The South Pacific Star Party: 13 - 15 April, 2007 - who's going?

[Omaroo]

Just booked for Jenny and myself. Looks like a great event (my first SPSP), and Ilford is on our way back from Lightning Ridge where we'll be spending Easter with the folks.:) Who else is going this year?

Cheers
Chris

[wavelandscott]

I'll be there...

I'll also have at least Campbell (my son) and maybe Thomas (younger son)...I am confident that my wife will not want to attend...

I did register them all just in case...

I suspect that it might be a bit "chilly" so bring appropriate clothing...

[leon]

No I wont make it this time, but have enjoyed the times iv'e been

Leon

[33South]

Ill be going again, thats SpSp not Lightning Ridge - havent been there since late 70's.

Based on last year and the people I spoke to at Lostock there should be a fair turn up of IISers.

Also its mandatory to wear your Lostock Tshirt for the group photo.;)

[seeker372011]

hopefully my wife and I will be there...in my I saw comet Mcnaught T shirt

[RB]

Yep I'm planning on being there.

[GTB_an_Owl]

yep

the OWL and his freezer suits will be there too

:cold:

[h0ughy]

yes, I will be there, but as to what scope???????

[h0ughy]

might be the time to try one Geoff:rofl: :whistle:

[GTB_an_Owl]

not try one h0ughy

HAVE one

[GTB_an_Owl]

TOO late to be trying one when you get there

[iceman]

Let's not start another freezer suit thread invading an SPSP thread :) Bump the old freezer suit thread.

I'll be there, with bells on!

[ausastronomer]

Unfortunately I wont be able to make it.

I am going to Coonabarabran for 8 days observing over March new moon and then going to the Texas Star Party for 14 days in May. I think squeezing SPSP in between those 2 long observing ventures is squeezing the lemon a bit hard.

CS-John B

[xstream]

We're looking forward to another one. Anna made our booking yesterday, so I guess that means we're going. :P

[Omaroo]

It'd be nice to get a group photo of actual IIS members attending, and then Photoshop-in little arrows and numbers to each face in the photo and provide a key so that we (and the rest of the IIS community) can see who was who :)

[RB]

We'll miss you John.

Bring me back a Texas Star Party T-Shirt.......:D

[Rodstar]

I booked online last Friday....I am yet to receive any confirmation but assume the application will be processed forthwith.

I am looking forward to another great starparty. Hopefully the funnel webs will not be quite so prolific, and the weather will stay a bit warmer.

[GTB_an_Owl]

I booked and payed last nite and had a confirmation email this morning Rod ?

[okiscopey]

I'm really keen to attend the SPSP (my first ever sp) and joined the ASNSW to get the cheaper rate (not the only reason!). Trouble is, I can't remember if I booked the SPSP itself. Maybe I'll get an e-mail soon, or a memory upgrade.

One way or another, I'll be there.

So far the tally seems to be 10 IIS-ers and 4 'better halves'. (The only time 4 halves make four?).

Group photo sounds like a great idea.

P.S. Is there an attendee's 'slide evening' or something like that?

[Omaroo]

I booked last night (Sunday) and I rec'd confirmation this morning from Adrian in the form of a "thank you" email.

Copy:

[Omaroo]

Funnel webs? :scared:

They didn't look like the one that got this little Puggy did they?

[Rodstar]

Geoff, my booking confirmation came through this morning at home....I just noticed it on getting home tonight. All's well that ends well.

As for the funnel webs, Omaroo, far less cute and cudly I am afraid...:P

[seeker372011]

Now I'm really put off from camping

[GTB_an_Owl]

well thay should have enough money out of us IIS'ers now to go give the place a bit of a spray or at least go get the "there ain't no spiders here" signs printed up

geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

Rod
you will REPRESENT us if the organising committee sue us for scare mongering ----------------- won't you ?

:scared3:

geoff

[spacezebra]

I'm there, not sure what T-Shirt Ill be wearing - so many to choose from.

Cheers Petra

[iceman]

lol Petra, I can guess :P

[Rodstar]

I'm sure they are far too nice and clever to consider such a move.

Besides, I have never heard of the tort of scaremongering before.:rofl:

[h0ughy]

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: I just signed up and realised afterwards that I used the members form, so then I thought well why not sign up as a member, so I did:whistle: . I hope they accept my application, dispite my reputation;)

[shahgazer]

Hi guys,

Finally and hopefully I will be able to join the fun for the SPSP 2007. Having missed the last planned trip (last Aug) and the IISAC2007 to work, I want to make this trip a good one.

Just before I register, I was hoping if anyone can give me a good suggestion on what is the most worthy activity or places that I can go during the SPSP, as well as before and after the date? :help:

Myself ( and a friend) will be flying from Kuala Lumpur on the 10th, and going back on the 17th. We planned to rent a caravan (which I think is much cheaper option than renting a motel and a car). :rolleyes:

I understand the Anglo-Australian Obs is like 3 hour drive from Wiruna. What else do you guys think I should visit?

Opinions are most welcome. :)

[Rodstar]

Shah, it will be great to see you if you can make it!

The one thing that comes to mind is wine country if you are interested in wines. The premier wine area in NSW is the Hunter Valley which is about 90+ mins north of Sydney. The Hunter is not directly on the route to Ilford, so you would have to take a different route to visit there. Mudgee is not renowned for excellent wines, but has good steady wines, and is much closer to Wiruna (about 40 kms north of there).

[spacezebra]

Hi there Shah

While at SPSP - we did a short trip to Mudgee to check out the wines - we spent a great deal of time at the Elliot Rocke Estate - picked up a Semillon - Ice Wine (Good wine for the next IISAC), nice drop!. Another one worth a visit was Pieter Van Gent - Winery and Vineyard - they had an extremely fine Muscat.

If not into wine - there are many small cheese, mustard, jam (you name it) places that specialise in locally grown produce which you can sample and buy. Worth the trip we brought home alot more than we arrived with.

