Queensland Astrofest 2025

[thunderchildobs]

Queensland Astrofest 2025

The Queensland Astrofest is currently scheduled to take place from Friday May 23rd to Sunday 1st June, 2025.
The committee is waiting for final confirmation of the dates.

Important: Note the much earlier date for the Astrofest than the traditional July / August dates. This was done at the request of Astrofest long timers to see a different part of sky. The dates will give an opportunity to observe Leo / Virgo while the Milkyway will still be available later in the night.

The camp will take place at Lions Camp Duckadang, Linville, Queensland – situated 166 kilometres north-west (within 2 hours) of Brisbane

Details and updates to Queensland Astrofest will appear on Astrofest’s website, Facebook page and in this thread.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Registrar on the email address below.

Contact Email: registrar@qldastrofest.org.au
Website: www.qldastrofest.org.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QLDAstrofest

I was authorised to make this announcement on behalf of the Queensland Astrofest Committee.

[thunderchildobs]

Planning for Astrofest 2025

The Astrofest Committee has begun planning for 2025. The Committee is looking for feedback, comments, suggestions and volunteers on the following topics.

You can either respond here or by emailing the Registrar directly at registrar@qldastrofest.org.au

1) Astrofest Meals.
Important: No catered meals for 2025.

The Committee is aware of the issues that have been raised in regards to the price and quality of some of the meals that have been provided at the Astrofest.

The following relates to providing catered meals for lunch and tea. Breakfast has never been catered. The Astrofeast meal will be covered separately. For 2023, Duckadang required a minimum 15 meals to be ordered for a given meal time to make it economical for them to provide the meals. If 15 meals are not ordered for a given meal time, no meal will be prepared. The meals need to be pre-ordered and pre-paid 2 weeks prior to the camp. For 2023, only two meals met the 15 meal minimum. Prices for meals in 2023 were $25 for lunch and $30 for tea.
Any requests for refunds on meals must be made directly to Duckadang and not to the Astrofest Committee.
Not knowing if the minimum number of meals would be met until 2 weeks before the camp caused a lot of extra work for the committee and confusion for attendees who were planning for catered meals.

Prices for meals in 2025 are expected to be $25 for lunch and $35 for tea and minimum of 20 meals.

As a result of the above the Committee has decided not to offer catered meals this year.

The committee is looking at providing a freezer in addition to the current cold room.
There are 3 microwaves at the camp. There is also the BBQ in the Rotunda..

2) Committee positions and helpers.
The Committee would like to have a few extra people on the committee to help spread the work load. If you have been enjoying the Astrofest over the years, this may be the time to give a little back. Some of the duties for committee members include
a) Providing updates to your local club.
b) Helping with working bees at either Duckadang or in Brisbane.
c) Help setting up and packing up the camp.
d) Helping with the smooth running of the camp.
If you do not wish to be on the committee, there might be other ways you can help prior to or at the camp.


3) Speakers and workshops.
a) The Committee would like to hear from anyone who is planning to attend the Astrofest and would be willing to give a presentation or run a workshop.
b) The Committee is also interested to hear suggestions for what sort of presentations, workshops or other activities that attendees would like to see.

4) Sponsors and Supporters.
Sponsors and Supporters play an important in keeping the Astrofest running. Their contributions help keep the costs down, updating and maintaining equipment, subsidising guest speakers. If you wish to help sponsor the Astrofest or know of a company that could sponsor the Astrofest, please contact the Registrar directly.

5) 30th Astrofest.
This will be the 30th Astrofest. The Committee would love to hear your stories and see your photos from the Astrofest from previous years. The intention is to share the stories, photos (with permission) on the Queensland Astrofest website and Facebook pages and in the registration booklet.

Do you have any suggestions to make the Astrofest better?

I was authorised to make this announcement on behalf of the Astrofest committee.

[QLD_Astrofest]

I have the very sad duty to inform everyone here that Bob Grimes, a stalwart of the Queensland Astrofest has passed away.

I have just received word from Wendy Colvin that Bob Grimes passed away at 8:50 pm on the 28th January.

