IISAC2015 - IceInSpace AstroCamp 2015: 19th-21st March 2015 (important info)

[iceman (Mike)]

HI All!

Only 4 weeks to go now! Coming up fast!

I've updated the IISAC page to include the Programme.

The sausage sizzle has been moved to 1pm Saturday, since last year (at 2:30pm) was too far from lunch and too close to dinner

Thanks to Alex for putting on two workshops, scheduled for 3pm Friday and 3pm Saturday.

Originally Posted by strongmanmike

Gee Alex, that's all a good value add for IISAC, great stuff, having recently scratched together enough and got myself a 12" GOTO Skywatcher (sorry ) wish I could make it...I've missed a few ISACs now

Mike

Sorry you can't make it, Mike. Would've been good to catchup.

Originally Posted by madwayne

Work conference at Cypress Lakes 17 to 19 March, morning finish on the Thursday looks like I know where I'll be headed after that.

Talk about perfect timing.

Wayne

Fantastic Wayne, see you there!

Originally Posted by creeksky

Wow! this sounds fantastic, although a 9 hour drive I could break the trip up at Nambucca.
Go to the camp, then visit Mum on the central coast.
Would love to learn Alex's drawing techniques and hear his tips!
As well as learn how to use my scope from those with experience, and meet the wonderful people from IIS!

I can bring a projector and screen(would be best in a darkish room area-has a built in DVD player but only vga- rga connection for laptops)

Anyone would be welcome to use it for presentations, or people could watch movies at night(,If they want) will even bring movies.

Would be fun camping near the Dob, staying up real late and seeing what others can see!
Not far to fall into bed either
Great work and thank you for organizing this Mike
Edit -I can also bring 2x large tarps and poles if you want a make-shift marquee?
Will have to check measurements.

Hey thanks for the offer of all that! Feel free to bring a projector if you want, though I won't have the marquee/projector screen this year so there'll be limited places to use it.

Brining the tarpes/poles - only if it's not too much trouble. It's not essential but it certainly can't hurt.

Originally Posted by stringscope

Can't make it this year due work commitment

Sorry to hear that, Ian.

Originally Posted by mental4astro

Gondwana Telescopes is now sponsoring the 2015 IISAC.

To celebrate, we will be offering Marana No. 5 at a very special discounted price.

Wildcard Innovations is also offering the purchaser of Marana No.5 a 10% discount on a new Argo Navis handset.

You will find further details in the Gondwana Telescopes News & Events web page.


I have organised with Mike Salway for the two workshops to be held on the following times:

* Telescope Maintenance - Friday 20th March at 3pm

* Astronomical Sketching - Saturday 21st March at 3pm. Fingers crossed here that the weather is kind to us so I can do a Solar sketching demonstration.

And as Gary Kopff can't make this year's Astro Camp, I've put my hand up to do the Sky Tour with my 17.5" dobbie. Anyone else with a scope is also welcome to join me with the Sky Tour, . OOOHHH, those imagining boys and girls ain't gonna like that laser...

I'm very much looking forward to this event

Alex.

Thanks Alex! Will be great to catchup and I can't wait to see what you've done with the telescope since last year!

Originally Posted by Nebulator2570

all and mike,

This will be my first time to lostock, so im looking forward to it this year.. If all is great and clear skies, maybe next year i will have to arrange with mike salway, a week or two before, if i may bring a Massive scope... But thats next year... Will see what happens..

But Im so looking forward to it this year and hope to make also Wiruna South pacific star party, later in the year too.

Anyway hope to see all you guys there and make some NEW friends

Nebulator

Great news! See you there!

Originally Posted by gary

Thanks Alex!

The Sky Tours are therefore in the safest of hands.

Actually it will be the first IISAC I have ever missed.

But I will be getting my fix of stars from the northern hemisphere.

Hope everyone has a great weekend and that the skies are crystal clear.

Sorry you can't make it, Gary. I'll certainly miss our chats!

[Dave2042 (Dave)]

Just signed up. Looking forward to it.

[madwayne (Wayne)]

All paid up for the three nights, really looking forward to it. I'll have my 12" goto dob and a fair chance of a nice bottle or three of red. After all what's a star party without it?