Looking forward to seeing you there

Cheers Petra

[iceman]

I imagine you'll be driving through the blue mountains on your way there - now there is a MUST STAY destination. Beautiful scenery, lots to see and do. Probably one for before or after the SPSP, not during.

[Deeno]

Have permision from "she who must be obeyed" to go.
Will have to wait until its a bit closer to make sure I've got nothing else on

[okiscopey]

Been keeping a tally on who's going (so I can say hello to all the IIS-ers in person :)).

At the moment it looks like it's 11 plus 4 partners = 15 (16 if Deeno goes).

I'm really looking forward to the SPSP, if only to get away from the 'global warming' debate elsewhere in this website!

Hopefully we can all get together for a group photo.

[shahgazer]

Thanks guys for the feedback. Not really into the wine thing though, but I sure looking forward to experience first hand of the celestial and terrestrial from down under! :2thumbs:

cheers!

[grl570810]

You can add me and two offspring to the total... Not SWMBO this year though.

[rmcpb]

Been given permission from SWMBO so I signed up post haste. See you all there :)

[iceman]

I've just booked! Can't wait!

[Omaroo]

hehe... host one, guest at the next.......

See you on Monday evening :)

[stringscope]

I am only a 50% possibility at this stage :sadeyes: However, I am trying to remain optimistic. :)

[okiscopey]

Hmm. Throws the calculations out a bit! :P

Will count you as '0.5' in the completely unofficial okiskopey IIS tally for the moment.

So far we have .. let's see ...oh yes, here's the scrap of paper in a pile of unpaid bills ...

It's now 17.5 IIS folks, plus 11 or 12 kids, partners, better halves, SWMBO's, HRH's and an indeterminate number of funnel webs.

Looks like we don't (yet) need a panoramic camera for the group shot!

[xstream]

I think you'll find the funnel webs will out number us at least a 100/1. ;) :lol:

[Rodstar]

What day are people planning to get there?

I am working on SWMBO to get a leave pass on Thursday so I can have three full nights of observing (and wine and cheese appreciation).

[xstream]

Anna, Petra, Dave and myself will be there from the Thursday till the Monday for four full nights observing (and of course the wine and cheese appreciation). :)

[h0ughy]

I hope to be there on the wednesday to setup, but that is looking doubtfull with work AT the moment, so thursday may be the day for me to turn up. Also I am a bit worried about taking the losmandy for a few reasons - need to learn to use it, and powering this mount. It draws heaps from the battery and it likes 13 volts or better. batteries will only give 12 down to 10.5 and with the colder nights the bateries capacity is inhibited as well. might just be a eq6 only camp for me this year, until they get 240V power to the site and run it out ye olde drive in style, plonk and plug in to the juice and off you go. Well I suppose thats what grape juice is for......to make up for the goto, you just slew around a bit and find a target, tracking is a bit off and well and autoguider could be steering in the direction back to the tent. Is that right Mike?

[iceman]

I think i'll just be there fri + sat - don't think I could push it to the thursday night.

I don't think i'll be doing any planetary imaging, unless RB loans his hotbox. I need 240v with my imaging rig!

[Omaroo]

You can use my 120AH battery and inverter Mike. How much current do you draw at 240V? Will a 300W inverter do it?

Cheers
Chris

[Rodstar]

That's great! I'll see you all on Thursday, then.

HOughy, can you bring your PST Coronado? I would love to enjoy some more solar views during the day. It'll be nice to catch up with you, mate.

Mike, you'll have a cosy spot at the far side of my circus tent when you get there on the Friday. Are you planning to bring the dob mount and do some push-to-ing? Or will you still bring the EQ mount?

[okiscopey]

Can I be second in the queue Mr HOugy? :D

Keen on buying one, but FUD has prevailed up to now, not to mention CSF (considerable shortage of funds). :(

[h0ughy]

the PST is standard equipment.......................... ............why I ever sold my first one I will never know...........tickets 2 looks for a dollar, 5 looks for a ginger beer

[okiscopey]

I'll bring 50 cents, only want one look. :rofl:

[Omaroo]

You're being ripped off.

I'll bring my EXT-60 with Thousand Oaks film and you can look through that for free. I know that it doesn't have all the fancy H-alpha filters on it and wotnot - but it IS free.

:P

[RB]

We'll organise something Mike.
As long as you don't fall onto my gear, it'll be cool........:P :lol:

[xstream]

I'll also bring a PST.

[Rodstar]

Thanks John. Maybe we can set up yours and Houghy's side by side and get a bino-effect??!!:eyepop:

[okiscopey]

Are your rates cheaper than h0ughy's? :lol:



I'll bring my ETX125 with the same film and only charge $1 for a peek. :P

[h0ughy]

One upmanship is alive and well, thousand oaks filters for the C8, the ed80, the 10" Lx200R, and the sigma 50-500 lens.......free looks, and a free photo of you looking through the scope.......:rofl: :rofl: :whistle:

[okiscopey]

Now I like the sound of that! :lol:

But to ask a serious question, I haven't been to Wiruna before - I gather there are two observing fields, but is it possible at either to set up next to a car to access extra amp-hours?

[Rodstar]

Mike, you are allowed to park your car on the observing field, but you have to leave it there overnight, and it has to pass inspection as being white-light free. I usually park on the field, and unplug my car battery so that there are no white lights.

Virtually no one uses the second field, for some reason it has never really taken off.

[okiscopey]

Thanks for the info Rod. Looks promising. Have just bought a red light for the car's interior and will disable the white ones. That should pass muster!

[h0ughy]

LOL, well we have yet another Aussie Star Party with yet another Aussie Discovered Comet peaking very close to the event in dark skies................This is setting a standard, so for those going to border Stargaze and Qld astrofest be good to see if things get better for those events Celestially Speaking, although 2 weeks after BSG and QLd Astrofest we have a total lunar eclipse......

