Texas Star Party

[gary]

Greetings from Texas!

IceInSpace members John Bambury, Andrew Murrell and Gary Kopff
are currently enroute to the TSP at Fort Davis, Texas.

Andrew is tracking with colleagues via Oklahoma City.

John and I are currently in sunny El Paso where we arrived a couple
of days ago.

Total flying time from SYD to ELP was approx. 16 hours. John spent
most of the night over the Pacific watching the myriad of selections on
the QANTAS IVOD (so many movies, so little time) while yours truly tried to
catch up on some sleep.

So efficient was the Southwest airlines light to El Paso that they
arranged to have me arrive a day before my backage.

Yesterday John and I and crossed into neignbouring Juarez, Mexico
to take in the sights and sounds. The Rio Grande here just an ankle
deep trickle. Particularly obvious was the large number of dentisto in Juarez.
Americans walk across the border for cheap root canal.

The afternoon was spent in the War Hawks museum just outside of
El Paso where John and I drooled over their impressive collection of
vintage war birds, including an impressively restored MiG 21.

Currently I am in the breakfast room of the Holiday Inn waiting for John
to wake up before we head off to the McDonald Observatory to meet
a friend for lunch. Then on to TSP which opens at noon today.

Will use this thread to post updates of the trip along with photos.

Best regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.

[iceman]

Hi Gary! Thanks for the update on the trip! Glad you are all doing well.

I look forward to hearing and seeing more over the coming weeks.

[Dennis]

Hi Gary & IIS Gang

Wow - our very first roving IIS international reporter! What a great bulletin, it sounds like you guys are having a great time. So sorry to hear about your luggage Gary, hopefully it will turn up soon.

It’s great to hear the breaking overseas news like this - please keep up the reports. Best wishes to you all and hope you have a great time at the TSP.

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy]

wow an ridgy didge international event posting!! Well done guys, and I am green with envy!!

[RB]

Thanks for the report Gary, we look forward to your updates.
Hope you get your luggage back asap.

[Ric]

Sound like it is going to be an awesome trip, you lucky devils.

Have a great time

[wavelandscott]

Great to hear you all made it safely...Please enjoy the event!

We are all jealous...(at least I am!)

I hope you get a chance to sample some of the local culinary fare...Some of that Tex-Mex stuff is seriously good eats!

Vaya Con Dios mi Amigos!

[Outbackmanyep]

McDonald observatory? MMMMMMMMMMMMMM....McDonalds

Have a great trip guys!

[spacezebra]

I want to go......:sadeyes:

Its not fair. Maybe next year before BSG 08.

Cheers Petra

[astroron]

Hi Gary, I gave you a call the other day and Mia said you were on your way to the TSP. Enjoy yourself with the gang and we look forward to some good stories on your return. cheers Ron

[gary]

Hi all,

And thank you for the well wishes.

We arrived here on Sunday to clear skies. Soon after sunset,
we were looking through Larry Mitchell's 36". M51 in a 36"
is one of the most stunning things I have ever seen in a telescope.

Andrew, John and I were also there when Al Nagler plugged his
new 100 degree FOV 13mm Ethos eyepiece into a telescope and
observed deep sky objects. We were then in the first handful of people
to look through the eyepiece under the skies. And it is one brilliant eyepiece.

Foul weather has set in and we are hoping for it to clear but it looks
unlikely. However, the social interaction is what we are really enjoying.

I gave a talk a couple of days ago on the Argo Navis TPAS system
and Andrew gave a talk tonight on the LMC that was really well
received.

Best regards

Garty Kopff
Prude Ranch Texas

[ausastronomer]

Hi all,
Here are a couple of photos from TSP.

This is Andrew Murrell receiving his Texas Star from Barbara Wilson after giving his talk on the Small Magellanic Cloud this evening

CS-John B

[ausastronomer]

Here is Gary Kopff and Al Nagler

[ausastronomer]

And here is Al Nagler and I with the 13mm Ethos in a Televue NP127. Unfortunately the shot of the eyepiece didn't come out too clear

[Dennis]

Great yarns and great piccies!

