Telecope viewing events in Victoria?

[pberrett]

Hi all

I'd like to have the opportunity to go along to an astronomy outdoor event and look through some big scopes (the bigger the better) so that I can see what astronomy is all about.

I'm located in Boronia 30k east of Melbourne. Are there any such events or opportunities in my area in the near future?

cheers Peter

[barx1963]

Snake Valley Astro Camp (see http://ballaratman.wix.com/svaa#!astro-camps ) is on first weekend in Nov. It is a little way away and is near Ballarat, but a very friendly bunch. I will have my 20" dob there ( I am only Frday and Saturday nights at this stage) and I am sure there will be other scope to have a peek through. You must book to camp or stay in cabins, but if only coming for a night and not staying overnight there is no need to book.
We are a friendly bunch, even the imagers are quite pleasant!:P

Malcolm

[Julian]

HI Peter,
if you join the ASV Astronomical Society of Victoria, joining fee about $80, something like that
they have a dark sky site at Heathcote, plus monthly Deep Sky meet up
you can look through their 25 inch Obsession up there, as well as several peoples other scopes, as usually several people turn up with their gear
just being able to use their Dark Sky Site site is well worth the membership anyway
bit closer to Melbourne too

cheers Julian

[mill]

Hi Peter,

Looks like you live close to me (Mount Evelyn).
Snake valley Astro Society also have Monthly meetings every new moon on a Friday.
When you become a member, you can use the observatory whenever you want.
Don't listen to Malcolm, all imagers are nice :P

Martin.

[CarlJoseph]

A little south from where you are, but the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society has public viewing nights on Friday. Might be something you could look into.

http://www.mpas.asn.au/PVN.htm

[pberrett]

That's this Friday and with Eastlink its now an easy drive down to Mornington.

I might head on down there if the weather is favourable this Friday.

cheers Peter

[The_bluester]

There is also Mount Burnett Observatory up in the Dandenongs. They have members nights each Friday with discussions of a more or less formal nature depending on the topic and have a large scope there in the observatory (Though last time I was there it was out of action for some work, a smaller newtonian on a fixed mount and a number of smaller Dobsonian scopes were still in use. I am not sure when the observatory scope is planned to be back in action)

On the odd occasion people will take their own scopes to the members nights too.

[Pinwheel]

I'm thinking of attending the Snake valley in November, my first time.
I already have dark sky's 365 nights a year out here in the Wimmera, so I don't wish to join the club? How much will it cost me to bring a caravan up or as I'm not a member am I excluded?

[niko]

Doug,

you should find all the details here

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=108952

niko

[barx1963]

Hey Doug
The Snake Valley crowd is the least exclusive and friendliest group you could possibly imagine. Although there is a limit on numbers staying, we make all welcome.

Malcolm