OK might not be as spectacular as Mcnaught, but man its early days;)

[Geoff45]

Good idea! I'll be there---haven't missed one for several years now.
Geoff

[Geoff45]

I go there every new moon and have never seen a funnel web. However last month we did see a 5' long, supposedly deadly snake. My wife identified it, but I forget what it was (except for being deadly).
Hope this eases your mind about funnel webs.
Geoff

[Geoff45]

There are facilities for charging batteries. I may be able to help you with the Losmandy--I'm about 6 months ahead of you on the learning curve. You may need to check with the organising committee if arriving early--the gates are locked when there is nobody there, although I expect this won't be a problem.
Geoff

[h0ughy]

looks like a thursday morning arrival for me now. the losmandy might be an option, how successful have you been operating it on a battery? and all nighters done with it?

[Geoff45]

I have a 75 amp hour battery for the GM-8 Losmandy and a Canon 350D and it lasts as long as I need it, usually till 2 or 3 am. I charge it up next day, but I've never checked how necessary this is. I run a laptop off a separate battery.
Geoff

[Glenn Dawes]

Mike, I hope you're wearing more than just bells!

I'm going and taking my daughter to observe under dark skies for the first time! It should be fun.

Regards

Glenn

[xstream]

Shall we use the same area of the observing field as the last couple years?

[Rodstar]

I think our position was perfect last year...we had the best view of all horizons by being at the side of the observing field away from the large trees, and it is nicely placed halfway between the amenities block and the tents. I would agree we stay with the same location, John.

PS. Are you bringing the structure you used last year to protect your scope under? If so, would I be able to have a spot under there as well?? Otherwise, I am thinking I might buy something similar. I really don't want my new toy completely exposed to the elements during the day if I can help it.:help:

[seeker372011]

Now I really have the heebie jeebies. Funnel webs- ....I am thinking ..boots.... crunch .......hopefully thats it..but taipans and tiger snakes..thats a whole new David Attenborough episode

shudder

anyway missed last year but was there for the two before and hope to be there this year :)

[okiscopey]

We don't need that panoramic camera yet.

The IIS tally now appears to be 20.5 IIS-ers and 13 or more family (etc.) members, a smaller number of funnelwebs than previously reported, maybe a snake or two, and no giraffes.

[mickoking]

Man, I would love to go but its just too far, and I am but a poor student :D have fun at the party everyone, clear skies :thumbsup:

[iceman]

I think the same observing location would be a good idea.

[xstream]

Same spot it is then!

Shouldn't be a problem with the Gazebo at all. I think Petra will probably bring hers also, so between two there should be plenty of room.

[xstream]

At least we'll all know where to congregate for observing. :scared: :lol:

[h0ughy]

I have a nice big black one;) :P :D will be setting it up there, last years lean to lent too much!!

[stringscope]

Agreed re observing location.

All squared away. Martin and I are now confirmed arrive sometime Thursday and leaving on the Monday.

Cheers,

[Rodstar]

Thanks John! I am most grateful. WIll see you up there on the Thursday afternoon.:hi:

[Rodstar]

Thanks too, HOughy. Xstream got in first! :P

[jonathank]

Hi All,
I've booked this morning for the SPSP.
It will my 1st official star party (the last 1 in Kulnura was unofficial)
See u there

[GTB_an_Owl]

good onya Jonathank

see you there

geoff

[iceman]

Excellent! You'll love it.

[xstream]

Looks like we'll be in for a good turn out.

Looking forward to catching up with those I know and meeting those I haven't.

See you all there!

[Rodstar]

Great news Jonathan! It will be great to catch up with you again! You will love the darker skies....they are far superior to Kulnura. :thumbsup:

[MortonH]

My wife and I are going. Don't know whether to bring my new Dob or queue up at someone's new 20"!!!

Morton

[okiscopey]

Morton, you just made the list!

SPSP IIS attendees

Approximate and completely unofficial list as of 27/3/07 (at 20:15 EST!)

Omaroo (Chris) (+1?)
Wavelandscott (+1 or 2?)
33South
Seeker372011 (maybe) (+1?)
Rocket Boy (Andrew)
GTB-an-owl (Geoff)
h0ughy
Iceman (Mike)
xstream (+1?)
okiscopey (Mike)
Rodstar (Rod) (+3?)
spacezebra (Petra)
Deeno
Shahgazer (Shah)
grl (Graham) (+2?)
rmcpb (Rob)
Stringscope (Ian) (+1?)
Glenn Dawes (+1?)
* Diamond Rose (Bruce) (maybe)
* ausastronomer (John B) (+1?)
* Peter Bobroff
ghsmith45 (Geoff)
jonathank
MortonH (Morton) (+1)

* from another thread, couldn't find posts again to check

That's about 24 plus family, etc. Apologies for any omissions, incorrect inclusions, mis-spellings and assumptions.

Here's hoping for 3+ days of perfectly clear skies!

[iceman]

You'll find there'll be many more than that - as least double or triple. Most of them just aren't as active as those that posted here :)

I'm really looking forward to it.. clear skies will be great. Company will be first class.

[RB]

LOL Mike, maybe we should pre-order some IISSPSP15 Leet-shirts to mark the occasion. :lol:

[Rodstar]

Morton, by the sounds there might be quite a queue at a certain telescope, so it might be an idea to bring yours too! BTW, what is great about bringing your scope to a really dark sky is to test the limits of what your scope can do. It can be quite amazing what you can pull in...

[h0ughy]

:P
Yep all the riff Raff:rofl: :rofl:

[MortonH]

Good point, Rod.

My wife has volunteered to look after my scope if I want to wander over to someone else's...

Morton

[okiscopey]

Yes, I suspected this would be the case.

I was keeping track of responses so any relative newcomer like me could say ‘hello’ to the multi-posting cogniscenti in person.

Also, if want to run with Omaroo’s idea of “a group photo of actual IIS members attending”, the list may help ensure all of the ‘regulars’ are included.

By the way, I see this list as a ‘wiki’ such that anyone who wants to change details can do so and re-post it.

