Trans-Tasman Symposium on Occultations - The 8th

[DaveGee]

The Eighth Trans-Tasman Symposium on Occultations (TTSO8) will be held over Easter 2014, in conjunction with the 26th National Australian Convention of Amateur Astronomers (NACAA).

TTSO8 will feature reviews of recent occultation activity and results, data reduction methods and techniques, updated information on equipment, and sessions devoted to the practical needs of both new and more advanced observers.

TTSO8 is expected to draw wide attendance from occultation observers throughout Australia and New Zealand. The organisers also welcome the attendance and participation of observers from Asia, Europe and the Americas.

NACAA XXVI will be held in Melbourne, Australia, hosted by the Astronomical Society of Victoria. TTSO8 attendees are encouraged to also attend some or all of the NACAA events. More information on the NACAA meeting is available on its website;
http://www.nacaa.org.au/ (wlmailhtml:{80B1B087-73FE-468C-87F5-3F91A512A1FE}mid://00000250/!x-usc:http://www.nacaa.org.au/)

TTSO8's technical sessions will be split across the weekend. At this stage, the TTSO8 schedule is not finalised. The bulk of the
presentations will occur on Sunday and Monday April 20-21, with a 1/2 day workshop on Friday April 18 specifically oriented towards the novice observer whishing to "Get Into" occultation observing but have not known how or who to ask. Here is your chance!

Information on the TTSO8 meeting will be posted to the RASNZ Occultation Section website: http://occultations.org.nz/.

Registrations will be done via the NACAA website.

The organisers would now also like to invite presentations for both the TTSO8 and NACAA meetings.:welcome:

- Proposals for TTSO8 should include a title, brief abstract and requested duration and be sent to the TTSO8 organiser, Dave Gault: ttso8@nacaa.org.au (wlmailhtml:{80B1B087-73FE-468C-87F5-3F91A512A1FE}mid://00000250/!x-usc:mailto:ttso8@nacaa.org.au).

- Presentations for the main NACAA meeting should be submitted via the NACAA website: http://www.nacaa.org.au/2014/submission (wlmailhtml:{80B1B087-73FE-468C-87F5-3F91A512A1FE}mid://00000250/!x-usc:http://www.nacaa.org.au/2014/submission)

The RASNZ Occultation Section is looking forward to welcoming participants to the Eighth Trans-Tasman Symposium on Occultations.

You can watch this space for more info... :thumbsup:

Regards
Dave Gault
TTSO8 Convenor

[DaveGee]

The letter (see .pdf file below) was sent to all known Astronomical Societies and groups in Australia and New Zealand.

If your Secretary has not made you aware of this letter and hence the message contained within please (on my behalf) poke him/her in the ribs. :lol:

Apart from trying to spread the word about NACAA XXVI and TTSO8, there is an offer to download an Occultation Sampler Power Point Presentation that is intended to be shown at meetings. However as an individual, please feel free to download, view and pass on.

see you in Melbourne - Easter 2014

TTSO8 Convenor :thumbsup:

[DaveGee]

The programme for TTSO8 is coming together and is interlaced through the NACAA programme, which is available at;
http://www.nacaa.org.au/2014/programme

TTSO8 occurs on:
- Friday, 18th April 2014, Getting Started with Occultations Workshop. See...
http://www.nacaa.org.au/2014/event/1300

- Sunday Afternoon, 20th April, Room B activities.
Five occultation orientated presentations that are part of the NACAA parallel program and as such separate TTSO8 registration is NOT required to attend these presentations.

- Monday, 21st April, TTSO8 Main Program.
The program is currently being organised and sorted and I'll update this notice once it is ready.

Of course you are :welcome: to register for NACAA-XXVI and TTSO8 at:
http://www.nacaa.org.au/2014/register

[DaveGee]

The programme for TTSO8 is pretty much finalised and is available at...
http://www.nacaa.org.au/2014/programme

TTSO8 occurs on:
- Friday Afternoon, 18th April 2014, Getting Started with Occultations Workshop.
http://www.nacaa.org.au/2014/event/1300

- Sunday Afternoon, 20th April, Room B activities.
Five occultation orientated presentations that are part of the NACAA parallel program and as such separate TTSO8 registration is NOT required to attend these presentations.

- Monday, 21st April, TTSO8 Main Program.
http://www.nacaa.org.au/2014/event/1246

I wish to encourage anybody interested in attending to book a seat ASAP for NACAA-XXVI and/or TTSO8 because places are rapidly filling. Don't miss out...:sadeyes:

Please register at:
http://www.nacaa.org.au/2014/register

[Wavytone]

Dave, thanks for the heads-up - but note internet forums such as this one has made astro societies an irrelevant anachronism. NACAA ? Pass... been there done that.

[DaveGee]

From the NACAA General Secretary...
Hi all
My apologies to those who have already registered for NACAA XXVI. Thank you, and I'm looking forward to seeing you in Melbourne next Easter.
And apologies to those of you who have decided that they can't attend this time. I look forward to catching up with you at some future NACAA.

This email is for the rest of you: people who are thinking of attending NACAA XXVI but haven't registered yet.
We have a great programme (wlmailhtml:{80B1B087-73FE-468C-87F5-3F91A512A1FE}mid://00000160/!x-usc:http://www.nacaa.org.au/2014/programme). We've kept the prices as low as possible. We are offering great value for money.
Our prices have to go up after Friday, so you have two days left to register, or pay more. Don't miss out.
And remember, this email is only going to the NACAA members from 2014 or earlier. If you have friends who haven't been to a NACAA, remind them that they have till Friday to register, or face the dire consequences! Spread the word.
Thanks to all of you for your past and future support of NACAA. I hope I'll see all of you in Melbourne at Easter.
Cheers,
Steve.

[Blue Skies]

For those old-fashioned types like me that find conferences where you actually meet people and hear them talk interesting, you might be interested to know the the occultation components of NACAA are going to be webcast during the weekend. This includes the Getting Started workshop on the Friday afternoon, The Sunday afternoon talks and all of the TTSO8 program on the Monday. Information and instructions for joining in will be posted on this page http://www.occultations.org.nz/meetings/TTSO8/TTSO8.htm from the 17th on.