Bob was a representative of the Amateur Telescope Makers of Queensland and had been a fixture of the Queensland Astrofest since some of the earliest days. He was an unstoppable, tireless contributor on the committee and on the ground, before, during and after each event. His insight and wealth of knowledge drawn from years of experience was an immense asset to the Queensland Astrofest. Unfortunately his health and advanced years had lead Bob to resign from the Queensland Astrofest committee just prior to the pause caused by the pandemic. We have missed him greatly in recent years and the presence of “Harvell’s Howitzer”, a hand-crafted English fork-mounted 12 inch Newtonian, on the field. All who knew him benefited from his generous nature, expertise and ingenuity.

Our condolences are offered to Bob’s family on behalf of the Queensland Astrofest Organising Committee.

[Dennis]

That is sad news indeed, my condolences to his family and loved ones.

Bob had a special gift for lighting up the room when he entered, such a warm, kind, generous and funny man.

This is a photo I took at the Qld Astrofest in 2003, of Bob unloading his “Howitzer”.

May he rest in peace, he was a beautiful human being.

Dennis.

[QLD_Astrofest]

I received this from Wendy Colvin today.

There will be a graveside farewell for Bob on Monday 3rd February at 10.30am, at Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery, Section 15B, off Albany Creek Road in Bridgeman Downs. Afterwards there will be a wake at his daughter Anne’s house at 9 Eucalyptus Place, Albany Creek.

Cheers

[QLD_Astrofest]

There will be a graveside farewell for Bob on Monday 3rd February at 10.30am, at Pinnaroo Lawn Cemetery, Section 15B, off Albany Creek Road in Bridgeman Downs. Afterwards there will be a wake at his daughter Anne’s house at 9 Eucalyptus Place, Albany Creek.

I’ve attached a map of where the Section 15B is, in Pinnaroo Cemetery at Bridgeman Downs. It’s just about right in the middle.

[astroron]

I am sad to hear of the passing of Bob.
I remember with fondness the first
Astrofest when Bob,Mario and other members
of the ATMQ unloaded their absolutely
amazing and wonderfully
constructed telescopes.
I had seen nothing like them before.
Rest In Peace, Bob you will be surely
missed by your family and friends,
as well as the astronomical community.
Ron

[AstroJunk]

An absolute top fellow, the definition of stalwart and it was a privilege to walk in his steps across the hallowed astrofest turf.

[thunderchildobs]

Queensland Astrofest 2025
The Queensland Astrofest is scheduled to take place from Friday May 23rd to Sunday 1st June, 2025.

The camp will take place at Lions Camp Duckadang, Linville, Queensland – situated 166 kilometres north-west (within 2 hours) of Brisbane

For those who have not been to Duckdadang before, here are a few photos showing the main observing areas for the camp.

Details and updates to Queensland Astrofest will appear on Astrofest’s website, Facebook page and in “Ice In Space”.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Registrar on the email address below.
Contact Email: registrar@qldastrofest.org.au
Website: www.qldastrofest.org.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QLDAstrofest

[thunderchildobs]

𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝐏𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬
𝐄𝐫𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐯𝐚𝐧 𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐕𝐞𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐡𝐨𝐭𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐲

In 2006 this astrophotography competition was created in memory of Erwin van der Velden, a keen astrophotographer and Astrofest regular. The competition is open to all registrants to the Queensland Astrofest. Each entrant may submit a maximum of three (3) images for each category. Photos submitted must be taken at or since the preceding Queensland Astrofest (11th August,2023).

There are two categories which are:
Category 1 – Through a Telescope.
A telescope is regarded as 400mm focal length or greater.
Category 2 - Non-Telescope.
As the name suggests, photos taken without a telescope or less than 400mm focal length.

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

All entries will be electronic and must be emailed to both the Registrar (registrar@qldastrofest.org.au) and to webmaster (web@qldastrofest.org.au) to facilitate any online use.