[gary]

Fellow enthusiasts,

Wildcard Innovations will be there and we look forward to meeting you.
As a proud sponsor of the South Pacific Star Party, we will also be donating a prize.

By simply being a registered attendee on the Saturday you can win an Argo Navis unit.

You can read about the SPSP and register online here -
http://www.asnsw.com/spsp/index.html

Mai and I look forward to seeing you there!

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[seeker372011]

I see I am listed as a maybe..well I paid up a couple of weeks ago for wife and self so I should be there lining up at a certain 20 inch along with a host of others

[GTB_an_Owl]

you better see if you can get a roll of "admit one" tickets Rod.

geoff

[Diamond Rose]

Don't think I can make it. But, I hope to get to Kulnura for the next session.

Happy Easter all!

~ Bruce

[spacezebra]

Looking forward to see you all at SPSP - how many sleeps:D?

Cheers Petra

[h0ughy]

mmm let me see, one two three four, five, six..........:whistle:

[glenc]

This SkyMapPro map shows the sky at 10pm on 14/4 from the SPSP (latitude 33 deg S, altitude 1020 m). The zenith is in the center of the map. It will be dark from 7:03 pm (end of twilight 14/4) to 3:23 am (6% crescent moon rise 15/4).

[seeker372011]

thanks that is most helpful...

for some reason M65 and NGC 3628 are not shown by SkyMapPro but nevertheless your chart has saved me a lot of prep time!

[glenc]

I think I had a mag limit of 10 for galaxies. SkyMapPro can show much fainter of course.

[Rodstar]

I've worked out an observing schedule, broken down by the hour to try to get things when they are as high in the sky as possible. It will give me some focus in terms of what to hunt down with SDM 012.

It is a bit of a "Who's Who of the Southern sky" at this time of the year...I hope it is useful to others. I am hoping that over my three nights At SPSP15 I can get through most objects....but if I don't....well there is always next year. :P

Edited addition: Please note that the last hour should be "1 AM to sparrow's fart". The moon rises rather too early at SPSP this year, on Thursday night we will not see many of the 1am targets before the moon makes its appearance in the sky.

[h0ughy]

I have gotten sick, really sick! Bad asthma attack yesterday and now I have a full on chest infection making me a 50-50 chance of going. Its not fair, who is sticking pins in the voodoo dolls (maybe I know the answer on that one). Mr Meehan, I think its what you had...............

its not fair...............and to think three weeks ago I had my flue shot........:sadeyes:

[GTB_an_Owl]

CRISP, CLEAN, FRESH MOUNTAIN Air is what you want Dave


geoff

[h0ughy]

thats whats frightens me;) my wife says that If I get worse dont come home

[GTB_an_Owl]

Dave - i'm sure the IIS's will have enough MEDICATION to see you through the weekend

geoff

[iceman]

ouch Dave, sorry to hear it.

Starting to get excited!! Making a pile of stuff in the room downstairs to take..

[Rodstar]

Lots of early nights, HOughy, and not too much chocolate, and you will be right....it won't be the same if you can't be there.

I have started to pack too, and am beginning to obsess about weather forecasts.

[xstream]

Dave, you can't not be there! As Rod said, "It won't be the same".
Make sure you get plenty of rest mate. Rod and I can't drink all the Muscat on our own. ;)

[h0ughy]

yep 2 0r 3 o'clock when twilight kicks in, no chocolate or port therapy. I have a freezer suit so can keep warm. I might need some photon therapy:whistle:

[spacezebra]

What's this I hear - David not coming to SPSP!

What are we going to do without you. Get better real soon David we have drift aligning to do.

Hang on - you kissed me goodbye! Should I be worried:(......

Cheers Petra

[h0ughy]

I got some horse tablets tonight with a repeat. I hope that helps, but its my asthma that really worries me. No medication I had on Saturday helped and I was that close to going to hospital. under doctors orders I had a dose or prednisone which calmed things down. if I can get a course to take with me I have some insurance.

this will be a testing session for me, and the gear. I haven't used my G11 yet and I am still not sure I will bring it as it likes the voltage too much. I will be testing the vixen R200SS and the modded 350D. Batteries are full charged, just need to get the rest of the gear together.

[h0ughy]

yes dont tell dave.....

no something triggered a huge attack and the coughing helped give me the chest infection, which could have been this bug going around and I was lucky enough to get it. I will be in the lepper section at SPSP:sadeyes:

[wavelandscott]

Gee Whiz h0ughy...I hope you get healthy fast!

I've just recovered from something similar...it knocked me down for about 4 days...

That timeline should still give you time to recover!

Hope to see you there...

Like everyone else, we are busy beavers putting things into our "to take" pile...I sure hope the weather is okay.

[spacezebra]

I'm sure that we can all camp together! :D Get better real soon.

Cheers Petra

[RB]

Hope you didn't catch a chill from the new cooled camera Houghy........:sadeyes:

Get better soon champ, it won't be the same without you there......:(

[h0ughy]

naaa, just testing it now to see how much battery life i get.;)

[h0ughy]

thanks, might take some red medicine, and some white dinner medicine:whistle:

[spacezebra]

Im sure that we will bring ample supplies of redish medicine (portwillgetubetterus) :lol:brand I think!!!!!

Cheers Petra

[xstream]

Three more sleeps to go! :2thumbs:

Anna and I have a tradition since we started going to SPSP that on the Saturday morning we go into Kandos for breakfast at this great little Coffee shop/Café. Last year six of us went in for the Big breakfast.
Who's up for it this year? I reckon the more the merrier.

[Rodstar]

John, I was working out my SPSP meals this morning, and I wrote down Kandos for Friday am breakfast! I might have to go two days running! Great minds.....

They won't know what's hit them in Kandos if EVERYONE shows up.:rofl:

[xstream]

Rod, you can have breakfast with us lot on Friday morning if you wish!

