Last updated August 5, 2026
Terms of Use
These terms govern use of The Star Window, a stargazing forecast and planning service operated by Dalton McKown. By using the service, you agree to these terms.
Questions can be sent to thestarwindow@gmail.com.
Planning guidance, not a guarantee
Forecasts, scores, viewing windows, maps, event information, target suggestions, and destination guides are planning aids. Weather, visibility, access, road conditions, closures, hazards, and astronomical conditions can change or vary within a forecast area.
The Star Window does not guarantee clear skies, a visible target, site access, personal safety, travel time, or a successful observing session. Recheck current conditions and official access information before leaving.
Safe and lawful use
- Follow applicable laws, closures, permits, posted hours, property boundaries, and instructions from land managers.
- Do not rely on a forecast-zone label as proof that a location is a public observing site.
- Use appropriate solar-viewing protection. Never look directly at the Sun through unfiltered eyes, binoculars, telescopes, or cameras.
- Assess weather, roads, terrain, wildlife, communications, and personal readiness before travel.
Accounts and acceptable use
You are responsible for protecting your credentials and for activity under your account. Provide accurate information and notify us if you suspect unauthorized access.
Do not interfere with the service, bypass security or rate limits, scrape it in a way that degrades availability, submit malicious data, impersonate another person, or use the service unlawfully. We may limit or terminate access needed to protect users, data, or service availability.
Accounts are available only to users who are at least 13 years old.
Content and external services
The Star Window site, original text, design, code, and original graphics are protected by applicable intellectual-property laws. You may use the service for personal planning but may not reproduce or resell substantial portions without permission.
Official agencies, maps, parks, weather providers, astronomy sources, and other external sites have their own terms and policies. Links do not imply endorsement, and The Star Window is not responsible for external services.
If compensated booking or affiliate links are introduced, they will be identified near the relevant links. No such relationship changes the need to verify access, safety, and conditions independently.
Availability and changes
The service may be modified, interrupted, suspended, or discontinued. Features shown as unavailable, private, experimental, or pending are not promised. Email alerts, password recovery, route-based travel recommendations, and unsupported atmospheric fields are not available unless explicitly activated.
We may update these terms as the service changes. Continued use after an updated version becomes effective means you accept the revised terms.
Warranty and liability limits
The service is provided “as is” and “as available” to the extent permitted by applicable law. We disclaim warranties that the service will be uninterrupted, error-free, or suitable for a particular trip or observing result.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, The Star Window and its operator are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for losses caused by reliance on forecasts, travel or access decisions, third-party services, or service interruption.
Nothing in these terms excludes rights or liabilities that cannot legally be excluded.
Disputes and contact
Before filing a formal claim, contact thestarwindow@gmail.com and provide a reasonable opportunity to resolve the issue informally. These terms are governed by applicable United States law without requiring mandatory arbitration or waiving non-waivable consumer rights.
If one provision is unenforceable, the remaining provisions continue to apply. A failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver.
See the Privacy Policy for information about data practices and controls.