Border Stargaze 07

[spacezebra]

Hi there

Discussions are currently underway concerning the possibility of Albury/Wodonga hosting a "Borderstargaze" event in August 07.
:stargaze:
We would be interested to hear your thoughts on the proposal and whether you would be interested in attending.

At this stage we are considering a two day event to be held at the Great Aussie Resort - which has excellent dark skies, three observing fields, accommodation for approx 500 and BBQ/self catering facilities.

Cheers
Petra (Spacezebra), John (Xstream) and Anna

[iceman]

For sure, i'd definitely *try* and be there. I think i'm having a family holiday in June 2007 so it would be tough to say "i'm going away for 3 days" only 2 months later, but i'll definitely *want* to be there :)

Look forward to hearing the developments.

[spacezebra]

Hey Mike

Bring the family as well - we will be looking to promote this as a family event.

Check out the web site
http://www.greataussieresort.com.au/

Cheers Petra

[h0ughy]

mmmmmm your not conflicting with Qld astrofest are you:shrug: . I am needed there to show them that NSW does exist and take the biggest tosser trophy:D :P :lol: .

for two days to travel that far is a bit much, but for a week, thats a different story. I will consult the wife and see if I can convince her to have a holiday in AUgust next year. Would that be in school holiday time?:whistle:

[spacezebra]

Hi David

While it does not "directly" conflict with astrofest, we know that we face some challenges with regard to the timing, particularly with the increasing popularity of "Star Parties" nationally.

Its funny that you mention the timing but we have unknowly aligned it to National Science Week which is Australia's annual celebration of science and technology, which usually runs mid August, which is ideal timing for the event as we would like to ensure that we cater for this with some astro/science activities for all during the daylight hours.

The event will be hosted with a view to cater for the family astro aspect and it would be great if you could bring the whole family.

David, nothing to say that you cant stay longer, David C, has a nice bottle of port handy (plus cheese and bikkies too) if you do.

Watch this forum for more information on Border Stargaze 07.

Cheers Petra

[toetoe]

This sounds like a good idea Petra, let me know if i can help out in any way.

[spacezebra]

Hi Peter

Excellent - thankyou for the post, and all volunteers appreciated. Are you a member of the society here?

We have some very exciting events already lined up, including an international webcast, and a very famous guest - but that will be a surprise for later posts.

(and we have only started planning - phew!)

More later, and as they say "watch this space"

Cheers Petra

[toetoe]

No, only due to my work which makes it hard for me on any Wednesday night.

[Rodstar]

Sounds like a great idea, I would be interested in trying to align my holidays to work in with Border Stargaze 07, to catch up with you guys, and see some dark skies somewhere new. Put me down as keen.

I might bring a couple of little ones as well, and go via the Snowy Mountains. That way, I can fulfill their dream to see snow, which they keep nagging me about.

Good luck with the planning. It's still a long way off, I expect you will get a lot of interest as the time gets nearer. I will encourage those in our Central Coast observing group to give it their serious consideration as the time comes closer.

[spacezebra]

Hi Rod

This is excellent. We will be focusing on a family event so it will be great if you can come. We had such a great time at Wiruna. You are right there Rod, we have so many activities, including the mountains that can be added to your stay in the region. The venue that we are currently negotiating with has excellent facilities, three observing fields and excellent seeing conditions. Planning is going ahead in leaps and bounds and we hope to post more information soon. Society website will be undergoing a total revamp, and the event website and rego pages will be launched later this year.

Dont forget that we are planning an international guest speaker, so watch this space;).

Cheers Petra

[tablemountain]

I'll be there - and I'll bring the 30" with me as well.

[spacezebra]

Whoa! :jawdrop: excellent!

Looking forward to seeing you and the family there.

Cheers Petra

[Starkler]

Sounds interesting :)

Im having trouble loading the resort site to find details though :(

[spacezebra]

Hi Geoff

Keep trying - the tabs look like they dont work - but they do. We will have a chat to the resort and let them know about the site.

We are currently negotiating savings for participants, so basically our prices will be better, than what is quoted on the site. You will be pleasantly surprised:D.