[xstream]

Make sure you take a camera. :lol:

[h0ughy]

but if you have been up all night, you might find it a struggle, and lunch being the new breakfast???

[okiscopey]

I'm about to leave Sydney on a trip to Bathurst/Mudgee before the SPSP, hope to meet folks at Wiruna from Thursday onwards.

Just packed the car - can't believe how much stuff I have to take! :doh:

No more Internet or IIS for the next few days. :mad2:

h0ughy, get well soon - you need to be in that group photo! :thumbsup:

Over and out.

Mike.

[h0ughy]

Thanks Mike, see you there. Looking forward to seeing people for the group photos - both of them. The official SPSP one and the IIS one:whistle:

[iceman]

John, look forward to the Kandos brekky! Wouldn't miss it!

[Rodstar]

Thanks for that kind offer John. That would be great. I will bring some contribution of course....maybe some pancake mix?? Bacon??:)

[xstream]

Whatever takes your fancy, Rod. :thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

he of course will cook with undies on his head as mike will not be there with the new beanies until friday arvo:whistle:

[xstream]

:rofl: So long as no crusty bits fall into the cooking. :lol:

[Rodstar]

It's the "eyelashes" that you really have to worry about......:P

[seeker372011]

yuck:face:
someone change the topic quickly please

[h0ughy]

we could always shave his eyelashes so they dont mark the nice eyepieces he will have on his SDM 20".

[spacezebra]

:lol:

[RB]

Guys, I'm sorry to say that it looks like I won't be attending SPSP this year.
Something's come up and looks like I won't be able to get there.

:( :sad:

[h0ughy]

Sorry to hear that RB. wont be the same:sadeyes:

[iceman]

*sniff* :sadeyes:

[wavelandscott]

Sorry to hear this news RB...hope everything is okay!

We will miss you...

[rmcpb]

Just been playing around with RTGUI for viewing lists for both Friday and Saturday night. We will have PLENTY to run down, I wonder who can get the most objects with non go to or push to??

[33South]

Sorry to hear that Andrew,:( I was looking forward to catching up again.:hi:

[h0ughy]

wELL i AM PACKED READY TO GO. i still don't feel great but I am sure a star party will make me healthy?

[GTB_an_Owl]

good to hear Dave

i'm almost done - just a few last minute things - like BEER and clothes

did the "you know what" fit Dave ?

"RB" ----- now don't be dissapointing that princess of yours
you get yourself packed and come up after that thing that is supposed to be stopping you from coming is over
we will find a place for you to sleep till we get you set up saturday morning

geoff

[xstream]

We're going to miss you Andrew. I hope everything is okay!

Tell Elizabeth I'll give Mike or Rod her Easter egg to pass onto her.

[xstream]

Have the camper trailer packed and raring to go. :thumbsup:

[spacezebra]

Im packed - now Im off to bed! A very early start.

Cheers and see you at SPSP.

Petra

[h0ughy]

see you tomorrow afternoon;)

[jonathank]

This is THE Day!
See u in few hours in the middle of nowhere and if you can hear someone talking with a French accent, that's me.

Bye:hi:

[Rodstar]

I'm back!

As always, we had a hoot at SPSP. It was particularly good being in a little community of IIS'ers down near the bottom of the camping ground. It was great spending lots of time with everyone, especially sharing meals, grog and lots of laughs with Xstream and Anna, Petra and David, HOughy, Iceman, Chris (33South) and Al. It was great to meet Petra and David's friends Kate and Mark, who are superb company.

I also caught up with lots of other IIS'ers, like Scott Mitchell (and Tom and Campbell), Geoff GTW, Jonathank, Itchy and his wife, Strongmanmike, Steve Mogg, Joe and Anushka, Okieskopey, Gary Kopff (and Mai) and Glenn Dawes. I am sure there were others too....excuse me with my fatigue for forgetting you! There were others I meant to catch up with, but didn't get around to it, eg Stringscope, Mark Suchting. Maybe next time?!

It was a great thrill that Rocket Boy showed up on Saturday. Thanks for making the effort, buddy!

When many of us had our Hepworth suits on we looked like a team of Antarctic Emergency workers. We need to get a sponsor, and maybe get our individual names emblazened on the backs.

I met some very interesting people and saw some pretty spectacular things. SPSP always stretches one mind as to what is possible. I particularly enjoyed spending a large chunk of time last night with Alan Dyer and John Sarkissian. We shared some amazing views of the southern skies, and I lost count of the number of times John S said, "Wow!". It was also good drawing on the knowledge of Michael Chaytor on Friday night.

It is great to be in a community where there is such a high level of trust (hundreds of thousands of $$ worth of equipment lying around in the field each day), and such good will. It was great to be able to share some views throught SDM 12, and to sneak some views through other people's scopes.

Thanks especially to Scott, Petra and Anna for being so gracious in letting me borrow their eyepieces at various times, and Xstream, Anna, Petra and David for sharing so generously with more domestic things like food, refrigeration, and cooking equipment.

Some non astronomical highlights included discovering Bizzy Bird Cafe in Rylstone, planning a fund-raising calendar to raise "exposure", and thinking about what would suit being launched by a trebuchet (grand piano would be great to watch).

The skies were a tad unpredictable, but at moments of good seeing, I enjoyed spectacular views of the Ghost of Jupiter, Centaurus A, M83, M46, and the Homunculus amongst others.

Iceman and Stronmanmike excelled themselves again in the astrophotography awards, each of them taking out first prizes in sections, with Stronmanmike being the winner overall. Well done fellas!

I am glad to be home. I have had my first shower in four days. Domestic matters (or is that a wife and three children) now demand my attention.

[wavelandscott]

We made it safely back too!

Ditto many things that Rod said...it was good to "see and be seen" by and with members of the IIS community!

Congratulations to all prize winners! Including my son Campbell who won one of the 6 inch Tasco dobs...:P we needed another telescope in the house!


Clear Skies All!

[gary]

Good to see you all there and I hope everyone had a great time!