Cheers

Dennis

[Ric]

Great update guys, that new EP sounds like the bees knees for sure.

Cheers

[h0ughy]

Nice pics look forward to some fireside stories upon your return....

[ballaratdragons]

John, does this mean that you will come back to Oz with a Texas drawl?: "Hardy thar y'all" :lol:

[hector]

It is last night and the sky has cleared for the last two nights to do some observing. John Gary and I have spent several hours with Al Nagler reviewing his new photographic scopes with the new Ethos 100 Deg FOW eyeipece. We were able to view the whole Veil Nebula which is almost 4 degrees across in one eyepiece field. The views through the 36" is something and I may have to get one. We have ALL spent to much on new goodies. The Talks every night have been great and I am so galde I came first as the other talks were hard acts to follow especially Alan Dyer. I did tell them a little about all the things that they miss out on. Alans talk went even further, pretty much saying that the northern skies are ok but the ONLY place to observe is the south.
I will leave some of the other things for Gary and John to report as it is better to come from them.
All in all it has been a great week. But I need my Milky Way fix and I just can't get it here.
Clear Skies
Andrew

[CoombellKid]

Maybe/hopefully with a green card and a permanent visa :)

regards,CS

[ausastronomer]

Hi all,

Well TSP 2007 is over. Gary, Andrew and I travelled about 20,000 miles for just under 2 full nights observing. I would have liked more observing time but can't complain, after all, this is the hobby "we" chose. If you don't like dark cloudy nights, buy a set of knitting needles, don't buy a telescope. Despite the limited observing time we had a ball. We met a lot of great people, renewed a lot of old aquaintances from past trips downunda and essentially received "the red carpet treatment" from all.

We got to do things on those 2 nights of observing, that many will never do in a lifetime. I feel very privileged to have been able to attend such a great event with two people so highly respected in world astronomy circles, as Andrew and Gary. Not only great in astronomical circles, both great down to earth guys. How many people can say they spent 3 hours observing with Al Nagler, through his equipment, at his invitation? How many people get to observe the premium northern hemisphere targets through Larry Mitchell's 36" telescope, sharing the eyepiece with people like Al Nagler and Alan Dyer from Sky and Telescope? I think few.

A little bit of illness is never needed on a trip like this. I developed a sore throat/cold on the flight over, which I unfortunately managed to give to Gary. Considering we shared a room for 9 days, it was probably inevitable. I went in to the doctor at Alpine on the Monday (2nd day of TSP) with a sore throat. I came home 3 hours later with a sore throat, a sore arse (where she jabbed me) and a sore wallet, when I paid the bill.

In addition to being the keynote speaker on Wednesday evening, Andrew Murrell was presented with a very prestigous award at the "official" presentations on Friday evening. Andrew was presented with the "Observers Award" by Glenn Sanner and Bob Kepple. These are two of the most respected people in the world of amateur astronomy and the authors of the "Night Sky Observers Guide". For many years Andrew has freely given his time and the use of his equipment to "everyone". Andrew is one of the most acute, astute, respected and experienced observers in the Southern hemisphere. For many years Andrew has helped host American visitors to the Southern hemisphere and devoted 100% of his time, to their goals. In addition, anyone who has had the priviledge to observe with Andrew, knows that he always freely gives his time and shares his equipment and knowledge with astronomers of all experience levels. He tirelessly encourages beginners. This is a quality not shared by many other observers of Andrews' skill level. Anyone who has observed with Andrew at Kulnurra, at either of the IISAC astrocamps, or elsewhere would atest to this. I think at least 80% of the Australian amateur astronomy community knows of "Andrew and Hector, the 20" er".

Here is a picture of Andrew being presented with the "observers award" at 2007 TSP. Andrew didn't know he was getting this award (Gary and I did) and it was poetic justice that he chose this night to wear his "ISAAC 2007 Tee-Shirt"

Congrats Andrew, well done and very well deserved mate.

[iceman]

Great report and writeup, John!

