A night of stars and lighting

I attended the 19th Annual North Texas Skywatch Star Party on Saturday November third, which is were a bunch of amateur astronomers set up telescopes and observe the stars. This year the party took place at Lake Mineral Wells State park. The party has to happen far away from sources of light so that the stars are easier to view and because of this we were not allowed to take any pictures with flash or use flashlights. It was a little scary to have to walk around in complete darkness from telescope to telescope. There were a lot of people there, but it was not the clearest night with clouds passing by and a lighting storm off in the distance. I was able to observe Mars and the Andromeda galaxy. It was a little on the cooler side, but comfortable out. It was quite out at the park away from roads and building, the only sounds were murmurs of everyone their discussing the stars. I know little about stars and had originally only gone for extra credit for another one of my classes but enjoyed spending time outside at night, which can be intimidating but I felt safe surrounded by others even though I was in the middle of no where. The ground was a little muddy because it had rained the day before, but the grasses soaked up most of the water. Watching the lighting off in the distance was my favorite part of the night because I enjoy watching storms and there is something beautiful about part of the sky momentarily lighting up. There is a little bit of mystery to it because you know it will happen again, you’re just not sure when, how bright or exactly where. There is also a different energy in the air on nights of storms, that I find exciting.