Rod, you have got yourself one fabulous scope and thanks for sharing the
views. Peter and the mirror maker have really done their job.

Thanks also to Lachlan MacDonald for the time on the 25" Obsession.
Always awesome.

We saw a lot of wonderful things at SPSP, but the celestial highlight for
Mai and I turned out to be on the drive home.

At 16:09 in broad daylight, while driving along Wylds Rd in Arcadia,
we witnessed a spectacular meteor. It shone with a brllliant blue and
white 'arc light' and I could make out the black meteorite itself before it
appeared to vapourize. It is always difficult to estimate the distance and height
of these things, as there is no sense of scale. However, this one appeared
to be *very low* and coming in steep. It lasted about a second and a bit.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Mt. Kuring Gai

[Rodstar]

That sounds very cool, Gary. Astronomy is such a hobby of chance.....right place, right time. Sometimes it comes off, often it does not. Sounds like things worked out on your way home!

It was a pleasure to share SDM 012 with you and Mai. And....thanks again for that awesome invention of yours.....the Argo Navis certainly makes locating objects so much easier with a large dob.

[gary]

Too right mate!



Rod, it makes our day when we see it helping bring guys like you so
much enjoyment. Thank you.

Best Regards

Gary

[h0ughy]

i am back, tired, still sick but better for the company I kept. I will post some photos later, and a jigsaw puzzle image if I can find the software for it??? Very interesting viewing thast one will be.

[iceman]

Had a great time at SPSP#15.. got back about 1pm yesterday but left the computer OFF all day in order to regain some browney points.. still won't chance my luck with Kulnura this weekend though :)

I echo all Rod's comments, was great catching up with everyone - old and new friends. The skies weren't great but they were good. On Friday night, transparency was poor and the seeing was awful, and it got very cold.. I was in bed by midnight but after being up since 1:30am (imaging Jupiter before I left for SPSP) I was happy to try and get some sleep.
I bought a freezer suit Saturday morning, but Saturday wasn't nearly as cold.
Saturday night was better conditions, better transparency and much better seeing, but both high and low clouds still brought transparency down significantly at times.

I didn't do any planetary imaging, was there for the dark skies, great company and enjoyed many fantastic views through Rod's 20" scope. I put my camera on the EQ6 and did some widefield stuff. The short focal length stuff looks ok so far but the long focal length (300mm lens) didn't turn out due to bad tracking.

I was very pleased to win both 1st and 2nd place in the Solar System category (two Jupiter entries) in the astrophotography competition, which was voted upon by our peers (entrants in the competition). The "people's choice" award was a tough one, having to choose a single image as your favourite out of all of the fantastic ones on display. I also won 2nd place in the widefield category with my Venus/Uranus/mercury widefield at Terrigal.

Congrats to Mike Sidonio, John Drummond and Joe Cauchi who also took out prizes. Some amazing images and a very high standard has been set for next year. Well done guys. Well done and thanks to Greg Priestly for organising a great astrophotography competition!

I had a very enjoyable time and want to thank Rod for sharing his tent and his scope and his great company. It's always a pleasure, sir!
Also thanks to John and Anna, Dave and Petra, Dave and Al, Mike and Riley, Chris and Jenny, and everyone else I spent time with over the weekend.

Looking forward to seeing some of you again in August at BSG!

[Omaroo]

So... has anyone heard from 292 yet? :shrug:

[AJames]

Phew!!! So it was you....

[Kal]

This was my 5th SPSP that I have attended and probably my briefest due to unavoidable circumstances. Having to pick up my sister and my mum from Sydney International airport at 6am on Friday morning I decided to just attend for Saturday night only. Still, I had a thoroughly enjoyable night.

The unpredictable cloud meant that I had to hop across the sky a few times chasing the better parts, but when the views were clear they were spectacular. I took the time to carefully collimate my scope this time, and I enjoyed spectacular views and the best that I have seen through my scope so far of of Eta Carinae, Omega Centauri, and Jupiter! I actually felt excited with these views as if I was living the 'new scope' buzz all over again! :D

I also won a lucky door prize of a $200 voucher at Bintel so I will be doing some shopping later this week!! :D

[strongmanmike]

Also my 5th SPSP the 2007 event was the usual blast with great company and clear weather each night.

It is always great to catch up and say hi to so many familiar faces.

While circumstances prevented me from taking my new imaging gear with me, sadly I have realised that I am an imaging tragic now :sadeyes: . While I did enjoy viewing through a few scopes, including Rod's beautiful big (Burgundy:D ) scope, I spent most of my time getting my withdrawal fix with imagers, including Houghy, Iceman Mike and Fred Vanderhaven... :shrug:... :screwy:..:help:. I think I was pining for my new camera that had only arrived the day before SPSP :( .......:lol:

Thanks for the great company IIS'ers

Well done to Ian Ogilvie and Peter Bobroff (and the other ATM'ers) for their marverlous handy work that never fails to amaze me :thumbsup: (I ended up missing looking through Peters new 16" :doh: :( )

Congratulations also to Mike Salway, Joe Cauchi and John Drummond in the astroimaging competition, I'm glad our (and the other entrants) images were so widely enjoyed by so many, it makes our love of imaging that much more pleasurable! :)

Well done to ASNSW (and Kandos Scouts!) for another fine event!

I was very sad to hear of the passing of Mike Kerr too. It reminds us of the fickle nature of our existence and why it is important to make the most of our short stay on this planet and do the things that make us most happy. Rest in Peace Mike.

See some of you again in August at Border perhaps? Or else SPSP 2008? :thumbsup:

Mike

[RB]

I was fortunate enough that things worked out for me in the end and was able to attend at least on the Saturday for an overnight stay.
As always it was a wonderful time to be with friends, sharing their company and the wonders of the night sky.
Thank you Rod for showing us the glorious views through your magnificent scope.
Also, I didn't feel like the odd man out any longer with my freezer suit on, my only regret is we failed to get a photo of all the "suits" together.