Sounds like you guys had a ball. Congrats to Andrew, too! Definitely an honor and definitely well deserved!

I look forward to more pictures and stories soon.

[Dennis]

What a lovely report John. I thoroughly enjoyed reading each word - thank you.

Cheers

Dennis

[ballaratdragons]

Excellent reporting! :thumbsup:

Do we read it with an American Accent? :lol:

[h0ughy]

looks like a crook coming in from the left to snatch Andrew......nice report and please - keep your cold!

[Rodstar]

I can speak as one relatively new to our great hobby who can honestly say that Mr Murrell has shown the same knowledge and generosity of spirit towards me that is spoken of above. As a result of my first night with Hector in a small observing group that met many months ago, my ideas about observing were transformed forever. Now I have my own "Hector". Thanks to Andrew, visual observing will never be the same again. Cheers, mate!

P.S. Ausastronomer deserves some recognition, too, methinks. There are many, including me, who are indebted to John for increasing our understanding of eyepieces, mirrors, collimation, and basically anything to do with light paths. Thanks, John, for your tireless energy in contributing to education and informed discussion on such topics on this forum and others.

[wavelandscott]

Well Said!...on both counts.

[Dennis]

We are fortunate indeed to enjoy the collective knowledge and experience of these wonderful people, who offer their help and guidance so willingly, patiently and freely.

Thanks guys.

Dennis

[Ric]

Well done Andrew, perfect timing with the choice of shirt and a great read as well.

Cheers

[RB]

Congratulations Andrew and well said Rod, I agree with every word you said about Andrew and John.
My first night at Kulnura, I met John and he went out of his way to help and advise me, even to the point of moving his own scope to give me more room for mine so I could clear the tree tops.
Andrew has give me some wonderful moments at his scope and is full of information about the object at hand.

Well done to both of you !

[hector]

Hello all

It's Monday arvo here and Gary and I have just done a tour of Chaco Canyon.
It is a wonderful place and is full of archeoastronomy to do with the position of the sun and the moon. It is also a fantastic place to visit. One of the parks rangers has donated a 25" obsession to the park and they run sky tours every second day.

I see that John has mentioned the award and I must admit I was stunned to recieve it. When they annouced that it was me my heart raced and I was barely able to stand as my legs were quite wobbley.

John has not only given the bug to Gary but also to me
THANKS JOHN

It was a pleasure to observe with so many people. If any of you get the chance to go to the TSP you will be welcomed with open arms. the people are friendly and everyone wants to lets you look through your scope. Also take lots of spending money as you will need it. John got quite a few goodies and so did I, lots of observing books.
Clear Skies
Andrew

[gary]

Howdy y'all,

What Andrew failed to mention was that in front of a packed auditorium
there was a special presentation and Andrew was presented the Lone
Star Award for excellence in observing.

This is a very special award that only gets given out once a year.

Andrew was nearly speechless at the honor but everyone agreed
it was well deserved. What was especially noted was not only
Andrew's observational prowess but his generosity in sharing the
views over many years.

I can tell you it was also a proud moment for John B. and I to simply
be in the audience to see Andrew honored in this way. I am sure many
fellow Aussie observers will also be proud for Andrew acting as such
an excellent ambassador for the hobby.

Well done!

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Currently with Andrew in Canon de Chelly, Arizona

[gary]

Greetings from Arizona!

We know that many of our loyal customers and supporters will
be delighted to know that the Australian designed and manufactured
Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer was the *Grand Prize*
at the Great Texas GiveAway at the Texas Star Party. The GiveAway
has so many prizes it lasts for two nights! However, it culminated in
a lucky winner receiving an Argo Navis.

Many attendees also attended a presentation on telescope pointing
and the Argo Navis Telescope Pointing Analysis System (TPAS) given
by myself on the Tuesday. I also gave a hands-on introduction to
mount errors, firstly in the field and followed-up at Pop's Grill in
Fort Davis on the Saturday.

It was great to meet so many Argo Navis customers and to see so many
units in use. Dave Kriege delivered ten new Obsession telescopes at the
TSP, all fitted with Argo Navis systems.

