South Pacific Star Party, May 2013

[MLParkinson]

Well, better late than never. I finally found the time and motivation to process my data recorded at the South Pacific Star Party (SPSP) last May. I think that I enjoy capturing the data far more than I do processing it. Wiruna is a great place to image the kind of objects which are difficult, if not impossible, to image well from urban locations. E.g., dark and reflection nebulae, and galaxies.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlparkinson/9754652586/

The SPSP is a terrific event. However, for some of us, it is a shame star party does not last an entire week. It is a lot of effort packing all the gear, and then driving for many hours for just a few dark nights. I imagine visitors from overseas would also prefer a week long star party to help reduce the risk of cloudy night blues.

[RickS]

Nice shots, Murray! What gear did you use? The shot of LDN173 looks to be about the same FOV as my Tak FSQ-106ED with STL11K camera - I imaged the same area myself at the Qld Astrofest in 2012.

Cheers,
Rick.

[MLParkinson]

Thanks Rick. The telescopic shots were using a Televue 85 mm refractor at f/5.6 and a QSI683wsg camera. I would love to do a Qld Astrofest one day, but it is a hell of a long drive from where I live.

[Irish stargazer]

Very nice work Murray. Well done:thumbsup:

[Larryp]

Nice images, Murray :thumbsup:

[gregbradley]

A very good series of images. I liked those.

Greg.

[hotspur]

Beautiful images,very well done,congrats on getting out to a dark sky locations,its a wonderful feeling looking up at that!

[MLParkinson]

Thanks for your kind words. It was hard work recording all of that data in 2 and half nights, but worth it.

[strongmanmike]

Wow Murray, all excellent shots!

What a nice thing, to be able to bring back memories of what was a great SPSP all these months later :thumbsup:

Yeah be good if SPSP was a bit longer but three nights isn't too bad plus there is no reason why you couldn't just stay a few days longer, usually several others stay on..?

Mike

[RobF]

Very natural processing. Some beautiful wide field work there! :thumbsup:

[multiweb]

All excellent shots indeed Murray. Fantastic collection. :thumbsup: Rho widefield is my fav. Nice framing.

[MLParkinson]

Thanks for the tip Mike. I guess I am naïve. I thought that I had to leave because I don’t have the necessary Wiruna accreditation. May be next year I will put in a leave application for the Monday and Tuesday following the meeting. I guess if I am asked to leave, then I can always go walking in the mountains. Cheers.

[Ross G]

Hi Murray,

Great looking photos.

Wiruna is a great spot for imaging.

Ross.