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  #1  
Old 05-04-2005, 10:28 AM
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iceman (Mike)
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Thumbs up IceInSpace Star Party (Central Coast) - May 7th 2005

Hey guys.

IceInSpace is having it's first official IceInSpace Star Party on Saturday the 7th May 2005, on the Central Coast of NSW.

This is an open invite to everyone, including their families. Even if you don't own a scope, or even if you don't want to bring one, there'll be plenty of big scopes to look through. If you live on the central coast, or anywhere from newcastle to sydney or the blue mountains, we'd love to see you.

Date: Saturday 7th May 2005
Time: 4pm
Location: "The Paintball Place", Greta Road, Kulnura (click for map). Myself or Anthony (our host) will try and get some balloons at the major intersections along the way.. you'll have to try hard to get lost

(see pics at bottom of thread) Once you're on Greta road, turn left on the 1st driveway (it's only 100metres down the road, look for the sign). Take a slight left through the trees which will get you into the observing field. Park your car safely around the edges of the field. If you need to drive onto the field to unload your scope etc (if it's heavy), no problems.

For those that don't want to bring scopes or drive there, and want to catch the train, we could arrange some carpooling from Gosford Station.. Rod or myself could perhaps take 1-3 people each. Contact me to arrange this.

There'll be plenty of talent there, including some of the central coasts top amateur astronomers with telescopes as large as 20 inches.

The plan is to arrive around 4pm, so everyone can setup their scopes in daylight, and then have a BBQ early dinner where everyone can get to know each other.

BBQ/dinner/drinks
Info for the BBQ:
- Bring your own meat
- Onions, bread (or breadrolls), i'll supply.
- BBQ/Tomato sauce, we'll supply.
- Tea and Coffee will be supplied (I'll bring some milk)
- Bring your own softdrink, beer, wine for the dinner, and for the long night ahead.

The site has gas BBQ's, running water, flush toilets and limited240v power.

If you're keen to do astrophotography with your laptops, there's other areas on the field you can setup (behind some big mounds) where your laptop glow won't annoy anyone

Other things to think about bringing:
- Aeroguard
- Dew shields/zappers
- Hairdryers
- Tarp for the ground
- Red Torches
- Cold weather gear
- Portable power

Remember it'll be star party ettiquette.. while it's a social occassion, when it's dark, people want it to stay dark. So no white lights.

Reply with your expressions of interest, questions etc.

What if it's wet/cloudy?
In the most unfortunate event of wet or cloudy weather, we'll still be going ahead with the BBQ (get to know each other) and hope the clouds clear.. I'm sure there'll be plenty to chat about, maybe some cards, some beers, who knows?


(list will be updated as people notify of their availability)

Definites:
iceman (mike) + family (?)
rodstar (rod) + family (?)
frogman (anthony)
brendan (brendan)
trufflehunter (wayne)
seeker + family (narayan)
Orion (ed), tornado33 (scott), George, Patrick, h0ughy (David) + others from NAS
John H + family
atalas (louie)
Gary Kopff & Mai Tran
hector (andrew murrell)
james
Lesa Moore
Rodney Hunter

Maybes:
Greg Bryant
Dave Reneke
xelasnave

If I've forgotten anything or anyone, let me know.

Here's a few pics of the field (heavily compressed):

Where you enter from Greta Road.


Where you go down through the trees.


The field (looking northeastish):


The field (looking southwestish):


Last edited by iceman; 05-05-2005 at 10:01 AM.
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  #2  
Old 12-04-2005, 06:57 AM
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iceman (Mike)
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Moved wayne to the 'definites' list.

Added a paragraph about rainy/cloudy weather.

Oh and I'll bring more stickers along to the May event, if there's anyone there who still wants some (and presuming I still have some left).
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  #3  
Old 12-04-2005, 10:31 AM
ausastronomer (John Bambury)
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Mike and all,

I have just realised that I am unable to attend on the 7th May, which is a great disappointment to me and my 8yr old, who was coming for the early part of the night.

Yesterday, I received an invite to a surprise 50th birthday party for my best friend of 30 years. I was really looking forward to attending on the 7th as I think it will be a great night with even more people and with some larger aperture scopes than we had last Saturday. Unfortunately, I can't risk upsetting a friend of 30 years for 1 nights observing, as my wife said, "you can play telescopes anytime (she doesn't understand) but Bob will only turn 50 once !!".

Sorry about that guys (and gals) but hopefully I can attend the next Kulnura Star Party in July. Not sure if I can get to Wiruna in June.

