Announcement: IISAC2007 - IceInSpace AstroCamp

[iceman (Mike)]

This is the official thread for IISAC2007 - IceInSpace AstroCamp.

All questions and discussions can go in there.

IISAC2007 is a star party being held over 3 nights (Thu/Fri/Sat) from January 18th-21st 2007 at Lostock, in the Hunter Valley of NSW.

All IISAC information, including dates, where it is, how to get there, sponsors, lucky door prizes, agenda, guest speakers, things to know, things to bring, rules etc, can be found on the official IISAC page:

IISAC2007 - IceInSpace AstroCamp

At time of writing (13th September 2006), not all details are finalised so the page has some placeholders. The page will be updated as information comes to hand, and this thread will be updated as well. So please keep checking back for more announcements and information.

Lucky Door Prizes

Thanks to the generous sponsors of IISAC2007, we will have the following up for grabs in the Lucky Door Prize Competition: (list will be updated as more sponsors come on board)

• An Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer - sponsored by Wildcard Innovations (valued at $599)
• A SkyWatcher 880 10" dob, sponsored by MyAstroShop (valued at $1000)
• An FLI DF-2 digital focuser, sponsored by Finger Lakes Instrumentation (valued at $1400)
• A pair of Optex 20x80 Giant Binoculars - sponsored by Astronomy Online (valued at $795)
• A copy of STAR Atlas PRO - Advanced Edition (Level 3) - sponsored by SKY Lab: Astronomy Software (valued at $149)
• David Malin prints - sponsored by David Malin Images
• 2 copies of Deep-Sky Planner software - sponsored by Knightware
• 3 copies of CopyToDVD software - sponsored by VSO Software
• 2 $50 gift vouchers, sponsored by Jump Internet (valued at $50.00 each).
• 2nd hand (mint condition) copy of Observing handbook and Catalogue of deep-space objects, sponsored by Gecko Optical Classifieds (valued at $30)
• Bauer Deluxe Laser Collimator, sponsored by Astro-Optical Supplies (valued at $129.95)
• Set of Bintel Superview Eyepieces, sponsored by Bintel (valued at $199)
• 3 sets of Australian Sky & Telescope Magazine 1-yr Subscription + S&T Pocket Sky Atlas, sponsored by Australian Sky & Telescope (valued at $85 each)
• A 13mm KK Magellan widescan eyepiece, a gift from Remus Chua and his Singapore friends! (valued at ~$220)

Agenda

IISAC2007 Agenda (45k pdf)


Guest Speakers

The following guest speakers have donated their time and will give talks at IISAC2007 (list will be updated as it is finalised):

• "Darkroom Magic to Digital Manipulation" by David Malin
• "SETI and Radio Astronomy in Australia" by Noel Welstead
• "Building a Large Aperture Dobsonian - some secrets revealed" by Peter Read
• "What's it like to be an Umbra-Holic" by Dave Gault
• "From Wide Eyes to an Astrograph - the making of an Astrophotographer" by Mike Sidonio
• "Importance of Thermal Cooling and Building a Cooling Mirror Cell" by Anthony Wesley
• "Wolf-Rayet Stars" by Andrew Murrell
• "What's in the sky at Lostock" by John Bambury

Forms and Policies
The forms, policies and maps for IISAC2007 are now online, including:

• Light Use Policy
• General Field Policy
• Acknowledgement and Disclaimer
• How to Get There (other broader maps are available on the IISAC page)

Rules

Please ensure you read the very important rules regarding IISAC2007, including rules regarding the swimming hole, payment details, late payment and cancellation fees. The rules are outlined on the IISAC2007 page, before the location pictures at the bottom of the page.


IISAC2007 T-Shirts

Information about the IISAC2007 T-Shirts, including sizes available and costs, is now available on the IISAC2007 info page.
T-Shirts can be ordered with your IISAC2007 booking, or even if you're not coming to the event you can still order some t-shirts by filling out the booking form on the IISAC2007 page. The t-shirts will not be available until late november/early december.


Booking/Registration

The registration form is now live! Please see the IISAC2007 page for costs, and click on the registration form link to submit your booking!
Bunkbed spots are limited, so register early to secure yours!
Special Offer!!! - If you book and pay by the end of November 2006, each attendee in your booking will receive an extra ticket in the lucky door prize draw!!
Offer ends at 23:59 on the 30th November 2006, AEDST.


IISAC2006 was an amazing event enjoyed by all who attended. It's expected that IISAC2007 will be just as good, if not even better! I hope to see you there!

Feel free to ask any questions or make comments about IISAC2007 in this thread.

[iceman (Mike)]

As with IISAC2006, there will be IISAC2007 T-Shirts available.