Entries MUST be received no later than the Friday 16th May, 2025.
All photos will be displayed on screens in the Dining Room for the duration of Astrofest. No names will be shown. Entries are voted upon by Astrofest registrants throughout the event, and winners announced during the AstroFeast on the final Saturday.
𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐬𝐭
Pictures must have been taken during the course of the current Astrofest, can be of anything at all, not just astronomical items. They are to be submitted digitally (normally USB) to a Committee member, and will be voted on by the Committee only. Some of the most non-astronomical memorable images in recent times have been seen in this competition

The recent winners are
2023 Telescope - Nathan Eikenbary "M83"
2023 Non Telescope - Renato Langersek "Carnarvon Moonset With Friends"
2023 Best of Fest - David Hough "Galactic Transit Crux"
2022 Telescope - Joe Cali "Comet Leonard 31 Dec"
2022 Non Telescope - Joe Cali "On a Dark Deserted Highway"
2022 Best of Fest - Joe Cali "Astrofest Foggy Night"
(Note the images have been rescaled to meet the 200K limit on images)
All images are copyrighted by their respective owners.

As an aside, the Astrofest Committee would love to hear from anyone who would like to claim taking the last film (non-digital) astrophoto from the camp.

The Queensland Astrofest is scheduled to take place from Friday May 23rd to Sunday 1st June, 2025.
Details and updates to Queensland Astrofest will appear on Astrofest’s website, Facebook page and in “Ice In Space”.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Registrar on the email address below.
Contact Email: registrar@qldastrofest.org.au
Website: www.qldastrofest.org.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QLDAstrofest

[alan meehan]

i just read the passing of Bob a true gentleman ,he will be missed RIP my friend ,i myself cannot get to astrofest this year as i having surgery at that time ,i wish everyone clear skies ,houghys going so he can have my photons have a great time guys and girls

ALAN

[thunderchildobs]

The Queensland Astrofest Committee would like to announce and our appreciation of the first major and returning sponsor for the 2025 Queensland Astrofest.

Software Bisque.

Software Bisque is offering one of their most popular software packages for the raffle.

TheSky™ Imaging Bundle https://www.bisque.com/product/thesky-imaging-bundle/
.
Its retail value is $USD 695 and it consists of
TheSky™ Professional https://www.bisque.com/product/theskyx-pro/
Cameras+ https://www.bisque.com/product/cameras-and-devices-module/
TPoint™ https://www.bisque.com/product/tpoint/

sold separately, those software packages total a $USD 925 value.

Software Bisque details
Website: https://www.bisque.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/softwarebisque/

Sponsors and Supporters play an important in keeping the Astrofest running. Their contributions help keep the costs down, updating and maintaining equipment, subsidising guest speakers.

The details of how to purchase raffle tickets will be announced shortly. Raffle tickets will be available to be purchased online and at the Astrofest. Raffle tickets purchased at the Astrofest are cash only, there are no EFTPOS facilities at the camp. Important: You do not have to attend the Astrofest to purchase raffle tickets.

If you can, please send a thank you to Software Bisque for sponsoring the Queensland Astrofest.

The Queensland Astrofest is scheduled to take place from Friday May 23rd to Sunday 1st June, 2025.
Details and updates to Queensland Astrofest will appear on Astrofest’s website, Facebook page and in “Ice In Space”.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Registrar on the email address below.
Contact Email: registrar@qldastrofest.org.au
Website: www.qldastrofest.org.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QLDAstrofest

[QLD_Astrofest]

Thanks Alan... we miss you up here, and will be thinking about you.

[thunderchildobs]

Guest Speaker: Professor Jonti Horner At The 2025 Queensland Astrofest
The Queensland Astrofest Committee is pleased to announce that Professor Jonti Horner will be the guest speaker for the Astrofest. Professor Horner will be speaking on “A Comet’s Tale” (Details below). The talk will take place on Saturday May 31st at 12:00pm just before the Astrofeast. The talk is open for all the Astrofest attendees and those who have purchased a day pass.

A Comet's Tale
There are few things more spectacular than a Great Comet. Whilst many comets continually grace our skies, the majority remain far too faint to see with the naked eye. On average, a truly spectacular comet (a 'Great Comet') will come along every decade, or so. But comets are like busses - you can wait thirty years, and then two come along at once!

In the last few months, our skies have been graced by two comets that might well be considered to be the Great Comets of 2024 and 2025. Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan-ATLAS) put on a fantastic show in late September and through October last year, whilst C/2024 G3 (ATLAS) was spectacular in January this year, despite appearing to fall apart as humanity watched on.

