IISAC2010: 7th-10th October, 2010!

iceman (Mike) · #1 07-04-2010, 06:26 AM

It's now only 6 months to go until IISAC2010! Now in our 5th year, IISAC2010 is the IceInSpace Astro Camp - a star party held at Lostock, in the beautiful Hunter Valley region in NSW.

This year, it's taking place from the 7th-10th October, 2010 - which is the last weekend of the October school holidays (for NSW) on the Thursday/Friday/Saturday nights. Come for 1 or 2 nights, or all 3!

Make sure you put the date in your calendars, plan your annual leave and start dropping hints with your partner and family

Keep an eye on the IISAC2010 page for more information and updates over the coming months:
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/iisac

I hope to see you there!

h0ughy (David) · #2 07-04-2010, 07:25 AM

LOL i booked my leave yesterday.

Mighty_oz (Marcus) · #3 07-04-2010, 10:22 AM

Sounds great getting my leave booked as well, any ideas as to estimates as to the accomadation prices ? ( what was last years ? )
Thanks.

circumpolar (Matt) · #4 14-04-2010, 05:43 PM

I'm in. Can't wait.
Looking forward to hearing Fred Watson speak.

Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin) · #5 15-04-2010, 01:58 AM

yep, request in the request book at work: now how many sleeps is it to go???

iceman (Mike) · #6 09-07-2010, 06:44 AM

Only 3 months to go now!

The booking page will be online in the next day or so. I look forward to seeing everyone there!

iceman (Mike) · #7 09-07-2010, 06:48 AM

The amazing Professor Fred Watson and the very talented astrophotographer Phil Hart are both confirmed as guest speakers!

iceman (Mike) · #8 09-07-2010, 07:19 AM

Ok I got it finished faster than I thought

The booking page is now open. Submit your booking early and receive the early-bird discount.

Click on the registration form link on the IISAC2010 info page.

I look forward to seeing you there!

sheeny (Al) · #9 09-07-2010, 07:25 AM

My leave has been booked for a while (as is approved)

... I just have to arrange a swap for my on call week which interferes now that someone left work and the roster was rearranged...

I'm hoping to be feeling a LOT better than last year!

(For those who don't know I had a nasty flu while at IISAC last year

)

Al.

iceman (Mike) · #10 31-07-2010, 11:22 AM

Only just over 2 months to go! I hope to see some new and familiar faces at IISAC this year!

chrisp9au (Chris) · #11 31-07-2010, 11:44 AM

G'day Mike,

All booked!
Happy to help out, as per last year.

Cheers

Chris

montewilson (Monte) · #12 31-07-2010, 08:23 PM

I'll be coming - already booked!

Looking forward to it.

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #13 31-07-2010, 09:16 PM

I have been to every ISAAC so far, but unfortunately with a new job and a family move to the NSW South Coast, I will not be able to make it this year. I will definately be there next year.

Cheers,
John B

Allan_L (Allan) · #14 06-08-2010, 01:30 PM

Hi Mike,

I am intending to come to IISAC again this year (of course).
but am tossing up between the accommodation options.

So, I was wondering, and I know others are too.
Why is it more expensive to camp (in own facilities) then to stay in the bunkhouse.?

Hope you don't mind my asking on public forum?

I am sure there is a really sensible reason, but curious. And it is probably good to put it out there, I thought.

thanks

iceman (Mike) · #15 06-08-2010, 02:54 PM

Hi Allan
Partly it's related to what I get charged by the scouts, and partly it's to try and make it a bit more economical for families or husband/wives who will share the camping accommodation.

Only 2 months to go now! I hope to see some more bookings coming in soon!

The Mekon (John Briggs) · #16 08-08-2010, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Allan_L

Hi Mike,

So, I was wondering, and I know others are too.
Why is it more expensive to camp (in own facilities) then to stay in the bunkhouse.?

Hope you don't mind my asking on public forum?

I am sure there is a really sensible reason, but curious. And it is probably good to put it out there, I thought.

thanks

this is the question I was asking. As many of the attendees are likely to be singles (my wife is happy for me to go, but would never come with me!), it is a bit steep asking to pay more to camp. Is the turf that sacred?

So one could pitch a marquee with beds for 200 and only pay $15??

I know the amount is only a pittance - I could afford to pay it a hundred tiomes over, but its the principle that galls.

iceman (Mike) · #17 09-08-2010, 01:52 PM

I'm sorry you feel that way John.

Running a star party is a huge risk for me. I have to pay a lot of money upfront hoping that sufficient people register so that I can break even.

I know it's not a "bargain rate", but surely it's affordable and reasonable for a camping spot where you can park at your door, set your telescope up at your door, and have hot and cold water, toilets and showers and other facilities at hand.

The fact that the bunkhouses are $5 cheaper should not be part of the equation of whether you come or what accommodation you want. It's whether you want to sleep in a bunkbed in a room with others. Some people will want that (convenience), some people won't (snoring, personal space, not close to telescope, etc).

alistairsam · #18 10-08-2010, 02:06 PM

Hi,
Its my first time and definitely hoping to make it, first year in astronomy too.
hope to bring the family along.
luckily work is paying for the travel to sydney. will make my way from there.

rogerg (Roger) · #19 10-08-2010, 04:02 PM

I hope to come to this one year, but not this time. Will be in Paris at that time instead

poor viewing from there I bet. Maybe next year.

Octane (Humayun) · #20 10-08-2010, 04:12 PM

Hoping to make it back again this year. Very skint on annual leave at the moment, waa waa!

Roger, lucky you. If I had the choice, I'd be in Paris, too! Great place. : )

H