Queensland Astrofest 2019

[QLD_Astrofest]

Hi fellow IceInSpacers,

The Queensland Astrofest website and registration has just gone live. If you have issues with the site, please email the registrar, the address can be found on the website https://qldastrofest.org.au/.

Please remember that meals ordered from Camp Duckadang (excluding AstroFeast) will be invoiced directly by, and paid to, Camp Duckadang.

Please take note of changes to camping and bunking arrangements on the website.

Your friendly Astrofest Committee

[multiweb]

Done now. See you all there. :thumbsup:

[peter_4059]

I'm in. Can't wait.

[h0ughy]

Yes I was reminded and have committed Alan and myself to attend this year

[RobF]

Locked in.....! :cool: :astron: :cheers:

[QLD_Astrofest]

Hi everyone,

Great start to registration this year, thank-you all who have done so already. Just a quick word to let those who have't yet registered, early-bird registration closes tonight at midnight.

Once again our good friends at Bintel have committed to supporting us by donating a Televue eyepiece, and a ZWO planetary imager as prizes in our raffle, more details to follow. Don, John and Michael from Bintel (http://www.bintel.com.au) can always be relied on for assistance for all your astronomical needs, check their website for their latest deals.

Queensland Astrofest Committee.

[QLD_Astrofest]

Hi everyone,

Just 22 days until the Queensland Astrofest kicks off. We have just gotten confirmation that Celestron, Meade, and Sky-Watcher will be major sponsors at the 27th Queensland Astrofest, Joining Bintel. Lookout for more information on how they are supporting the Raffle in coming days, visit the Queensland Astrofest website, or visit the websites of our major sponsors.

You are able to buy raffle tickets from the organizing clubs' representatives, by direct deposit to the Queensland Astrofest and notifying the Registrar (bank details on the website), or by purchasing at the Astrofest.

If you are unable to pick up your prize from either the camp or any representative Club meetings, winners to pay registered postage or freight of prize.

[mcourtin]

Looking forward to it!

[Nino]

Just a quick one, did anyone keep a copy of the minimum temperatures from astrofest last year (2018)? If you did can I please have a copy.

[glenc]

Are you looking for something to image or observe?
The attached file lists 60 objects south of declination -20.
10 open clusters
10 globular clusters
10 nebulae
10 planetary nebulae and
20 galaxies
Objects after NGC 2808 are visible in the evening in late July.

[troypiggo]

Thanks Glen!

[MichaelSW]

John,

G'day.

I camped under the trees on the Lower Camp Ground with a Max / Min analogue thermometer set up. Recorded the overnight minimums each morning:- Thurs 02AUG 1.2, 03AUG 1.8, 04AUG 6.8, 05AUG 3.0, 06AUG 7.0, 07AUG 7.0, 08AUG -1.5, 09AUG -2.0, 10AUG 0.0. Sat 11AUG morning was foggy and wet - didn't record the temp.

And whenever there was frost on my table up on the Visual Field I wrote a Report in it.

Cheers.

[OuterObsession]

Anyone know if bintels doing a discount code this year?

[glenc]

These times are for Duckadang (-26.7494, 152.2405)

The Moon rises at 1:26 am on Fri night (actually Sat morning) etc
Twilight is astronomical twilight

Date Sunset Twilight Darkness Twilight Sunrise
---- ------ -------- -------- -------- -------
Fri 26 Jul 19 17:20, 18:41, 18:41 - 01:26, 05:13, 06:34
Sat 27 Jul 19 17:21, 18:41, 18:41 - 02:25, 05:13, 06:33
Sun 28 Jul 19 17:21, 18:41, 18:41 - 03:26, 05:13, 06:33
Mon 29 Jul 19 17:22, 18:42, 18:42 - 04:28, 05:12, 06:32
Tue 30 Jul 19 17:22, 18:42, 18:42 - 05:12, 05:12, 06:32
Wed 31 Jul 19 17:23, 18:43, 18:43 - 05:11, 05:11, 06:31

From SkyMapPro

[QLD_Astrofest]

Our friends at Bintel say that they will be bringing vouchers up with them this year. I imagine that if you are not there on the final weekend you could contact them directly. Likely they will confirm with the Registrar if you are registered.

[QLD_Astrofest]

Sorry for the short notice.

The Erwin van der Velden (EVDV) Memorial Astro-Imaging Competition will be held once again at this year's Queensland Astrofest.

Images will be displayed electronically via a multimedia display in the Dining Hall.

The Categories are:

Through a Telescope - 400mm or greater.

Non-Telescope - must not be taken through a telescope and must be less than 400mm focal length.

Photos may be deep field, wide angle, planetary, lunar or special interest involving an astronomical object or theme for either category.

Ideally I would like to have photos printed for display as this would be an advantage for voting.

The hard copies can be brought up during the Astrofest, however I need to have the electronic versions by Wednesday next week.

Please PM me your interest and I will give you my email address so you can send your image. If you know of anyone interested in submitting an image, please let them know.

[QLD_Astrofest]

Program Announcement

Anthony Wesley will be the Guest Speaker on Saturday 3rd August. His talk is "Jupiter and JUNO: Pro/Am Collaboration" - How the amateur community has contributed to the JUNO mission to Jupiter.