But what ARE comets? Where do they come from? And how do they work? To learn the answers to these questions (and many more!), join UniSQ's Jonti Horner to hear the story of "A Comet's Tale".

Jonti first became interested in astronomy at the age of five, after seeing the BBC TV programme ‘The Sky at Night’, and soon became an enthusiastic amateur astronomer. He joined his local astronomical society in the UK, WYAS (the West Yorkshire Astronomical Society) at the age of eight, and is currently honoured to serve as the society’s honorary president. To pursue his dream of turning his hobby into a career, Jonti studied a Masters’ degree in Physics and Astronomy at the University of Durham, before moving to the University of Oxford to undertake his doctoral studies. Once his PhD was complete, Jonti worked as a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of Bern and the UK’s Open University before moving to Australia in 2010 to work at UNSW. In 2014, he moved to Toowoomba, to join the University of Southern Queensland, where he is now Professor of Astrophysics. His research ranges from the study of our own Solar system to the search for planets orbiting other stars, as well as trying to understand the different factors that could come together to make one planet more or less suitable as a target in the search for life beyond Earth.

Jonti has a regular weekly slot on ABC Radio Queensland's Evenings show, talking about the latest in Space news, and has appeared in Australian documentaries and on a variety of international podcasts. He writes regular articles for The Conversation (https://theconversation.com/profiles/jonti-horner-3355/articles). In 2023, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) chose to name an asteroid after him: (32520) Jontihorner - a small and unusually reflective object moving near the middle of the Asteroid belt.

General Information
The Queensland Astrofest is scheduled to take place from Friday May 23rd to Sunday 1st June, 2025.
Details and updates to Queensland Astrofest will appear on Astrofest’s website, Facebook page and in “Ice In Space”.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Registrar on the email address below.
Contact Email: registrar@qldastrofest.org.au
Website: www.qldastrofest.org.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QLDAstrofest


Please support our Sponsors and Organising Clubs
Software Bisque
https://www.bisque.com/
https://www.facebook.com/softwarebisque/

Astronomical Association of Queensland (AAQ)
https://www.aaq.org.au/
https://www.facebook.com/A.A.Q.astroclub

Brisbane Astronomical Society (BAS)
https://bas.asn.au/
https://www.facebook.com/BrisbaneAstronomicalSociety/

Comet Atlas image (C) Jonti Horner

[QLD_Astrofest]

We have recently become aware that Hugh Esmond has passed away. Hugh has been a long-time attendee of the Queensland Astrofest, and we would like to honour him on our Roll of Honour on the Astrofest Banner.

Could someone please reply and let us know when he passed and if he had a club affiliation.

Our belated condolences to Hugh’s family and friends. He was greatly respected and liked in the astronomical community.

Could we also take this opportunity to request if anyone knows someone else who has been a supporter and attendee of the Queensland Astrofest who has passed, and if you’ll let us know the above details so that they may also be honoured in the same manner.

On behalf of the Queensland Astrofest Committee.

[QLD_Astrofest]

Dear Queensland Astrofest supporter,

This is a notice to let you know that the Queensland Astrofest Registration is now live. Earlier we have been testing the Registration ‘page and all test entries were deleted. If you inadvertently logged on and used the registration page today, please log on again and complete a valid registration.

Proceed to the Queensland Astrofest website https://www.qldastrofest.org.au/, and navigate to the Registration ‘page.

Sincerely
Tony Surma-Hawes
Co-Registrar
Queensland Astrofest

[thunderchildobs]

Oops: The problem with selecting some registration start dates has been resolved. Sorry for the inconvenience. (Updated 28/03/2025 12:53pm).

[FrancoRodriguez]

I've booked for 24th to 26th. It will be my first star party...can't wait!

[thunderchildobs]

Important: All caravan sites are now fully booked as at 30th March, 2025.

Anyone who has booked a caravan site will be receiving a notification in the next few days.

[thunderchildobs]

Friends No Longer With Us

The Queensland Astrofest Committee is updating the “Queensland Astrofest Roll of Honour” for friends of the Astrofest who have passed away. If you know someone who has passed away and had an involvement with the Astrofest either as a regular attendee, committee member or supporter and would like them to be added to the roll, please contact the Registrar on the email below with the person’s name and club affiliations.
.