CS-John B
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  #4  
Old 12-04-2005, 11:06 AM
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iceman (Mike)
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Sorry to hear it John. We'll miss your pentax's.. I mean, we'll miss you

We'll do it again for sure.
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  #5  
Old 13-04-2005, 08:45 PM
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Rodstar (Rod)
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I wonder if we co-ordinated star parties across Australia and NZ on the same night, we could lay claim for the purposes of the Guiness Book of Records as the "largest" star party ever??

How about you folks outside of NSW have a party on the same night?

Rod
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  #6  
Old 14-04-2005, 08:11 AM
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[1ponders] (Paul)
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There is already one on in NZ at Lake Taupo being organized by Bobby et al. The Aussies will be well represented.

I like the idea of being in the Guiness Book. If it is possible to organise nights on the 7th for ppl in WA, SA, Vic, NT, QLD as well as NSW and NZ maybe we could go for the "Most Spread Out Star Party for a Group" And if someone in each group had a laptop with internet connection each group could keep intouch, descibing what they were looking at etc etc Blah Blah.....you get the idea.
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  #7  
Old 17-04-2005, 08:09 AM
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seeker372011 (Narayan)
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Mike/Anthony:

inotice you said 240V power is available on site..is it possible to run a line to power a scope?

alternatively can you park close to your scope so you can plug into the car?
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  #8  
Old 17-04-2005, 12:18 PM
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iceman (Mike)
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Re power line, It's possible, i just don't know how many plugs he's got and how many extension leads.

It is certainly possible to park your car close enough, if you choose a spot on the edge of the field. Obviously we don't want cars parked in the middle of the area where noone can walk through.
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  #9  
Old 18-04-2005, 07:51 AM
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iceman (Mike)
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Updated main post with more definites.
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  #10  
Old 18-04-2005, 10:51 AM
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Will attend

I am a newbie to this and would love to attend - will bring wife pllus 6yrs old daughter. Hope we have clear skies...
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  #11  
Old 21-04-2005, 09:10 AM
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iceman (Mike)
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I have updated the main post again..

Start time is now 4pm, not 3pm as earlier suggested.

Added info about what to do when you get there.

Info about the BBQ (and what to bring for it) added.

Any other definites? Louie?

I'll try and get John to see if Andrew and Daniel are definites, and i'll speak to Gary.
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  #12  
Old 21-04-2005, 09:55 AM
ausastronomer (John Bambury)
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Mike,

Get Gary to contact Andrew. They would probably arrive together anyway. I will contact Daniel.

CS-John B
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  #13  
Old 21-04-2005, 10:52 AM
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Hey Mike, can you put me and Le down as a maybe? How long do you think the night will go for?
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  #14  
Old 21-04-2005, 10:58 AM
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iceman (Mike)
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Hey Silvie i've put you (and Le) down as a maybe.

The night will go for as long as you want it to.. It will start at 4pm for the BBQ, but you don't have to arrive until it's dark, it's up to you. And you can leave whenever you want, whether it's 8pm or 2am.

I won't be staying past 12 or 1am, as it's mothersday the next day and the kids will wake me up at 6am too.
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  #15  
Old 21-04-2005, 01:31 PM
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iceman (Mike)
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Moved atalas (louie), Gary Kopff + Mai Tran, and Andrew Murrell to the 'definites' list.
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  #16  
Old 21-04-2005, 07:36 PM
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Rodstar (Rod)
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Can't wait! How cool to have SOOOO many people coming. We'll have to have a group photo before dark!!

Mike, I'm thinking of bringing Jack, and maybe Noah. They can come up in my car, but no way of getting home at a reasonable hour because I am staying until very late!!! Is your family coming in two cars?? Any chance of my fella(s) catching a ride home with Kate??

Rod
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  #17  
Old 25-04-2005, 10:06 AM
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I may be in Sydney that week and hope to turn up if thats ok... I have never been to a star party so it would be my first..
alex
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  #18  
Old 26-04-2005, 03:05 PM
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Anthony hi! Is that the same area we viewed in last month?


Louie
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  #19  
Old 26-04-2005, 03:06 PM
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frogman (Anthony Lord)
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no
different spot same property tho
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  #20  
Old 26-04-2005, 06:34 PM
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frogman (Anthony Lord)
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ill take some more photos tomorow... prettied up the page a bit more.http://my.integritynet.com.au/anthonylord/index.htm
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