3 newbies need help in Brisbane

["O"]

Hi All,

Two of my friends and I are getting into this very interesting
hobby. We have been mucking around for a couple of weeks now.
We are absolute beginners.

If anyone could tell us where and when is the next observation night
by any local society or groups of IIS members gathering
here in Brisbane that we can attend and ask (many) questions, it
would be much appreciated. I have look at schedule on BAS and
SEQAS website and tried to go to one but it wasn't on.

We are in the southside Morningside/Tingalpa area.

Astroron kindly kindly invited us to the astro weekend but unfortunately
we didn't make it. So we are still in the dark!

We are keen to meet a "real life" amateur astronomer!

Thanks,
"O"

[[1ponders]]

Hi O

You will find that the next night at Ron's will probably be on the weekend of the 23rd of Sept, though there may even be one the previous weekend. You'd need to check with Ron on that one.

[Dennis]

Hello,

The Brisbane Astronomical Society holds monthly "Public Field Nights" at Mount Coot-tha, on the Saturday closest to the first quarter moon, i.e. half moon. The next one is on Saturday 2nd September.

Here is an excerpt from the BAS website at http://www.bas.asn.au/bas/public_night.htm

“Our regular Public Viewing Nights are held on the Saturday night closest to the 'First Quarter' phase of the Moon each month. This is always a good time to observe the Moon as the craters and mountain ranges are shown in high contrast near the 'terminator' (the area where the lit part of the Moon joins the unlit part of the Moon).

Our members will be present with a variety of club and personal telescopes and they will be able to show you the Moon and the brighter planets if they are visible in the sky. The positions of the planets vary from month to month, and certain planets may not be visible until a latter date in the year. Our members will also answer any of your astronomical questions and give you some insight into the world of Amateur Astronomy.

The public viewing nights are always located at the Mount Coot-tha Lookout, just outside the Cafe. Viewing will be conducted from 7pm until 9pm.

The public viewing night will be cancelled if it's too cloudy on the night to see the Moon. If in doubt, please check to see if it has been cancelled by phoning our contact line on 3321-8511”.

However, I also believe that the “Riverfire” fireworks festival is on the same night, so Mount Coot-tha can get busy, so be there early if you want a parking spot.

BAS Club Meetings:
The next meeting is Friday 8th September. PM me if you would like details on how to get there.

Hope that helps, and look forward to seeing you and your friends there.

Cheers

Dennis

[Dennis]

Now THAT (the dark) is a good place to be for an astronomer....;)

Cheers

Dennis

[Striker]

Seeing your very very local to me...I am happy to share some of my knowledge considering I live in Tingalpa.

But be warned my knowledge is based around astrophotography so you may leave my place making an appointment with the bank manager...lol

["O"]

Dennis, will definitely try to make it to Mt Coottha this Sat! Hope the weather is good.

1ponders, hope to make it to Ron's too in the future.

Striker, that would be great! If you are free anytime, please let us know. We are actually radiocontrolled modellers and fly at the club at Minnipin Park every weekend Sat and Sun, from morning till dark, that's actually how we get to look at the stars on a regular basis and became interested. Not sure if you ever observe from the park ... nice atmosphere, dont know if its dark enough for you though.

I would love to learn more about astrophotos. Come to think of it, its far safer to invest in telescope and camera as the chance of them falling off the sky is much smaller than models!

"O"

[earthlight]

Hi O and Dennis

I can say now that it would be crazy to plan to be up at Mt Coot-tha for observing while River Fire is on. It will be packed before Lunch time with people waiting for the night-time display. I don't think the usual guys like Brendan will even contimplate going up and Tony is on call therefore unavaliable.

I'll send an e-mail out asking if it is on or not but I wouldn't expect so. But I'll let you know.

_________________________
earthlight

["O"]

Thanks earthlight for the info... certainly don't want to fight the traffic and people to get there and find out that its not on..... if there is going to be any unofficial viewing gathering by anyone in Brisbane this weekend - Fri, Sat or Sun, please let us know ... we are keen to go for a chat and learn ....

"O"

[earthlight]

Yes Brendan isn't thinking he'll head up due to the crowds. Best bet is to go to the next BAS meeting (2nd Friday of month). Some of the club scopes may be there and they may do some viewing there if pestered into it and it's clear.
I'm not pushing joining as you may not want to. But You should meet quite a few people who are observing more often. Normally say I'd love to do some viewing but small children and husband doing overtime removes any chance of seeing the sky. My time was at Astrofest and that's got to last till the next one.

Happy viewing

______________________________
earthlight

[DaveO]

Hi "O"

Saturday 2 Sept is the AAQ's regular LPO (Lunar & Planetary Observing) night at Beanland St Jindalee (http://www.aaq.org.au/LPO_Beanland.htm). Go to our website (http://www.aaq.org.au) for details of meetings and field nights. The following Saturday is our meeting night at the planetarium. Visitors are always welcome.

["O"]

thanks, earthlight, hope you'll have more time to do more viewing!

Dave, thanks for the info, how can i confirm if its on ... i suppose
it will very much depend on the weather ...
definitely keen to talk to someone and learn more..

"O"

[DaveO]

O

Will send you some contact details by PM.

["O"]

Mission accomplished!

Thanks to Dave for pointing us in the right direction
to meet several very knowledgible, friendly and helpful
AAQ members at the moon/planet viewing last night.

It was absolutely a great experience.

Thank you to all,
"O"

[DaveO]

Glad you enjoyed yourself O. One thing is always true about IIS: ask and ye shall receive! If you join AAQ, you will in fact me a member of 2 clubs: AAQ and IIS.