I was too excited to call it a night on Saturday so I stayed up till 4.30am Sunday, it felt like I was the only one awake at the time because it was so quiet on the field.
The clouds cleared after 2 or 3 am and I had a beautiful view of the Milky Way, so I just relaxed back on my beach chair with a few sustenances and enjoyed some lovely naked eye views of our universe.


Gary I saw it too !!!!!!!!!

I was driving along and saw exactly what you described, what a magnificent sight it was.
Excited about the spectical I asked my son if he saw it too but he wasn't looking ahead at that particular moment.
I'm so glad you verified the details because I was thinking that it was just my imagination, as I was concentrating on the road at the time.

:thumbsup:

[gary]

Hi Andrew,

Wow! Really great to hear you got to see it as well. You weren't imagining it.
Where abouts roughly were you at the time?

Best Regards

Gary

[RB]

I wish I was imaging because it was a dandy !

We were returning via Oberon, don't know what road we were on though.

:thumbsup:

[gary]

The 2007 Edition of the Alternate Universe, a publication that
drops through a small worm-hole situated behind the out houses at the
South Pacific Star Party, is now unofficially available at the
Astronomical Society of New South Wales web site by clicking here -
http://www.asnsw.com/alternate/AU9.pdf

The document is in PDF format which can be read by a free Adobe
viewer.

Special thanks to Tony Buckley and Lachlan MacDonald for retrieving
this year's Alternate Universe from said worm hole.

Enjoy!

Best regards

Gary Kopff
(Who has absolutely nothing to do with Alternate Universe but
is an avid reader).

[gary]

Since we were so far apart, it means a lot of people could have
potentially seen it.

It was awesome.

Best Regards

Gary

[Satchmo]

Amazing , Gary , I saw it too and was not far from you on Arcadia Rd , Arcadia :) My windscreen was a bit dusty, but I saw two strong flashes in quick succession and couldn't believe my eyes. I think that was my first naked eye daytime meteor.

***********************

I thoroughly enjoyed the SPSP. Great company as always. There is clearly resurgance of interest in SCT's due to the explosion of Digital astrophotograghy. I didn't get around much to look through many scopes as I was manning the 12" binos most of the time, but Peter Bobroffs 16" F4 was a marvel. You could lean on the tube/mount while viewing and get very comfortable without any image vibration.

[RB]

Gary I think it might be a good idea if you start a thread in Observational Astronomy and see who else saw it too.

:thumbsup:

[gary]

Hi Mark,

Thanks for the report!

You must have been just a minute or so ahead of us then.

A few years back we went to Narrabri for the Leonids and that was the
most amazing celestial event I had witnessed except for total solar eclipses.
During the Leonid shower, we stayed up all night and were still watching them
come in well after sunrise, at least one leaving a smoke trail that lasted half
an hour or more.

However, this one yesterday was one of the best I have ever seen and
certainly I have not been lucky enough to see one that late in the day before.

Can you imagine how bright it would have been at night?

One advantage of seeing it during the day was I could resolve the dark
meteor material itself before it completely vapourized.

Best Regards

Gary

[stringscope]

Hi All,

We had a great time at the SPSP. Rod, I did have a couple of peeks though your new baby, fantastic :thumbsup: and beautiful workmanship on Peter Reid's part. Have you named it yet?

Congratulations to all the Astrophotographers, absolutely amazing work. I have just acquired an old copy of "Hartung" for sentimental reasons, It is interesting to compare the astro images in this book - all from Mt Stromlo and I asume taken by full time professional astronomers - to those taken by Mike, Mike, Houghy, Steve Crouch and others, just amazing.

Cheers,

[spacezebra]

Hi all

We have just arrived home and we are exhausted!

Excellent viewing, exceptional company and extraordinary goings on!!!

Photo's coming soon.

Cheers Petra

[Omaroo]

Jenny and I made it home yesterday after 2 weeks of traveling around the state, culminating in SPSP. We still have some more to go, but SPSP will go down as a fabulous part of our break.

Thanks to Mike and Riley Sidonio as well as Mark Suchting for the great camping company. It seems that we always manage to hook up at star parties and have a great time with you guys. Too many laughs and conversations to count! :) Congrats on the imaging comp Mike(s)! As per Lostock, it was also fantastic to have a good amount of time on the dual 12" binoscope that mark brought along on behalf of Paul, its owner. I really can't wait to start on mine.

It was great to meet new (to me) faces such as Jack Child (ex JPL), George, Jim & his kids, Rob (rcmb), Peter Bobroff (and his fabulous aluminium dobs) and plenty of others too. It was great to catch up with Mike Salway and have a beverage and some nibblies with him.

Toys bought? Well, I purloined a William Optics ZenithStar 66ED Petzval (lovely manufacturing quality for the outlay) and a 2" SCT star diagonal to match as well as several books - the most precious being a portfolio of original JPL-printed images and type-written descriptions of the Voyager 2 flyby of Neptune and its moons in 1988. Mind-boggling bit of history indeed. Thanks Jack.

I look forward to next year! :thumbsup:

[33South]

Must agree, based on the comments I heard I thought "Mother" would be an appropriate name

[GTB_an_Owl]

292 stayed another day and arrived home about 3-30 this arvo

absolutely stuffed and still having moments of dispair over the lightbridge

it was very cloudy on Sunday night early and there were a few spots of rain, so most went off to bed
i woke around 2am and enjoyed a look around till 5am, then went back to bed

all in all a good weekend - but not COLD enough for my liking


geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

PS

i don't know whether to BURN or frame the ticket

[GTB_an_Owl]

Oh and Petra

i finally got him home - well to Blacktown anyway

[netwolf]

Ok I will bite because i missed out on all the fun, who the heck is 292?

Regards

[GTB_an_Owl]

Twas the Owl - unfortunately

[netwolf]

Geoff are you 292?

[GTB_an_Owl]

did i not just say that ?

now i spose you all want to know the significance of the number 292 ?