Wildcard Innovations next port of call is the Riverside Telescope
Makers Conference in California this weekend.

Best regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.

[gary]

Best object viewed at TSP?

M51 in Larry Mitchell's 36" Dob.

Closest thing I have ever seen visually that looked like
an astrophotograph.

In fact, possibly the best thing I have ever seen in a telescope - period.

Absolutely stunning ... absolutely stuninng ...

Best regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.

[ausastronomer]

I have to agree with Gary on this. I almost fell off the ladder from about 14 feet in the air. I am also pretty sure some unprintable expletives came from my mouth :) Alan Dyer actually got a shot of me up the ladder taking my first ever look at M51, which he used in his presentation on Thursday evening. He is going to email me a copy of it and I will post it here when he does. You will get an idea of how big this scope is, when you see the picture.

Gary and Andrew are travelling North through New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. I have detoured to North West Texas, to the 3RF Astronomy Campus at Comanche Springs near Crowell. As some of you will know, Andrew and I are Australian volunteers for 3RF, http://www.3rf.org/astronomy.htm . Some of the scopes at Comanche Springs are a 15" observatory class refractor and a 30" Obsession. I plan to do some lunar observing with the 15" refractor tonight and after the moon sets I will use the 30" Obsession on DSO's.

Gary/Andrew, sorry about passing on the bug. Not much I could do to avoid this.

CS-John B

[gary]

Hi John,

How are things doing at Comanche Springs?

Andrew, Van, Anne & myself spent a fabulous day at Canyon de Chelly
which for me fulfilled a life-time ambition to finally see this absolutely
wonderful place. The canyon itself is increadibly beautiful and spectacular
and added to it are the spectacle of the archeological ruins. The White
House ruin perched on the canyon wall is unforgettable as are the views
down into the canyon from above.

The afternoon saw amazingly cold 41F temperatures plus wind chill
at Monument Valley. With icey hands we snapped over 800 photographs
between us just today.

We plan on getting up at 4am for the sunrise and will be heading north
into Utah to Mexican Hat.

Chaco Canyon yesterday was equally fabulous and we paid a visit to
John Sefick who gave us a walk around of the observatory.

Best regards

Gary Kopff

[wavelandscott]

Sounds like y'all had a good time in Texas...where of course everything is bigger...and will have some fine memories and stories to tell once you get back home.

I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in the US...I especially enjoy the SW part of the US myself...The "old" knowledge of the sky and its impact on daily life of the early Native Americans is pretty interesting stuff. Gee whiz they were keen observers.

Be Safe and Enjoy!

[ausastronomer]

Hi all,

Well I have had my share of excitement at Comanche Springs. Here is a picture of the 15" Refractor at Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus. If the scope doesn't look that big in the photograph, consider these things to get it in perspective. It is in a 10 metre dome. The observing gantry under the scope is 6 feet tall. Finally, consider that the finder scope sitting on top of the main scope, which looks like a "toy" by comparison, is a 6"/F12 refractor. It is one enormous and excellent telescope. The scope has a 4.6 metre focal length and I was using a 12mm Nagler last night to look at the Moon and Saturn at 381X for outstanding views. Unfortunately, while the scope had plenty up its sleeve at this power, I ran out of seeing when I went to the next highest power eyepiece, which was a 9mm Nagler at 508X.

CS-John B

[ausastronomer]

Ha, tricked y'all. The 15" scope wasn't the real excitement at Comanche Springs. The sequence of events I describe below were :)

Larry Smith the director at Comanche Springs had mentioned they had a lot of rattlesnakes around the place. I said if you see one while I am there let me know because I would like to see it and get a picture of it, with my "telephoto lens". My intention was to photograph the snake at a safe distance.

Last night I arrived at Comanche Springs about an hour before sundown to observe with the 15" refractor. Larry said to me as I got out of the car, "there is a snake under the blackberry bush which you can get a picture of". He said, "it's not a rattlesnake but a 'bull snake', but will make for a good photograph." He said, "they are not poisonous and we like them around the place because they keep the rattlesnakes away".

