IISAC2007 Writeups!

[Orion]

What a great IISAC07

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank Mike and my fellow committee members for organising such a successful event. I'd like to also thank anyone that pitched in and lent a hand.
A big thank you to the speakers and sponsors, although I didn't attend all the talks, what I did hear I enjoyed. (We will address the glare problem on the screen next time around I hope)

What can I say about the comet that has not already been said...What a comet

I am very happy that my wife and my two girls came along this time. We enjoyed ourselves immensely. They really loved the swimming hole and experiencing the comet with the whole family on top of that hill was something that happens only once in a life time! ( I can still remember that atmosphere of anticipation)

What a wide variety of telescopes this year. Trying to get into the spirit of things just after seeing the comet was a bit difficult, I mean what can top that!

It was great to meet the people that I only knew by name and also getting together with some of the NAS folk under such beautiful skies. I made several new friends and getting all together under Houghy's "meeting area" sharing stories and having a couple of cold ones on those hot days is very memorable.

I could keep on raving on about this camp but I won't. I only hope that everyone had as much fun as my family and I did.

Come on October 2008!

[norm]

First and foremost a huge thanks to Mike and the organisers for holding another great IIS Astrocamp. Given the extreme temperatures and conditions they worked tiredlessly throughout the days and nights to ensure all had a great time.

Special thanks to Petra for showing me her 12 Lightbridge and its workings. Another special thanks to Lachlan for the night sky tour with the 18” Obsession – one can only wish !!!

The river was a godsend and the kids had a great time. Although I had seen the comet under Sydney skies, being there on the mountain top, with the slightest of a warm breeze and clear skies was very special, even more special with the kids being there to witness it. Although they’re probably too young to appreciate this occasion, I’ll look forward to the day when they get older and we’ll have a yarn about the whole event.

Thanks again to all.

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Great write up Mike, it is certainly an Event that I will remember for many years to come.
I intended to do it at the time, when you were giving your thank you speech, but i will do it now "Thank you for creating such a great event" & to Mrs Ice for supporting you in doing so.
I appreciate your kind words for the small contribution i was able to make.
I will certainly be planning to attend the next one in 2008.
Many new friendships were formed over the weekend & I hope to be able to catch up with some of the friendly IIS people I met there before the 2008 event.

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I've really enjoyed reading these writeups.
So wish that I could have come along.

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Sounds like quite an event...the write-ups, pictures and stories are fun to read.

I wish I could have been there...Glad everyone had fun and returned safely home!

[Astro Girl (Elizabeth)]

Hi everyone

I had a great time at Lostock.
My Dad took my sister and I with him.
we made new friends and cooled off in the water hole.
We went up to the mountain to see the comet it was beautiful.

Thank you Mike for the astro camp.
Thank you dr David Malin for my lucky door prize of the beautiful photo of M16.

I hope Dad takse us again.

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by Astro Girl

Hi everyone

I had a great time at Lostock.
My Dad took my sister and I with him.

I hope Dad takes us again.

....and buys you a Canon 5D, Takakashi TOA130, ST10ME and an NJP mount too!

Now how would Santa wrap and fit all those lovely presents down the chimney next Christmas...

Cheers

Dennis

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Hi Lizzy,

I am glad you and sis had a great time. I wished my 10 yr old son Jake could have made it this year as he would have had a lot of fun with you both. It really was refreshing to see 2 such well mannered girls, as you and your sister.

You are both welcome to join me any time and have a look through the 18" Obsession. I am sure Jake would love to meet you both out at Paintball next New Moon, if you can talk Dad into taking you with him.

CS-John B

PS: Do you think some of Dad's hair will have grown back by next new moon ?

[cahullian]

Ron and I had a great time at camp this year (even without the lazer light show) The weather could have been a little hotter as anything under 40C if freezing cold to my old Irish bones. I was sweating so much setting up I had a constant stream of sweat running off my nose the whole time, Ron reckoned it looked like a water fall The water hole was a big hit for the both of us.

The comet was fantastic to see but the highlight of the week end was the Jets 4-0 win over Melbourne. The Newcastle team are all stars, superstars if you ask me.I hope the freeway is clear for my trip to Aussie stadium on Friday.

The dark skies are always enjoyable and just eyeballing them is a treat for me. I had a blast looking through the 18" of John's and saw the horse head which wasn't the easiest to make out, but it is a very faint object that not everyone can say they have seen without looking at a photo of it. Seeing old favourites like 47 Tuc and the jewel box in dark skies gets my interest in this great hobby rekindled and I would highly recommenrd that everyone try and get too the next camp.

John B's talk was the only one I heard and I enjoyed it a lot, he really knows his stuff.( nice one mate)

Thanks to Mike and Dave for doing most of the hard work in getting things running smoothly and the other organizers can also a well deserved pat on the back for a job well done.

It was great to see so many families attend this year, it really made the whole thing feel like a bunch of friends and their families getting together for a fun filled weekend. The sound of kids laughter is a lot easier to put up with than a bunch of blokes snoring their heads off

All in all I had a blast and can't wait until the next one with only 614 days until October 2008 who's counting

Gazz

[Sausageman (Mike Boggan)]

Er, Sorry about my snoring Gazz, Yes everyone, it was me. I'm told I woke people in Gresford, and it showed up on some seismometers in Canberra.

After cooking all those snags in the heat and not eating, a few beers later and I was gone. I even missed the group photo. 44 degrees and the Barbie was too much for me.

Sorry all.

Mike

[KISA (Markus)]

To Mike and the organisers, thank you all for a fantastic 4 days. Even though the heat was near unbearable, the dip in the river was like utopia in comparison. And as for Mc Naught, well that was a very thick icing on the cake.

Thank again!

[Astro Girl (Elizabeth)]

Originally Posted by Dennis

....and buys you a Canon 5D, Takakashi TOA130, ST10ME and an NJP mount too!

Now how would Santa wrap and fit all those lovely presents down the chimney next Christmas...

Cheers

Dennis

Thank you very much Dennis, I'd like that very much.
My Dad says to stop puting ideas into my head.

[Astro Girl (Elizabeth)]

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

Hi Lizzy,

I am glad you and sis had a great time. I wished my 10 yr old son Jake could have made it this year as he would have had a lot of fun with you both. It really was refreshing to see 2 such well mannered girls, as you and your sister.

You are both welcome to join me any time and have a look through the 18" Obsession. I am sure Jake would love to meet you both out at Paintball next New Moon, if you can talk Dad into taking you with him.

CS-John B

PS: Do you think some of Dad's hair will have grown back by next new moon ?

Thank you very much John and thank you for leting us use your scope.
It was wonderful to see M42 the Orion nebula in it.

Dad says he will take us to Kulnura next time.

He's already going to shave his head again.

bye for now .

[Digby]

Its nice to read that a number of people enjoyed looking thru my 12inch
Binos.They would not have happened without the input of Mark Suchting,
and to a lesser degree Don from Bintel in Sydney.
Which only goes to show that anyone can build a pair. if they set there heart
on it.

Cheers,

Digby