Border Stargaze 2014

[The Unbeliever]

Greetings all,

I have the pleasure of announcing that Border Stargaze 2014 will be during New Moon 23-26 October 2014. The new owners of the Great Aussie Holiday Park located 30 minutes North of Albury are excited about our return to Wymah.

Our adult registration fee is unchanged although there has been a very minor increase in the accommodation rates for 2014.

The event will be held from Thursday 23rd to Sunday 26th October 2014 you can however book a longer stay eg from Monday 20th. The move to October will give us more opportunity for observing nights.

Due to the problems we had last year with our website our online registration page is no longer available we will however have an online form for you to complete.

To register for the Border Stargaze visit our website at asaw.org.au or email me at borderstargaze@iprimus.com.au.

[The Unbeliever]

Registrations for BSG 2014 are beginning to roll in. Apart from some of our regulars we are seeing some new names.

At this stage the ASAW website is pretty basic but we have our sites on the next generation, this week we will be finalising our plans for the new website which should be up and running within 4 weeks.

I am looking forward to posting updates on BSG and the terrific year we had in 2013 during science week. While we didn't get to do BSG last year our science week effort hit the roof with just over 13,500 people participating in a variety of ASAW events.

It's good to be back!:welcome:

[The Unbeliever]

Hi everyone

Our society website is back up and running. We still have a few pages to add and more information regarding Border Stargaze. At this stage I am still taking bookings for the star party via the following email address: borderstargaze@iprimus.com.au

Our website is http://www.asaw.org.au/

Getting their slowly.

Cheers

Dave

PS bookings this year are well on track, still room for more.

[Jen]

Hey I'm just curious how u go about holding these camps at a holiday park do u take over the whole site or is it open for other people staying there too ? And do they turn all the lights off for you there or is there still lights on around the place at all times.
I'm looking at a place hear near swan hill and they say they can't turn off all light for security purposes does this apply to u too and if not how do you get around it ?
Oh and one more question :) hahaha if I just decided at the last minute to crash your party :p could I just turn up for one night to say g'day to you all or do I have to book something I never sleep at these things so I wouldnt need a bed anyway hahaha....... :lol:

[Nebulator2570]

Hi all just wondering where about is the border stargaze this year i try accessing the web link but it wont open for me..

If someone kind enough to email me the information would be great

claude2570@yahoo.co.uk

I like to go this year as i have miss the south pacific star party and looking forward to going to some others this year, like Lockstok IIS party in the hunter valley and some others i hope to get there too.

so anyone can you guys help please

claude:)

[The Unbeliever]

Hi Jen,

Thanks for the interest, I have just sent a private message.

Cheers

Dave

[The Unbeliever]

Hi Claude

You can reach me through my email borderstargaze@iprimus.com.au regarding booking or information on Border Stargaze. The event is run at the Great Aussie Holiday Park near Albury NSW.

Cheers

Dave

[astro_nutt]

Hi Dave.
Looking forward to making the trip and catching up. Family and friends will tag along.
Cheers!

[The Unbeliever]

Hi Norm,

Just preparing your invoice now. Can't wait to catch up with the family, we have a few surprises in store for the trivia night.

Cheers

Dave

[byronpaul]

Booking completed, and payment sent.

Really looking forward to my 1st Border Star Gaze.

Paul

[astro_nutt]

Hi Paul.
This is my 6th BSG, and it gets better each time. Lot of talks, and demo's by distinguished guests. Great food. A huge cosy fire pit in the main Hall to sit around and relax, or chat away. Lots of bargains to be had from astro suppliers and the like, and with any luck, wine! The trivia night is truly an experience!! A huge inclined observing field for those doing viewing or the tennis court for those into astrophotography. Add to this the friendly atmosphere by those attending makes it complete!
Cheers!

[byronpaul]

Thanks for the heads up ..... Sounds too good to be true :thumbsup:

Really looking forward to it and meeting some new folk that share this incredible interest. Want to start packing now but it's still 10 weeks away.

I'll only going visual, bring along my 18" SDM and planning to give it a thorough workout. A know a few of the imaging guys going, and will venture over to catch-up with them each night as well.

Guessing the Visitor's Pack which comes out before the event has more details on the activities, food, etc.

I'm a regular Snake Valley attendee, but this will be a new experience.

Praying for 3 nights of incredible skies :prey2:

Paul

[Farscape]

Hi Dave

With Border getting closer, is there any details on the program yet???

Looking forward to some great viewing and the trivia night with surprises :D

See you soon
Linda

[astro_nutt]

Hi Linda! I heard they have a bigger tractor this year!

[Farscape]

Norm - I hope so, I have a bigger car!!

[byronpaul]

What's the Trivia Night ..... isn't everybody out under the stars at night :question:

Paul

[Farscape]

Hi Paul

There is generally a trivia quiz before everyone goes out to their telescopes. It is hilarous and everyone has a great time and loads of laughs.

See you there
Linda

[glend]

Considering attendance. I noticed on the caravan park website that they are pet friendly, is the event pet friendly (an old Lab with bad hips who can't be left at home).

Secondly, given that is it held at a caravan park, how do you avoid substantial light pollution? Is there some agreement with the park to have area and facility lighting turned off?

[astro_nutt]

Hi Glen. The park will extinguish all of the exterior lighting facing the observing field and tennis courts. Red lights will be placed along pathways and into the toilet/shower block. Some stray light might peek out from the Hall so position yourself in a blind spot. The only other light source is the glow from Albury/Wodonga 30 clicks away. The eastern sky is magic! Cheers!