I don't think that are many people who visit these forums would be unfamiliar with Anthony's planetary imaging prowess. We are very glad that he is able to make time to visit us share his insights.

Cheers
QLD Astrofest

[Nino]

Thank you Michael, that was exactly what i was after.

[GrahamL]

The coldest night i ever spent in a tent was on the lower camp ground

-3 up the top it was much colder walking down the hill.

[QLD_Astrofest]

Don Whiteman from Bintel has both the imager and the visual observer in mind when he donated prizes to the Queensland Astrofest Raffle.

First off is a ZWO ASI 290MM Monochrome Camera (https://www.bintel.com.au/product/zwo-asi-290mm-low-noise-read-camera/?v=6cc98ba2045f).
ZWO have become the world leaders in CMOS technologies making astro-imaging an affordable craft for amateur astronomers. The ASI 290MM being more sensitive in the infrared makers it perfect for planetary imaging. Small pixels offer extremely high resolution with almost no read noise. Having an ST4 port is can also be used for Autoguiding and USB3 offers fast downloading.

And for the visual observer there is a Tele Vue DeLite 7mm (https://www.bintel.com.au/product/tele-vue-delite-7mm/?v=6cc98ba2045f)
Named DeLite because that best describes the viewing experience, these high quality eyepieces provide a truly wide field of view without breaking the bank, and are an excellent choice for those looking for their first foray into the world of Tele Vue optics.

Tele Vue engineered their DeLite eyepiece series to be as sharp and clear as their venerable Delos line, but smaller and more lightweight. The eyepiece features fully multi-coated optics, a wide 62° field of view, and a long 20mm eye relief. It employs their proprietary locking eye-guard which lets you set the eye relief in the perfect position whether you wear glasses or not.

[QLD_Astrofest]

Online registrations close tonight at midnight so if you've been putting it off to the last minute... this is the last minute.

Registration will still be available at camp, and the website will be updated as we are able... internet access is erratic at best.

Please send me a PM if you would like to enter into the Erwin van der Velden Photo Competition.

Finally, congratulations to the winners, HM's and HC's in the David Malin Awards.

[QLD_Astrofest]

Celestron Australia have donated a voucher for $1000.00 to be spent in their online store. If you managed to score this in Raffle it will make that purchase decision you've been thinking of much easier to make.

[multiweb]

All packed up well in advance making sure I haven't forgotten anything. I'll probably remember over the next few days. :lol: Hoping for clear skies and it doesn't look too shabby. :stargaze:

[h0ughy]

yet to pack, still chasing things. looking forward to this

[gaseous]

So excited, but found out today you can't have a heater or even an electric blanket in your tent - l'll have to rub dencorub all over myself before going to bed.

[h0ughy]

Or you get skewered for tripping out the imaging field by using said wimpy appliances. Buy 2 or 3 hot water bottles.

[gaseous]

Yes, top of the shopping list, and I did think that wiping out all the imaging people would be slightly frowned upon.

[acropolite]

I had planned on coming, by the time the dates were announced all the car fares on the Spirit within a few weeks of the event were booked. Maybe next year....:(

[Camelopardalis]

If you trip the imaging field, I reckon they’ll be a little more than frowning going on :lol:

[OneCosmos]

I hope everyone is having s lovely time. I can’t make it this year until the last Friday! I’m currently sat in Chermside shopping centre thinking of the atmosphere at Duckadang 😟

[astroron]

I wont be there his year,in fact I don't think I will attend again.
Never say never,but I think that's my lot.
Enjoy the astrofest. .)
Cheers :thumbsup:

[RobF]

Sorry to hear Ron :(
Last night was a goodie...!

[OneCosmos]

You’ll certainly be missed.

[Andy01]

Just wanted to thank Tony, Anne-Louise & the Astrofest committee for inviting me up to sunny QLD to deliver a couple of presentations on the weekend. :thanx:

Camp Duckadang is a great facility, with excellent company and crisp clear skies on Saturday night.

Dennis was kind enough to drive his 18" dob to show me the Ring, Bug & other northern objects that I hadn't seen before - which was fascinating. :thumbsup:

Back in Melbourne now - hope those of you who attended my presentations got some value from them too :D

[firstlight]

Sorry not to see you this year... we will be thinking of you.

[firstlight]

Thanks Andy. I'm glad you were able to have a good time, and looking forward to seeing you again.

Cheers
Tony

[RickS]

I just got back from a work trip to the US and will try to make it up some time in the next few days. The weather in Brisbane isn't looking promising. I hope the forecast is better up there!

Cheers,
Rick.

[OneCosmos]

I should have asked this a week ago but, is anyone planning to be at Astrofest this coming weekend who has a copy of Turn Right at Orion I could take a look at?

Actually just thought perhaps it is Turn Left at Orion?

[rrussell1962]

Sent you an SMS Chris.

[OneCosmos]

Thanks.

[multiweb]

Great Astrofest again. Good catching up with everybody. Weather was good enough to get plenty of data over the period. Thanks to the organisers for another successful camp. :thumbsup: Has anybody seen the cool video that Dylan did?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6PmKBjPKIps