New York State requires you to buy a license to stargaze: $35 to $60

[Roger E. Moore]

This sounds like a joke, but Snopes.com says it is the real thing. NY will charge you $$$ to stargaze from Long Island public city parks.

https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/ne...gazing-permit/

[George]

That may be a fee addressing parking at night within the park, especially if after normal visitor hours.

[Bearded One]

Sounds like a parking permit to me, not a stargazing permit. I wonder how it compares to daytime parking fees?

[schlaugh]

The permit specifically says:

STARGAZING PERMIT
$35 NYS resident fee / $60 non-NYS resident fee
Valid Motor Vehicle Registration required.
Driver’s License of Motor Vehicle Registrant required for NYS residents.
This permit allows after sunset parking for stargazing only at the following parks:
▪ Hither Hills: Except July & August
▪ Jones Beach: West End 2 and Field 6
▪ Montauk Point: Upper Parking Lot
▪ Robert Moses: Field 2
▪ Sunken Meadow: Fields 1 & 3
▪ Wildwood: Main Parking Lot
Permit valid year-round.
Sold January 1 to March 31 and Tuesday after Labor Day to December 31 at the following park offices:
Jones Beach Montauk Downs Robert Moses Sunken Meadow Wildwood
Sold the 1st business day of the year to March 31 and Tuesday after Labor Day to December 31 at the
following location: Long Island State Park Headquarters, West Babylon

So...yeah. No joke.

[George]

Looking at Sunken Meadow, it closes before dark and 7 of 13 amenities require a permit.

[Roger E. Moore]

Permit is "for stargazing only".

Smoochies require another permit.

[Eclogite]

Since the permit is for stargazing I presume one has to exercise caution to avoid arrest for looking at any of the planets, or the moon. But watching sunrise would be covered.

[KaiYeves]

Looking at Sunken Meadow, it closes before dark and 7 of 13 amenities require a permit.

Many of these state parks, at least the ones in my local part of NYS that I have visited, have facilities for camping and subsequent requirements to stay overnight and use those amenities. This seems to be related, even if stargazers do not intend to camp out all night.

I must admit I am heartened that there is enough stargazing in my state for special laws to be made about it!

[Jens]

Since the permit is for stargazing I presume one has to exercise caution to avoid arrest for looking at any of the planets, or the moon. But watching sunrise would be covered.

I wonder if people without permits are allowed to look at the sun during the day...

[Swift]

Sounds like a parking permit to me, not a stargazing permit. I wonder how it compares to daytime parking fees?

It might be called a stargazing permit, but I suspect that it is completely to cover the cost of parking and other amenities after the normal hours the park is open, and not to regulate the astronomy activities of the general public. I suspect they don't call it a parking permit so as to discourage people who would use it for non-stargazing activities, like drinking and making out.

[Jim]

... I suspect they don't call it a parking permit so as to discourage people who would use it for non-stargazing activities, like drinking and making out.

'cause we all know that astronomers are completely unfamiliar with either of those activities.

[KaiYeves]

'cause we all know that astronomers are completely unfamiliar with either of those activities.

Is this where we make an outdated “nerds are losers who will never kiss” joke that completely ignores the existence of female nerds or are we past that as a forum and society?

[Dave241]

STARGAZING PERMIT
$35 NYS resident fee / $60 non-NYS resident fee
Valid Motor Vehicle Registration required.
Driver’s License of Motor Vehicle Registrant required for NYS residents.
This permit allows after sunset parking for stargazing only at the following parks:
▪ Hither Hills: Except July & August
▪ Jones Beach: West End 2 and Field 6
▪ Montauk Point: Upper Parking Lot
▪ Robert Moses: Field 2
▪ Sunken Meadow: Fields 1 & 3
▪ Wildwood: Main Parking Lot
Permit valid year-round.
Sold January 1 to March 31 and Tuesday after Labor Day to December 31 at the following park offices:
Jones Beach Montauk Downs Robert Moses Sunken Meadow Wildwood
Sold the 1st business day of the year to March 31 and Tuesday after Labor Day to December 31 at the
following location: Long Island State Park Headquarters, West Babylon

Looking at the bolded part it's specifically for parking. I too am pleased that there are so many stargazers that it has to be officially accommodated by the city.