Cheers Petra

[xstream]

Keep watching guys.
This is going to be one exciting event.
The International web cast and International guest speaker are going to blow your socks off. ;)

[Rodstar]

With promises like that, how can I possibly resist?

I have heard about your scope, tablemountain. The legend precedes you. I look forward to the views. BTW, what's the best object you've ever seen through 30"?:D

[tablemountain]

What's not good in a 30"! But seriously probably the detail you can get out of intricate objects like the Veil Nebula (with an Exploation Optics O-III filter of course!), just to see the detail with the resolution you get in a 30" as well as how bright the object becomes. Also being able to see interacting galaxy groupings (without using your imagination) like Hickson 51, Hickson 57 (Copelands Septet) and Stephans Quintet is amazing. Tracking down the further know quasar in the universe (not that it requires a 30" to be seen, but it makes it easier.) And then there's the usual suspects like Eta Carina, M83, M101, Orion, Ring, etc that are just amazingly bright and exhibit such detail. But bear in mind all this requires an 8ft ladder and good skies to enjoy, but I gotta say - it's worth every photon that makes it to your eye!

Rob

[Rodstar]

I would be happy to see any of those objects in 30"!

BTW, did you make the scope yourself, or is it an Obsession, or some other truss dob? What sort of mirror do you have, a Galaxy? I am looking at getting a 20" or 25" Obsession. :eyepop:

[spacezebra]

Hi all

We have just arrived back from our preliminary stayover/observing session at The Great Aussie Resort.

We can report - excellent dark skies, huge observing fields, great facilities and welcoming hosts.

Just a few pics to wet the appetite......16249

16250

16251

16252

16253

16254

[Rodstar]

Site looks perfect, Petra. All else being equal, I am THERE!

Have you firmed upany dates yet? I believe you were planning for sometime in August 2007?

[spacezebra]

Hi there you 20" owner

Firm dates 10, 11 and 12 August 2007, see you there

Cheers Petra

[h0ughy]

mmmmm too many big photon suckers moving south! must resist the temptation. will there be 240V available in the viewing field?

[anthony2302749]

Hi Petra

A picture is worth a thousand words. You guys are doing such a great job turning a simple idea into a going concern. I am looking forward to being there for the first and many more Border Stargaze events.

Anthony

[spacezebra]

Hi hOughy

Because we have so many fields to choose from - we are thinking of a dedicated field just for astrophotography (will check on the power issue - but should not be a problem).

Will post soon to confirm, or John (xstream) may beat me to answer your post.

Thinking of coming:whistle:?

Cheers Petra

[iceman]

The field looks excellent, Petra.

Unfortunately it's unlikely I'll be able to make this one - I already have something booked for June and my family is unlikely to want me gone again only 2 months later. But of course i'll keep it in mind and if things change, i'll be there!

[bird]

Count me in, that's close enough to where I'll be living next year (Murrumbateman, near Yass) that it's only about 3 hours drive.

I'll bring the 13.1", and I'll probably have got around to buying a generator by then so I can get by without mains power, but I'd prefer mains power if it was available.

cheers, Bird

[Mikezoom]

Being only an hour away atm from Albury Murphy's Law steps into the picture again. :mad2:

I am moving to QLD in Feb '07 but would have loved to be able to go to this to finally meet everyone and introduce you all to my 12". Hopefully I can go to one of the numerous get togethers in QLD. Sorry all...... :(:sadeyes:

Mike.B.

[xstream]

Here's a Panorama of the main observing field.

240v will not be a problem, also there are 3 fields to observe from.

[xstream]

Here's some more pic's from around the resort.

[xstream]

The last two of dusk, to wet your appetite.

[iceman]

Wow, nice looking fields. I love the look of Rob's 30" there, too!

[xstream]

The main field in the pano Mike, is huge.
You could setup a at least 800 scopes and still have heaps of room left over.

Yes the 30" always looks nice and I must say the views of the veil, ngc55 and ngc253 through it on Saturday night were magnificent.

[Rodstar]

Any indicative prices at this stage, or have you not advanced the planning that far yet, John/Anna/Petra??

[xstream]

We hope to have the pricing all finalised in the next 2-3 weeks Rod.