Toowoomba Astronomy!

[Trido]

heh I feel like one of those really annoying people who ask 1000 questions. :P

Anyway, I have been looking for information on a local astronomy club in Toowoomba, Queensland, but can't find anything in the phone book. Does anyone know of any local clubs? As I mentioned in an earlier post I know there are plenty around Brisbane and the coast, but travelling that far is not possible due to work. Something around Toowoomba would be much better.

[rmcpb]

Looked through all my contacts and didn't come up with anything.

Sorry :(

[Trido]

I knew it was a bit of a long shot. Funny though. The city I live in has a Uni (USQ) that has Astronomy and Astrophysics programs. They also operate 13", 15" and 20" scopes for public viewing nights and to support staff and students studying at USQ.

Now do you think that there is an Astronomy club run by the Unis Student Guild? No. Very strange. But there is hope that I might find someone who might know more about amateur astronomy in this area.

[astro_south]

I am a member of SAS and we have our "dark sky" location out at Leyburn (approx 45 mins south west of Toowoomba). You would be more than welcome to rock up there for the dark sky weekend star party (monthly event). Check out the society's web page at www.sas.org.au for more details.

[mch62]

Andrew you forgot about that other site in the lockyer valley with the Observatory , dark shies and a small group of patrons:D.

There is an Observatory which is to the north of Toowoomba which is tied up with the University up there but i don't think it is a public concern????

Give me a PM if your interested in joining one of our get togethers in the lockyer.
Mark

[Trido]

They do have public days, but I found no specific information about it on the website. I assume an email might get a response, but who knows.

[Argonavis]

The Astronomical Association of Queensland has a few members in Toowoomba, and does some field nights at Mt Kent Observatory.

Unfortunately, the monthly meetings are in Brisbane. They are scheduled on a Saturday afternoon to allow country members (specifically from Toowoomba) to attend.

[Trido]

Shame. I work Saturdays.

[shaneclose]

We (there are only a couple of us) are just outside of Toowoomba in Helidon Spa and have just started a club.
Don't have a lot of equipment as yet but happy to have anyone drop by.
Details at seqstargazers.org (http://www.seqstargazers.org).

[Dennis79]

Still no club in Toowoomba, there is an observatory in Maidenwell, 1.5 hours north which is open to the public. James is more than happy to help anyone interested in the night sky.

Go to www.starsabove.com.au (http://www.starsabove.com.au)

[astroron]

For a FEE:P

[Trido]

hah Wow, this thread of mine is old. :) It is a shame there still isn't much in the way of organised clubs in Toowoomba, but at least there are some groups within a reasonable distance.

[Dennis79]

Ringing up or emailing him doesn't cost anything, go out there and use his stuff and it will. But $25 isn't much of a fee for anywhere between 1.5 to 3 hours. That's pretty good value for beginners.