You'll be able to pre-order on the booking form, but there will also be some available at the camp. It's recommended to pre-order using the booking/registration form, as you'll be assured of securing the sizes and quantity you want.

It also helps to make sure I get enough made up!

Thanks to Alan Meehan for providing and printing the great looking t-shirts.

The logo for IISAC2007 was designed by mojo and myself, modified from the original IISAC2006 design done by Theo Atalasidis.

The attachment shows a mockup of how the shirts will look. Cost is expected to be approx $20 each, but is yet to be finalised and is subject to change.

You can see how the IISAC2006 shirts look by clicking on the 2nd attachment, showing me at Lostock! Photo by Paul Mayo.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Not sure if I'll be able to make it next year Mike but I'll sure try. I definately want one of those shirts though.

[matt]

Yep. Definitely put me down for one of those T-Shirts. They look great!

[ving (David)]

i'll go a t-shirt!

I get looks from all the girls in my 06 one
damn sexy it is!

[iceman (Mike)]

I hope matt and dave are actually coming to the star party too, this time!!

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by iceman

I hope matt and dave are actually coming to the star party too, this time!!

I hope Dave brings Astrobelle we need some one to eat the grass and draw away the bull

[ving (David)]

i dont know how to break this to you houghy.... astrobelle is an internet only cow.

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Originally Posted by ving

i'll go a t-shirt!

I get looks from all the girls in my 06 one
damn sexy it is!

Not sure if i can make the "event" (I've got some overseas travel around that time) but I can agree with ving on the 2006 shirts...

As a recently self proclaimed "fashionista" (or is the male version a "fashionisto") and all around "metrosexual" (and all that implies) I can say with certainty that no self respecting fashion conscience amatuer astronomy should be without this accessory this viewing season.

I'll put my form in for a couple of "full figure" t-shirts for sure!

Cheers!

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by ving

i dont know how to break this to you houghy.... astrobelle is an internet only cow.

with the drought conditions it will probably be virtual grass anyway . But more importantly are you coming

[ving (David)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

with the drought conditions it will probably be virtual grass anyway . But more importantly are you coming

crikey! you going to give me a chance to discuss it with cheryl first????

[David]

Like the T-shirts, Marked down the Date & hope to be there!!

[matt]

All sounds/reads great.

Mike - I'm pretty sure I'll be there. So make sure that rope swing over the water's fully functional!!

[rogerg (Roger)]

Wish I could be there.. but to be honest I'd prefer to put the air fare towards new astro toys I'll have to wait until there's a WA IISAC

Roger.

[iceman (Mike)]

I'll have to wait until there's a WA IISAC

Well you need to rope in some more WA members for IIS then

Shame you can't make it! You'd love the dark skies!

[Sausageman (Mike Boggan)]

Roger,
I agree with Mike.
Get more WA members then you can all charter a flight and get a big discount.

Mike.
Those new shirts are "Astronomical"
Love the new design.
Save 2 Mediums for me.
I will frame one each year, then maybe in ten years I can sell them on Ebay.

Mike

[rogerg (Roger)]

Yeah that would be great guy's... more astronomers in WA ... but with only one astronomy shop and no explosion in population evident any time soon, I don't like our chances....

Roger.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Roger maybe you can start organising the inaugural AAIISAC (All Australia IISAC) for somewhere in the center of Australia. That way everyone has equal distance to travel . I'd be in it.

Maybe one every 2 or 3 years

[iceman (Mike)]

The first post in this thread has been updated with the following information about the Lucky Door Prize Competition and the Guest Speakers.


Lucky Door Prizes

Thanks to the generous sponsors of IISAC2007, we will have the following up for grabs in the Lucky Door Prize Competition: (list will be updated as more sponsors come on board)

• An Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer - sponsored by Wildcard Innovations (valued at $599)
• A copy of STAR Atlas PRO - Advanced Edition (Level 3) - sponsored by SKY Lab: Astronomy Software (valued at $149)
• David Malin prints - sponsored by David Malin Images

Guest Speakers

The final agenda will be posted when available. The following guest speakers have donated their time and will give talks at IISAC2007 (list will be updated as it is finalised):

• "Darkroom Magic to Digital Manipulation" by David Malin
• "SETI and Radio Astronomy in Australia" by Noel Welstead
• "Building a Large Aperture Dobsonian - some secrets revealed" by Peter Read
• "What's it like to be an Umbra-Holic" by Dave Gault
• "From Wide Eyes to an Astrograph - the making of an Astrophotographer" by Mike Sidonio
• "Importance of Thermal Cooling and Building a Cooling Mirror Cell" by Anthony Wesley

[astronut (John)]

I'll see if I can corral some M.A.S. members to make the trip.
Do we have to watch out for "shady" characters like the one on the earlier posts.