With the weather issues of 2017 at Bango now behind us it is time to start planning for TA#4......
Allan has kindly offered his second home for the event
Having visited Allan's DarkSky Lodge last year, I can vouch for its fantastic observing conditions.
In fact I was able to see Polarissima Australis (NGC2573) easily, but more amazingly, the two faint sister galaxies were also seen.
Apparently the taller trees around the property have now shrunk to allow even better views of the magnificent night sky....
Look forward to seeing a large gathering......
I will leave to Allan to fill in the details of date and time
The rules are simple:
1.You must be prepared to relax and enjoy the magnificent night sky
2.You need not own a Takahashi, but if you do, then please bring it
3.If you have some nice red wine we encourage you to bring it.......
4.Extremely bright head torches will be taped over......
5.See Rule 1 again
Matt, very tempting, especially since Tak-less folks are welcome. Are imagers allowed? I have some basic knowledge of the location, since the dozer was through the place is there room to park my camper. Since Bundy roams, I assume I can bring Toby (the Lab).
Matt, very tempting, especially since Tak-less folks are welcome. Are imagers allowed? I have some basic knowledge of the location, since the dozer was through the place is there room to park my camper. Since Bundy roams, I assume I can bring Toby (the Lab).
Hello Glen,
I will leave it to our generous host Allan Wade to expand on the accommodation options but he has promised to clear the driveway overhangs for my motorhome which is 2.5m wide, 3.3m high and 7m long
Imaging is fine with us ..... It is a very friendly casual gathering
Let's build this up and get some interest going for a big event. I thought opening it up to everyone, providing you're a decent human, is a good idea. I have so much space, I can set up a roped off area for non Takahashi observers. Plus I can make a 10x10 space off in the bush for anyone who wants to do that imaging stuff.
I won't generally be opening up the party to pets, with some exceptions.
To encourage people to make the journey, I propose we start observing on Thursday for three nights. More chance of some decent observing that way, and if we get clouded out at some stage, please see Matts initial post, re the Red Wine.
Temperature wise, it's probably too hot to consider holding the party in the summer. I think we should look towards March as the next opportunity to run the event.
As an ex-Coolah resident, please count me in. I'll have to stencil the Takahashi symbol on my "off road" dob mount first though! (PS freezer suits are probably the order of the day in March!)
At the risk of upsetting the applecart and to preserve some respect for the essence and spirit of the original founding "Tak Attack" event (and founder), may I ask that this Coolah Star Party be called just that?
Tak Attack was established for a Takahashi owner/user gatering. To now change this allowing any scope whatsoever is no longer Tak Attack.
Call it Coolah Star Party by any means, but stealing the name Tak Attack for what is now a not exclusively Takahashi event is watering it down just a touch. It's not snobbishness or clique - it's just maintaining the essence of what Tak Attack is - a gathering of Tak owner-users.
Hate that all you like, but it'd be like celebrating Easter and Christmas together, because, hey, they are all relgious events, right?
At the risk of upsetting the applecart and to preserve some respect for the essence and spirit of the original founding "Tak Attack" event (and founder), may I ask that this Coolah Star Party be called just that?
Tak Attack was established for a Takahashi owner/user gatering. To now change this allowing any scope whatsoever is no longer Tak Attack.
Call it Coolah Star Party by any means, but stealing the name Tak Attack for what is now a not exclusively Takahashi event is watering it down just a touch. It's not snobbishness or clique - it's just maintaining the essence of what Tak Attack is - a gathering of Tak owner-users.
Hate that all you like, but it'd be like celebrating Easter and Christmas together, because, hey, they are all relgious events, right?
In this instance I’d have to agree......especially if the idea is to attract a larger and broader group of attendees for the event......a more general title might be better.
Nice photo Matt, you have all the main ingredients there.
I never intended this event to be a general star party, but rather a continuation of the idea first conceived by Matt, Phil and myself. It's an honour to host the continuation of that tradition, while inviting others along who may wish to observe through some of the finest Takahashi's ever made.
Nice photo Matt, you have all the main ingredients there.
I never intended this event to be a general star party, but rather a continuation of the idea first conceived by Matt, Phil and myself. It's an honour to host the continuation of that tradition, while inviting others along who may wish to observe through some of the finest Takahashi's ever made.
I think the picture has all bases covered Allan Amazing how enjoyable a banana lounge, pair of binoculars and some coffee and port can be
Hopefully the Weather Gods will play ball..... (if not, then there's always April ...)
I think the title is the correct one. Not all Takahashi enthusiasts can actually afford one or find one to try out before opening their wallets.....
This is an opportunity to promote that which we all know and enthuse about!
(and an extra bottle of red never goes astray... glug glug )
Roll on TakAttack#4.....
Looking at the size comparison... I wonder what would happen if you mounted the FOA inside the TSA? Higher aperture longer focal ratio planetary scope!?!
Kudos for your efforts here and the welcoming approach by sharing your Taks. As it turns out I have had the privilege of observing extensively with an FS102 that belongs to a friend of mine. I sincerely mean the "privileged" part in describing the experience.
I can abide by your five rules, particularly #1. I'm going to try to make it.