General Information
The Queensland Astrofest is scheduled to take place from Friday May 23rd to Sunday 1st June, 2025.
Details and updates to Queensland Astrofest will appear on Astrofest’s website, Facebook page and in “Ice In Space”.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Registrar on the email address below.
Contact Email: registrar@qldastrofest.org.au
Website: www.qldastrofest.org.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QLDAstrofest


Please support our Sponsors and Organising Clubs
Software Bisque
https://www.bisque.com/
https://www.facebook.com/softwarebisque/

Astronomical Association of Queensland (AAQ)
https://www.aaq.org.au/
https://www.facebook.com/A.A.Q.astroclub

Brisbane Astronomical Society (BAS)
https://bas.asn.au/
https://www.facebook.com/BrisbaneAstronomicalSociety/

[thunderchildobs]

DWARFLAB Sponsors the 2025 Queensland Astrofest

The Queensland Astrofest Committee would like to announce and our appreciation of DWARFLAB for being a first time major sponsor of the 2025 Queensland Astrofest.

DWARFLAB

DWARFLAB is offering one of their DWARF 3 Smart Telescopes for the raffle.
DWARF 3 Smart Telescope https://dwarflab.com/products/dwarf-3-smart-telescope

With its compact size, automatic setup, and shooting capabilities, the DWARF 3 smart telescope makes astrophotography accessible to anyone, anywhere. Capture the Moon, Sun, Milky Way, Galaxy, and Nebula in just minutes. What’s more? You can also use the DWARF 3 for bird watching and shooting 1 billion pixel panorama photos.

The DWARF 3 is valued at $ 817 AUD.

DWARFLAB details
Website: https://dwarflab.com/en-au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dwarflab https://www.facebook.com/groups/dwarf3

A DWARF 3 Smart Telescope will be demonstrated at the Astrofest by an Astrofest attendee for those who want to see one in action.

Sponsors and Supporters play an important in keeping the Astrofest running. Their contributions help keep the costs down, updating and maintaining equipment, subsidising guest speakers.

If you can, please send a thank you to DWARFLAB for sponsoring the Queensland Astrofest.

The details of how to purchase raffle tickets will be announced shortly. Raffle tickets will be available to be purchased online and at the Astrofest. Raffle tickets purchased at the Astrofest are cash only, there are no EFTPOS facilities at the camp. Important: You do not have to attend the Astrofest to purchase raffle tickets.

The Queensland Astrofest is scheduled to take place from Friday May 23rd to Sunday 1st June, 2025.

Details and updates to Queensland Astrofest will appear on Astrofest’s website, Facebook page and in “Ice In Space”.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Registrar on the email address below.
Contact Email: registrar@qldastrofest.org.au
Website: www.qldastrofest.org.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QLDAstrofest

[thunderchildobs]

Queensland Astrofest History 1993 - 2025
The Queensland Astrofest Committee is working on the history of the Astrofest. The Committee is putting together pictures of people, equipment, observing areas, general camp area and Group Photos.

In particular the Committee is looking for
Group photos - 1997, 2000, 2014
General photos - 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2006, 2006, 2012, 2013

The Committee is also looking for articles that may have appeared in the various club newsletters.

If you think you can help, please email the Registrar at registrar@qldastrofest.org.au

General Information
The Queensland Astrofest is scheduled to take place from Friday May 23rd to Sunday 1st June, 2025.
Details and updates to Queensland Astrofest will appear on Astrofest’s website, Facebook page and in “Ice In Space”.
If you have any questions, you can contact the Registrar on the email address below.
Contact Email: registrar@qldastrofest.org.au
Website: www.qldastrofest.org.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/QLDAstrofest


Please support our Sponsors and Organising Clubs
Software Bisque
https://www.bisque.com/
https://www.facebook.com/softwarebisque/

DWARFLAB
https://dwarflab.com/en-au
https://www.facebook.com/dwarflab

Astronomical Association of Queensland (AAQ)
https://www.aaq.org.au/
https://www.facebook.com/A.A.Q.astroclub

Brisbane Astronomical Society (BAS)
https://bas.asn.au/
https://www.facebook.com/BrisbaneAstronomicalSociety/