[alistairsam]

hi
I'm intrigued and might try and come, sounds interesting.
how dark are skies out there?

Cheers
Alistair

[byronpaul]

Alistair,

come on mate .... commit :lol:

Heard from a few SV regulars that said skies are very good, but probably not quite Vic South. As long as weather plays the game, we should have damn good conditions

Location's pretty good and Rutherglen only 30min drive so I'll be doing a few wineries as well as I have to top up all my bulk fortifieds.

Visual and Imaging are set up in 2 different areas and the Caravan Park is 100% booked to the event.

All sounds great to me!!!!

Paul

[The Unbeliever]

Norm you have a way with words. I couldn't have said it better myself!

[The Unbeliever]

Hi Linda, still working on the program still have a guest speaker to confirm and a few minor things and I will forward it to guests. Cheers Dave

[The Unbeliever]

Hi Glen yep the park is now pet friendly. With regards to the lights we swap for red globes where we can and the managers generally disable a few lights that are on a timer. We do the best we can, and the observing field is in a good spot.

[The Unbeliever]

The best reading we have had is 6 magnitude.

[astro_nutt]

Only 5 more weeks to go! Those thinking of going should book ASAP.

[The Unbeliever]

Hi Everyone,

Well we are nearly there! Only a few more weeks to go and we will all meet again at Border Stargaze. Today I have confirmed our guests Speakers:
Dr Stefan Kellar, ANU
Rebecca Allen, Swinburne University
Greg Gibbs, Astrophotographer, and
Roger Davis, Roger's Optic and Restorations
Miles Allen, Trivia night and...............

More info to follow ;)

[The Unbeliever]

Awesome I can now confirm that Peter Read SDM telescopes will be joining us for Border Stargaze.

This year I would like everyone to have a heads up on the theme of our trivia night and hope that you all get into the spririt (so to speak) of the proceedings... you can dress up, talk the lingo, regurgitate your favourite episode, character or just simply enjoy participating in the Dr Who themed trivia extravanganza!

If you haven't booked in already contact me at borderstargaze@iprimus.com.au

[multiweb]

Another great time spent at BSG. Big thanks to David and Petra for juggling everything right to the finish line and organise once again a top notch event. Good skies, great fun, company and food. Looking forward to the next one. I encourage anyone to experience BSG. You're missing out. :thumbsup:

[astro_nutt]

Ditto Marc. On behalf of my family and friends, we wish to thank David and Petra, Miles Allen, the ASAW, Brownie and Co, the good folk at The Great Aussie Holiday Park, plus all our friends. It was great to see you all again and will be back next year!

[The Unbeliever]

Hi Marc

The event this year is way up on my list! The weather wow the weather, never have I seen a BSG where everyone is still wearing t-shirts and shorts after midnight. Even the 3 minute rain was a welcome experience to a BSG event 'what would it be without a little rain'.

Seriously good fun, some serious observing and terrific company! BSG wouldn't be a success without the people that are there.

Thanks again...

Next year dates are 8th - 11th October there it's out there!:thumbsup:

[The Unbeliever]

Norm

BSG wouldn't be the same without you, your family and friends and all of the regular BSGers... The astrolabe that was simply incredible, your fine work is well regarded.

On behalf of those mentioned in your kind words below I thank you!

:thanx:

[The Unbeliever]

Well would you believe it, the dust hasn't settled on Border Stargaze and we have our first guest speaker for 2015!

Rebecca enjoyed her time with us so much that Prof Karl Glazebrook has agreed to be our keynote speaker for next year...

Miles, Geordie and April are planning the trivia night and... well you will just have to wait and see what we have in store for BSG 2015!

It just keeps getting better ;)

[CapturingTheNight]

I had better add my own thanks to everyone involved in BSG 2014. Even though I am a member of the Astronomical Society of Albury Wodonga this was my first BSG and I enjoyed it greatly. It was an honor to be chosen as a guest speaker and I hope my ramblings on nightscape photography was not too boring. So huge thanks to Dave and Petra for all their hard work in organising and running the event; the other members of ASAW who helped out with running the event; Rebecca, Roger, and Peter for their talks; Brownie and crew for the catering; Wymah holiday park for the venue; Miles, Geordie and April for one of the most entertaining trivia nights I have ever been too (oh and Geordie- you can keep my fez because "fezzes are cool"), and last but not least all the attendees. Hope to see you all again next year along with heaps of new faces as well.

Have attached the group photo from Saturday.
172350



Sounds great. Can't wait for the next one already.

[multiweb]

Good stuff. Do you have a highres Greg, and can we repost?

[CapturingTheNight]

Absolutely, please feel free to share or use as you please Marc.

Have uploaded the full size jpeg to Sendspace and can be downloaded at the following link:https://www.sendspace.com/file/ctuptg
Just make sure you click the "click here to start download from sendspace" button, and not the numerous "download" ads. (Link will expire in a few days so best to grab it as soon as possible)

Cheers

[multiweb]

Cool - downloaded :thumbsup:

[Hagar]

Good to see some of you there. Unfortunately I ended up sick and travelled home on Saturday Morning only to end up in hospital for the week. I did have a few days there before the weekend which proved to be a nice break.
Thanks to David and Petra and hopefully I will see you there next year.