Posting our discussion from WhatsApp for future reference. This post will be linked to from all our star party registration forms:
We shortlist people for the star party instead of simply allowing open registrations, first-come-first-served, or using a membership model because our core focus right now is on community building, learning, and meaningful engagement.
1. Having a balanced group at the event
The experience level of participants directly affects the quality of the event. If there are too many freshers and not enough experienced people, it ends up being like a sightseeing tour. That’s not what we want. We want small groups where people actively learn from each other and get hands-on exposure to using telescopes.
- We intentionally keep small groups(4–5 people per telescope) so that everyone has time to observe, ask questions, and learn from others.
- Having at least 1 experienced person per group of 6–8 is essential.
2. Community Growth
Our goal has always been to build a community for astronomy in Chennai, not just hosting one-off events. This means
- Encouraging mentorship from experienced members.
- Prioritizing those who contribute to group discussions or help others.
- Selecting participants based on more than just who signs up first.
This approach has allowed us to grow sustainably. A few months back, we refused to host more than 15-person groups. Now, we are comfortably handling 25-person star parties because there are enough people with experience who can guide beginners.
3. It’s Not About Just Owning Equipment or Vehicles
- People with telescopes are valuable, but the ability and willingness to guide others is what truly makes the event work.
- We look at form responses, participation in discussions, and helpfulness to others while shortlisting.
In short, we shortlist, not because we want to exclude, but because we want to include the right mix of people so that everyone benefits. We want everyone to walk away from our events with the satisfaction of having learnt something.