Mike - as I've said in my earlier post I'm only coming from Cypress Lakes so could be there early. I know and appreciate how much work you do for us at IISAC. If you need help with anything at all let me know and I'll willingly oblige. I assume it's ok to be there before lunch on the Thursday and get things setup. I note that you have the registration desk open at 15:00, from memory.

Wayne

[iceman (Mike)]

No worries at all Wayne. The "desk" itself won't be open but no problems coming early to setup yourself or help setup.

[uwahl (Ulrich)]

Over the next few days I hope to be able to nail down a trip to IISAC. Booked last year but last minute illness prevented me going. Here's hoping I will make it this year.

[absolut (Rob)]

Well, I had the distinct impression that I wouldn't be able to get the time off to go to IISAC2015, and then somehow (thank you Murphy!) it became possible!!... YAY!!

I'll be there from around lunch time Thursday until Sunday...

Now to work on those weather gods for some nice skies!!

[absolut (Rob)]

Something that may affect some of us... concerning the safety of portable butane cookers:

http://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/ft..._cookers.page?

Looks like I'll be shopping for a new cooker before heading to IISAC!!

Clear skies (and safe cooking)!!

[LightningNZ (Cam)]

This will be the first IISAC for my wife and I too, totally stoked to be going. Really looking forward to meeting a bunch of interesting people and hanging out under dark skies.
-Cam

[iceman (Mike)]

Great news, Rob and Cam.

See you there!

[RB (Andrew)]

I can't make it this year.
Have fun everyone and clear skies.

RB

[Allan]

Long range weather forecast is looking promising, although a little hot to kick the party off with on Thursday.

[skullmurphy]

Hi everyone,

Just booked for IISAC2015 and looking forward to getting away from it all.

Wondering if there is a 2015 T Shirt this year to go with my 2014 one.

Lets have clear skies day and night.

Skull

[skullmurphy]

Hi there

Looking at the possibility of obtaining a good quality solar panel setup or a quiet generator (<60db) or both mainly to charge tablets, my powered scope battery amongst other things if we have lousy sunless days for the star party.

Firstly are generators permitted and are there restricted hours of operation ??



Skull

[sheeny (Al)]

There is power available at both houses. I usually charge batteries, laptops, etc during the day. If you are into imaging, the imaging area is close to the bottom house, so bring a long extension lead and power board if required.

I'm not sure if there are rules about generators. I'll let Mike handle that. I don't remember hearing any generators during past IISAC's.

Al.

[iceman (Mike)]

I think they're fine during the day but would prefer not to hear them going at night. Like Al said, you can set up fairly close to power anyway.

I haven't arranged t-shirts yet. I'll probably get some idea of numbers and get some done after, if there's interest.

[absolut (Rob)]

Hey Skull,

I have 2 x 18Ah batteries and an 80W solar panel.
It is enough for my goto 10" scope, dew control, wifi module, android tablet, and android phone. The only time my batteries get tested is in extremes of cold (below zero). Regardless, the 80W panel is enough to significantly recharge them even in the depths of winter when the sun is least available.

I'd only ever consider a generator if I had a fridge or multiple laptops.

Clear skies!

[skullmurphy]

Thanks Rob, Al and Mike,

Gives me some clues of where I will look to getting my power requirements when I get back from the Astrocamp ......

Rob would it be possible to meet up either Thursday or Friday to check out your solar-powered setup to see it in the flesh. ...

Thanks again all

Skull

[FieldsofLaura (Laura)]

Hi All, this is my boyfriend and I's first star party and we are both very excited (me more than him). We are both complete novices so looking forward to learning from all you experts. Unfortunately we couldn't get time off work so will be heading down late afternoon on Friday. I hope this isn't going to be a problem and we won't miss out on too much of the fun? :-)

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

To Mike and all the crew heading to Lostock.
Best wishes for a great Camp for 2015, hope the skies are clear and all goes well.

Malcolm and all the crew at Snake Valley

[norm]

Hope you guys have a great time and fantastic weather. Unfortunately work and personal commitments don't allow me this time.

I'm hoping Mike will host one in 2016, we'll definitely make it to the 10 year milestone.

Have fun all.

Norm

PS: Alex, your scopes look amazing !