ASV/SAAS Nhill Starparty

[Mckechg]

Hi Guys,

have frequented other forums, however I am fairly new here. I am going to the ASV / SASV in Nhill (Vic) 24-27 Oct.

I was wondering if anyone from here was going or had been previously. I have been to a few ASV ones, but just trying to get a feel for this one.

Thanks and clear skies.

g./

[barx1963]

Hi Grant
I went a few years ago (2009 I think it was). Nice accommodation, very dark skies. lots of wildlife about so you have to be aware of roos at night suddenly appearing in your red light. White light restrictions are very strict, but you have been to ASV camps so no different to there. All around very enjoyable weekend I had.

Malcolm

[Rod]

Hi Grant

I went for the first time last year. I am an ASV member too. I found the skies significantly darker than Heathcote. It was very well organised. Nice accommodation and well catered. They even showed a movie the night it was cloudy! The only downsides is that it's a long drive.

I plan to go again this year and have arranged some annual leave days so I can stay longer.

Rod

[Mckechg]

Hi Rod,

my Astro buddy (adrian) and I will be leaving Friday morning and coming back monday. That should give us 3 good nights.

I cant wait.

We have booked the camping + meals option. Wondering if I should have booked a room...

How long you heading up for?

g./

[Rod]

Hi Grant

I plan on being their from Friday to Monday too.

Hope to see you there.

Rod

[stephenb]

Hi Grant,

I'll be there with an astro buddy from Friday until Sunday morning.

[Jen]

When is the nhil star party ?

[barx1963]

Jen
It is 24-27 of October. Homepage is here http://vicsouth.info/vicsouth.htm

Cheers

Malcolm

[Jen]

Arrrhhh bugger it I wouldn't mind checking that place out its on the same time as border stargaze

[Andy01]

A bunch of us from the ASV are going along, should be a great weekend :)

[alistairsam]

I'm thinking of going as well. mainly for the dark skies. is it darker than BSG? anyone been to both?
apparently power is in the middle of the field and you got to watch out for all the cables spread out.
2012 pics http://vicsouth.info/2012.htm

Cheers
Alistair

[dannat]

alistair i thin its darker than BSG -no glow from albury-it is like going to the middle of nowhere ...wait it IS the middle on nowhere

[trek1701]

No doubt about it, its definitely darker than the BSG.

Cheers Mark

[alistairsam]

Thanks, just confirmed my booking. Too late for the en suites though.
Looking forward to the "darkness"

Hoping to make it to the Aoraki Mackenzie Dark Sky Reserve, NZ later this year
http://www.darksky.org/international-dark-sky-places/about-ids-places/reserves/59-ida/night-sky-conservation/dark-sky-reserves-slider/369-aoraki-mackenzie-reserve

[Mckechg]

So - I have a question.... how do we all meet each other as humans when we are there.... We need a secret indicator... like the Illuminati.... :-)

I have a Silver Toureg - and I will be with my astro buddy Adrian... WE both have 8" scopes on HEQ 5 PRo... I am dead keen to meet some people off here. see you in just over a week... Cant wait I might print my name and put it on my scope :-)

[04Stefan07]

I will be there as well for all the 3 nights :).

[Marios]

You mean we will be there.. :D

[04Stefan07]

:lol:

[Mckechg]

Ok - as a side joke that only us will get - you must hang a red shirt / flag / sheet / object - and the key is are you illuminati ...

Then we will talk stars... And more importantly put a face the the proverbial name... 6 nights to go

[Marios]

3 more days.. :jump:

[Andy01]

Has anyone seen the weather forecast for the weekend as yet?

[04Stefan07]

I think it may be alright but it will be hot!

Not long now :D

[alistairsam]

Looking forward to it.
Anyone know if the campsite is far from the imaging field?
I'll be next to my scope.
Hope to meet you'll there.

Cheers
Alistair

[Buck]

Camping area is about 150-200 metres from (main) viewing area. You can, of course, set up right next to your camping sight, but it will be less "light protected".

Buck

[04Stefan07]

Can we park our cars next to our setup? Easier to access all equipment plus I will be sleeping in the back of my car since I have a wagon and there is plenty of room!

Also anyone know if there are any fridges in the main building for us to use?

[Marios]

Looking at the website from past events people have driven up to the viewing field. I have also emailed the Lodge in regards to the fridges waiting to here back.

[Marios]

Here is the reply from the lodge, I dont know how big the fridge. Id still bring a esky for the important things like drinks. ;)


"Hi Mario.
There is a fridge for communal use in the shelter shed near the campground."

[Weird1]

Forecast for Horsham here http://www.bom.gov.au/vic/forecasts/horsham.shtml

going to be 29 Thursday - 30 Friday & Sat, 32 Sunday

Cheers see you all there Keith.:thumbsup::D

[Mckechg]

I have actually already packed my kit and picked my targets... I have NEVER been so excited...

[Mckechg]

Look - new case for my scope any everything!!

:-)

[Mckechg]

1 more sleep. Worried about clouds - have a plan B if Saturday clouds out

[Mckechg]

We are approaching Nhill - sky is pretty clear some high cloud.

Gant

[SimmoW]

Great to meet a few of you at VS, had a good imaging time on Sat night and caught up with a few folk and some ye olde movies on Sunday night! Let's hope next yr is better weather wise, I think I'll come every year now.

[Mckechg]

Hi its Grant and Adrian here,

we had a blast with everyone, and learned so much from so many of you.

A great sunday afternoon of terrible movies and people mouthing the words of life of brian.

Look forward to ASV Dark site on the 22 Nov. Already planning!

Grant (the really loud one..)

[SimmoW]

Loud? But very funny! Ooh I better lock that date in, getting addicted to dark skies. Better than other vices I spose...

[Mckechg]

Will be great i think, the best night is friday but I cant quite make it, so we will head up on saturday.

Already planning the mods i need to do to my kit.

Maybe this time I wont loose all my data.

[Andy01]

Great weekend, great company, good food, good venue a terrific dark sky and a bonus freak lightning storm!
Thanks to the organisers - I'll be back next year :thumbsup:
Andy