen) with a good planetarium program.

A note about "pads": It is generally accepted that if a pad owner is not present by sundown on Saturday, anybody else may set up on that pad. On Friday, it is better to wait a little while after sunset before "squatting," since some people do not get off work till late. Better yet, post an email to the pad owners and see who is not showing any given weekend, and will arrange to loan the pad to you.

If you are staying the night, you have several choices. To camp, simply bring whatever you would ordinarily need for sleeping on a camping trip: tent, air mattress, and sleeping bag, to name a few things. Leave your white-light lantern at home. (Even inside a tent, their light ruins the observing outside.)

Or, you could stay in the house. This will accommodate maybe a dozen people, counting the living room. All you need for this is a sleeping bag (if you get one of the six bed or couch spaces) and maybe an air mattress (if you don't). (And a Teddy Bear if you need one to fall asleep.)

If you have an RV, just drive over. We have plenty of space, but no hookups or dump facilities. Be sure to light-proof your windows with some opaque material.

(And, some people even find a room in a friendly motel in Yucca Valley, about fifteen minutes away.)

Overnighters should include a couple of earplugs and perhaps an eyeshade. Hours are different out there. People may be talking on the observing field while you try to sleep nearby. And occasionally, somebody snores. (Thankfully, known snorers have traditionally exiled themselves from the house. So, the noise at night is not as bad as it could be. )

As for other personal items, a toothbrush and paste is about all you will need. Don't expect to take a shower. Not only are the facilities inadequate, but there are no towels. A first aid kit and some simple medicines (Tylenol, etc.) are available, but of course you should bring any special medicine, eye care, or other personal needs.

For those regularly staying inside the house, we have cubbies that will accommodate storage containers with your sleeping bag and such between visits.

Finally, the house is generally stocked with staples like coffee, hot chocolate, and drinking water. The kitchen is fully equipped, so you don't need utensils, pans, plates, or such. There are chips and cookies on the table. The place can be like a commune. Whatever is there is available to all (which means that if you bring something special that you want to save for yourself, it is good to mark it well. Better yet, don't bring it into the house in the first place!!!). And of course, you are always welcome to add to the collection of sodas, chips, pies…

The "Star-be-Cue" was originally a "pot-luck" but that term seems to have been lost on many . (For those many who are apparently unfamiliar with the term, with a "pot-luck," everybody is supposed to bring something.) So, special desserts or side dishes, or even main courses, are always welcome. But in fact, they are not required, and you can join in the festivities by just dropping some cash into the kitty.

As you can see, it does not take much to come to a star party. You can easily leave town mid-afternoon with just your warm clothes, feast at the Star-be-cue, observe for four hours (during the winter), jump back in the car, and be back in your cozy bed at home by midnight. Or you could make a weekend out of it by just adding a sleeping bag.

In any case, if you have not been there yet, you have no excuses!!!