Larry and I then walked over to the "blackberry bush" where I proceeded to take this photograph of the little "bull snake".

To be continued after the photograph

[ausastronomer]

Ain't that little snake pretty :)

Just prior to taking that shot Larry Smith asked me if I wanted him to move it out from under the bush. I said, "no I can get a great shot from here." Keep in mind that my camera was about 1 foot from the snake when I took that photograph with the 18 - 55mm zoom lens, I had borrowed from Andrew Catsaitis (Rocket Boy). When the shutter went off, the snake which was facing away from me, struck at me (or the camera) and missed by a couple of centimetres. The snake repositioned itself after striking and missing and settled in a slightly different position. When it settled I could clearly see the end of its tail, which I could not see, before taking the shot. I said to Larry, "Larry it's got a rattle on its tail". He took a closer look and said, "oops, I am gonna need to wear my glasses when I am out here in future". The snake then took fright at us and dissappeared under the fence. I attach another shot of it slithering under the fence. Please excuse me for not taking the time or having the courtesy of focusing properly at this time for all you people back home :)

Of course the pretty little snake happens to be a Western Rattlesnake.

Edit: When one of the local Texans (Dink Wilson) identified the snake he called it a "Western Rattler". Not knowing much about them, I automatically assumed this to mean "Western Diamond Back Rattler". Dink later explained that this snake is not a diamond back and is one of several species that come under the family of western rattlers. He said it is what's known as a "prairie rattler" and looks almost identical to a bull or gopher snake. He said they are not common in this area and he could understand how Larry thought it was a Bull snake. He admitted that when he first saw my photograph he also thought it was a Bull Snake. When I told him it had a "rattle" he knew it was a Western Rattler or "Prairie rattler". There are several sub-species of these depending on location but they are all very similar, including Desert Massasauga and Hopi rattlesnake.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Crotalus_viridis_nuntius.jpg

Here is a link to some photographs of a Bull or Gopher Snake

http://www.bentler.us/eastern-washington/animals/snakes/gopher-snakes.aspx

It's very easy to see how Larry mistook the identity and how lucky we both were, as he had offered to pick it up and move it for me to photograph.

[ausastronomer]

Now I gotta tell ya'll it wasn't until about 5 minutes later that the reality and significance of what had just happened hit home. Had the snake been facing me when I took the photograph it must surely have got me, from such close range. Young rattlesnakes of this size, about 3 feet long, are the most venomous. Medical treatment is about 2 hours drive away.

I haven't stopped changing my undies since last night :)

Never ever ever again will I ever do anything so stupid, as what I did last night and I just think myself extremely lucky not to be in hospital, very very ill at this time.

I am going to post the 1st photograph in the photography section also. While it doesn't deserve any photography award it certainly deserves a stupidity award and a few may learn from my experience, in regard to photographing dangerous creatures at safe distances.

CS-John B

[erick]

:scared: Cross off one life, John!!

I reckon that first shot shows a snake in a classic "ready to strike" position?

[RB]

Next time ask to borrow my Canon 1200mm (http://dvinfo.net/canon/images/images17.php)lens John !
You'll be able to take photos from a couple of km's away. :P

[wavelandscott]

While not a snake "expert", I was going to ask you if you were sure it was a Bull Snake...:eyepop:

Scary stuff indeed!

[Ric]

:scared: It's always safest to err on the side of caution John.
I live with the worlds No. 2 & 5 of the most poisonous and the little beggars just pop up anywhere.

It's always worse when you sit back and think about it afterwards.

Glad you are alright though.

Cheers

[gary]

Hi John,

Great to hear you are playing with the local wildlife here.

How is your weather?

Yesterday near Monument Valley it reached 32F (0C) and Andrew,
Van, Anne and I drove through a snow storm. How many more days is it
to summer? Apart from the snow, we also experienced torrential rain
here in the desert. So the TSP weather has pretty much followed us.

