What are your interests at Lostock?

[Orion]

Every amateur astronomer has their preference, some like dobs and others like EQ's. Some like astrophotography and others like visual work etc...

The IISAC2007 has it all. There will be so many telescopes to eyeball not to mention the people with so much advice in every aspect of astronomy, the talks, the dark skies "marvelous":thumbsup:

I'm a bit partial to the big dobs I must admit but I'll be taking in the atmosphere of everything IISAC2007 has to offer and enjoying every minute of it!

What is your reason for going?

I hope to see a lot of you at Lostock:hi:

[Omaroo]

Some of us also have....... & like SCT's....... :whistle:

[Orion]

OK...SCT's as well.:lol:

[h0ughy]

the lot, the aperture and the talks, oh and the strange people that own them

[gaa_ian]

The Big Dobs, Naglers & most of all the IIS people !
Hmmm ... A visit to a winery or two won't go astray either ;)

[astroron]

:hi: Ed I wont be calling in on you this year:( so I hope you have a great time , AND THAT'S NO BULL:lol:
I hope to catch up in the future.:thumbsup: Ron

[RB]

I hope to do some astrophotography but I'm also looking forward to viewing through the big dobs and catching up with everyone.

Oh and I believe there's some lucky door prizes isn't there? :P

[stephenmcnelley]

If i was in a position to go this year, i must say that to show off my gear or to present it for admiration would be the very last reason, just a thought..
FMP it would be more about the dark night sky and sharing it through a whole heap of gear and learning from other peoples astronomical efforts. Chances are my own setups would be commandered by others while i cruise the field, i would probly get back to my own gear by sun up lol.

Sketching the fainter stuff would be an early morning priority from a satisfaction standpoint.:)

[Rodstar]

Lostock is an opportunity for me to cultivate a love of astronomy in my kids. Jack and Noah (8 and 5 respectively) will be living and breathing astronomy for the best part of 4 days.

I recently purchased an Argo Navis, and was thumbing my way through the User Manual (220+ pages). Jack said to me, "Oh they're easy to use, dad,....I used one at Lostock last year. Let me show you." I didn't even know he'd seen one before!

It is amazing what your children will pick up on in such an environment. Wonderful family time together.

Oh, and big aperture observing when the kids are asleep will also be on the menu for me....lots of juicy visual stuff.

[Orion]

That is a shame Ron.
I enjoyed your company immensely. I hope to see you again in the not to distant future:thumbsup:

[Orion]

Well there is another reason for going, I forgot about that one!:doh:

[Orion]

I will be in the same situation Rod.
I am bringing my family along this time. The kids will absolutely love it.
Looking forward to it.:)

[iceman]

#1 reason for me is to meet up with all my IIS friends that i've made over the past 2 years.

The rest are in no particular order..

#2 - Dark skies
#3 - Astrophotography
#4 - Viewing through some big dobs
#5 - Bringing people together!

[Deeno]

Reading ‘bout all this stuff is one thing, seeing it action is going to be something else!
It will be great opportunity to decide on what accessories that will be useful plus check out Dob designs as I want to build a mount that is a little more substantial.

There are some real personalities kicking around this site that I’m looking forward to annoying and extracting as much knowledge as possible.

Dark skies
Big scopes
Tracking systems and how they work.
Etc, etc, etc………………

[merlin8r]

I'm sure this would be a logistical nightmare, but do you think it's possible after the group shot, to get a group telescope shot? I just think it would be interesting to see all the telescopes assembled in a small area.

Clear skies,
Shane

[ving]

if I turn up (big IF) it will just be to say hi :)

unfortunately at this time of year every year the mexicans turn up and stay till teh end of the school holidays. I shoudnt say unfortunately, they are ok to have around, and its only once per year usually :)

[Orion]

That's a tough one.:doh: There will be telescopes everywhere.