[Rodstar]

Geoff's number was called as the winner of a 16" lightbridge, and he was not there to receive it. The rules stated that he had 30 seconds to claim the prize, then another number was called out. Consequently, Geoff missed out.

I feel for you, mate.

[GTB_an_Owl]

Ok - i need to clarify that point Rod

as it turned out, i had registered twice for the star party
so when i got there i recieved TWO tickets

as you do - i put the tickets in the plastic holder and pinned it to my hat

on saturday i checked my ticket number before the draw - and it read number 50 - my first registration number

i forgot that i had a second ticket under that one.

i was actually standing in the side doorway next to the ligtbridge when the ticket was drawn - and i was wondering the same as everyone else

who was the lucky bugger with ticket # 292

on sunday when they asked if we could leave the plastic ticket holders in the box on the desk, i of course complied willingly
that was when i realised i had a second ticket
292 , i said to myself - the number sounded familiar

and so the story goes

[Kal]

I'm speechless Geoff!!! :scared2:

[netwolf]

I am real sorry I asked. So that was you behind the fan contemplating in the photos. So close yet so far, I too am speechless.

[spacezebra]

Hi there

Good to hear that you got home safe and sound, how is Michael? We arrived about 5.20 pm ish. I have sent you an email about the boots - I need your DD details.

Cheers Petra

[gary]

G'day Geoff,

One thing is for certain. Few of us will ever forget your anecdote as
it files away neatly into the big cabinet of life's lessons.

Good to see you have taken it so well and see the events with that
familiar recognition that only comes with having been on the planet
for multiple decades of revolutions around the Sun.
Lady Luck is fickle. She giveth and she taketh away.

And us older farts know she is only really nasty when she takes away
something precious you had, rather than not deliver some extra bonus you
might have had.

Good on ya mate and we'll see you again soon.

Best Regards

Gary

[ausastronomer]

Geoff,

I also have to commend you on your philosphical attitude to, "what might have been".

Many would have "spat the dummy", under similar circumstances. Catch you at Kulnurra soon.

CS-John B

[Satchmo]

You could look at this another way. Holding two tickets , Geoff had twice as good odds of winning the Lightbridge than anybody else at SPSP , and those odds 'came through' for him. Either he fluffed it for forgetting about the second ticket, or kharmic forces were at play and he is saved from wrestling with his conscience for life . :D

[Rodstar]

The plot thickens, Geoff. You poor mug.

[GTB_an_Owl]

a couple of things i keep telling myself Mark

1) maybe it might have looked bad if a vendor had won a (especially major) prize
2) i do have a certain relationship with Bintel (which also might have looked bad)
3) yes i did have two tickets - and what would have happened had the society reimbursed me for one of them later ?

4) i have no where to store it here at home anyway

5) if i need aperture i can go borrow a certain nephews 16'' - and better than that, there is a very nice 20'' right here local that will satisfy any bout of aperture fever i might have (isn't there Rod ?) .

6) i still have to serve my apprenticeship on my 8"

DO ANY OF YOU BELIEVE ANY OF THESE EXCUSES I AM COMING UP WITH ?

:sad::sad::sad: :screwy::screwy:

geoff

[xstream]

Life goes on Geoff, and you'll be richer for it. ;) (Don't forget your DD details)

What a great weekend once again catching up with old friends, meeting new ones and to those that I didn't get to meet, we'll make it next time.

SPSP is always an enjoyable experience that just seems to have this captivation that makes you want to come back year after year. Here's looking forward to next years. :cheers:

[33South]

Yep, you know what scares me,:scared: the though of being at spsp or any sp for that matter with you guys when the weather is real bad:rain: and we have to find alternative ways to pass the time.:sadeyes:

:drink: :painting: :cheers::violin::party::drink:

[xstream]

Are you insinuating we're a bad influence Chris? :rofl: :lol: :rofl:

[RB]

Oh my gosh Geoff...............:scared: :scared: :scared:


:rofl: :confused: :prey: :whistle: :rofl:

[MortonH]

If this was America, you could probably sue...

Geoff, I know it's no consolation, but the rest of us didn't win anything either.

On a separate note, I'd like to say that I thoroughly enjoyed SPSP. It was the first time I've had my 'new' 8" Dob out under a dark sky and I was so engrossed with the views I forgot look through any of the big scopes, apart from a quick look through the 16" Lightbridge (lots of coma, by the way).

My wife and I were staying off-site at the Ryder Homestead. Since she isn't an astro buff, we went back around midnight. The sky there was so much more transparent than it had been at Wiruna that I set up the scope again and sat up till 3:30am, having wonderful sharp views of Jupiter and amazing wide-field views of the Milky Way. I also discovered for the first time the true value of a UHC filter under dark skies.

On Saturday I slept in and missed the vendor displays, then did the same on Sunday cos our alarm didn't go off! And on Saturday night we packed it in around 10pm cos of the cloud. But it didn't matter. That Friday has got me firmly hooked once again. I'm already dreaming of a bigger Dob with Argo Navis...

I wish I'd made more of an effort to meet some of you. I did catch up with Mike 'Okiscopey', plus I met a visitor from Canada who asked me for a sky tour. This was potentially embarrassing as I haven't learned my way round the southern skies yet (I'm from Scotland, where we know the clouds by their first names) but a quick look at Omega Centauri was enough to make him want to move here!

Can't wait for the next one. Unfortunately, due to limited holidays, I don't think I can make the Border Stargaze, but we'll see...

Morton

[strongmanmike]

Well Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaark me!

Good that you are so philisophical about it and obviously taking it in your stride.....


:lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: :lol: :rofl: ...................:doh: :( :mad2: :mad2: :mad2: :scared: :scared: :scared: :scared:

[okiscopey]

What clouds? I reckon it was the CARROT JUICE!

[MortonH]

Carrots may help you see in the dark, but they don't help keep your eyes open when you only had three hours sleep the night before!

Morton