Somewhat warmer and sunnier today here in Flagstaff where we are about
to set off to the Grand Canyon for the day. Then I come back to Flagstaff,
fly to Phoenix, change planes, fly to Ontario International in California
and then drive to Big Bear City. Expect to get there about 1am local
time. Then up early for RTMC.

Enjoy the rest of your stay and say hi to Fred for us all.

Best regards

Gary Kopff
Flagstaff Arizona

[GrahamL]

:) great shot of some of the local wildlife john.

If you get a chance could you grab us a shot of a bear and maybe a mountain lion .. I hear they are quite friendly
once you get up nice and close :P

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Offer the bear a snake first, I hear they like being fed and are even friendlier afterwards!

:doh:

[gary]

Hi all,

Today was the opending day at the Riverside Telescope Makers
Conference (RTMC) held here near Big Bear City, California.

Sunny weather greeted attendees who came to see the
many vendors on display, include Wildcard Innovations.

This evening, despite the Moon and thin cloud, some observing
was done with Steve Kennedy on his 36" Starstructure Dob complete
with Argo Navis and ServoCAT. Once again on hand was Al Nagler
with the brilliant new 13mm Ethos eyepiece and it was a great opportunity
to test it on Steve's scope. Present all at one time was thus the man
that made the mirror, the man that made the eyepiece and the men
responsible for the positioning computer and slew and track system.
Long queues formed at the ladder.

Tomorrow is Saturday which will see meany LA enthusiasts flocking
to the event.

Best regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.

[hector]

hi all
It is sunday morning here in sunny Fredonia.
Over the last few days I have travelled with my friends to Page and Antelope canyon (sorry Gary). It is the most fantastice place I have been so far. and for Photos it is the GREATEST place on earth. the light play on the canyon walls is unreal. the country side here is MAD. Everywhere you go there is cliffs and buttes worthy of national park status but are left unnamed and forgotten due to the the names national parks in the area. I have begun to the area as the SMC (the forgotten gems).
The cabins just outside the North Rim of the Grand canyon were in a nice setting and after the mon set I found the sky to be as good as the TSP if not better. It was DARK.
Off the Las Vegas today and home tomorrow. When I get hoem I will process my 2500 odd photos and show everyone what Antelope is like.

Clear Skies
Andrew

[iceman]

Soudns great! I'm really looking forward to the photos. It's a place I'd love to visit (and photograph) some day.

[gary]

Hi Andrew,

Great to hear Antelope Canyon proved a winner. Have had a quick look of some of
the photos I took at the Grand Canyon last Thursday and many turned out very
nicely. Looking forward to transferring a couple of thousand of my own photos
from your laptop you kindly stored for me (Don't drop that laptop!).

Al Nagler told me at RTMC that he was in Flagstaff last Wednesday and
he was with Brian Skiff at Lowell who was waiting for us. Pity we rolled
in their so late owing largely to the rain and snow. Not sure if you hooked
up with Brian on the Thursday night after you dropped me off at the airport
in Flagstaff.

John reported that owing to severe weather he missed his flight from Wichita
Falls and had to be trasferred to Dallas by bus and then to Love Field by taxi.
He missed the 22:30 QF12 at LAX but he managed to get on as a standby on the
23:30 flight.

When I asked, the QANTAS check-in women kindly gave me three seats so I
could lounge-out and sleep.

Driving down the 8500' from the highest point near RTMC without
ever touching the accelerator pedal was fun, even just in the tame
Chevy Malibu. Wished we had some high ground like that in Australia
to routinely observe from.

When I asked Lachlan Macdonald whether he had any advice on RTMC he
said, "bring plenty of money". He was right. With every possible eyepiece
and accessory rolled out in front of you at sometimes bargain prices, it is
hard to resist.

Often just as impressive as the telescopes people own were the RV's they use
to transport themselves around in. Sometimes the size of a full sized coach
plus those out-riggers they have there on the side plus towing something like
a Hummer as well. Imagine the fuel bill if you drove something like that here!

Best Regards

Gary Kopff