About time we had an SA meeting.....

[asimov]

.......Dont you think? :poke:

Hand's up all that are interested...and all that are not..:D

[davidpretorius]

why not come to snake valley and we can talk about dobs!!! It is closer to you than melbourne anyway!!!

[rumples riot]

I'd be interested, weather permitting.

[asimov]

Yes, the weather will play a major part this time of year...Is it safe to assume Most SA members here are in Adelaide?

[ballaratdragons]

If you end up arranging a Star Camp for after our Snake Valley one I would love to get over there for it. Adelaide is only about 6 hours from here I think.

[iceman]

There's been at least 1 or 2 SA gatherings in the past, usually organised by Rumples and exfso. There's quite a few new SA members since then, it would be good for you guys to get together.

[asimov]

Yes, it would be good but I have no idea where to suggest as a location? Where are they usually held?

[rumples riot]

The nights are usually held at sites of people I know. One of which is very good but I am not at liberty to vouch for access. I will need to speak to Gadget (bob) to see if his friend will let us in. How many people from SA are interested? If I had numbers I could at least ask.

[rumples riot]

Little report, Bob will contact his mate who owns land at Mt Barker, it is a good site but we need to run it past the guy first to get the OK. We could have a barbie before night fall and a few drinks and then spend the night observing or shooting planetary stuff. I will run a work shop on toucam use and some processing if people are interested. Jupiter is still ok for position and this would need to be early in the night. As for the date I would suggest either the 13 or 20 August. Most likely the 20th is the better date as the moon will be not much of a problem. We could also make it later in the month if this is too soon.

Anyway this is just a suggestion and I can get it orgainsed if you like. I do need numbers though and I need to know quickly.

Paul

[asimov]

That's too early for me Paul. I couldn't get there in august at all I dont think. It could only be possible later in the year for me.

[rumples riot]

What about September 10th?

[asimov]

Should be ok. My damn circumstance's keep changing every 5 mins here. All to do with a visa application were submitting. We have to be 'on-call' 24 hrs a day with this at the moment. Any plans made have to be dropped for this reason. I'll let you know when the date get's closer Paul.

[Exfso]

I'm in Paul. date not important. :drink:

[rumples riot]

OK, so if we set the date for Sept 10th, now need to know numbers. All SA members wanting to come should let us know. The site will be most likely Mount Barker, just 20 minutes up the Freeway from the city.

[rumples riot]

All, righty. Date is set as follows Sept 10 2005 and venue will be Mount Barker. We have cleared it with the owner and they say that the centreal paddock should be fine. It has a good fov and is located high on a hill. Not a bad spot. This site does get some dew, so bring your dew gear.

What I now need is an indication of who is coming. Mud maps will be supplied so that you can find your way there. So please tell me who is interested in attending. As stated we will have a barbie for dinner with some refreshments and I will give a tutorial on webcam based planetary imaging. Moon should be around for part of the night and Jupiter will be getting a little lower, but we whould get some results. Mars will rise around 11pm and will be well placed by say 1.00am for all those keen.

So far the numbers are:
EXSFO
GADGET
ASIMOV (to be confirmed)
Rumples riot
Astroman

I do need definites. Ballaratdragons (Ken) will be more than welcome and I have a very comfy lounge to sleep on if you need accomodation.

Anyway get back to this thread and let me know whos coming, Only one month to go.

[Astroman]

I will be there, but not sure about bringing the optical lead weight with me at this stage, will have to do some electrical mods to it for portable operations. Anyway will be great to meet all the SA people and put a face to the scopes :P

[rumples riot]

No probs Andrew glad to have you along.

[Jonathan]

I can't give a definate answer until the last minute, but it sounds like a good idea to me. I'd be interested in learning more about the web cam use so I'll try my best to get there.

[asimov]

The same as Jonathan for me: last minute notification. Sorry Rumples, it's the best I can do at this stage.

[rumples riot]

Hi all, those that are interested in attending please let me know your address so that I can post you a map. This will be the easiest way of doing this. All addresses will be kept confidential.

[davidpretorius]

are any of you SA guys making the trip to ken's area late oct / early nov?

[Astroman]

Unfortunately I had a choice between there and the flinders ranges at the end of september, I couldn't resist going to one of the darkest spots in Australia. So the flinders won, although it would have been nice to meet the guys.

[rumples riot]

Yeah same for me. Am going to shoot the Flinders during Septtember, when all the wild flowers are out. Might make it though.

[rumples riot]

Alright it is getting close now and I need to confirm some numbers, and anyone else who is interested needs to let me know their address. I have received one firm address and will send the map in due course. Please see if you can attend as we would love to see all the SA contigent at the meet. Our first really big one.

[Exfso]

As you know, I am confirmed Paul.

:thumbsup:

[Astroman]

So how many do we have as confirmed, and why is September 11 so ****** popular, I have the observing run on the 10th and then on the 11th a luch BBQ and something else which skips my mind. Also had a few other requests for lunch and dinner on the same days.

[asimov]

I can comfirm I can't make it. :(

[Exfso]

Andrew it is Saturday Sept 10 mate, not the 11th.

Cheers.

Peter

[Astroman]

But Sept 10 goes into Sept 11 after midnight :)

[Astroman]

Are we going to arrange some sort of meet for this year (2006)? I wouldnt mind meeting the people behind the avatars, especially look through their nice scopes hehe. I think the last time it fell through due to bad weather.

:confuse2:

[rumples riot]

Who is going to organise it Andrew? Everytime I try people are busy or cancel. Must be me. If you organise it I will come. Not keen to do the organising this time.

[Astroman]

I have not a clue on where to have it, one thing that does come to mind is members nights or public viewing nights at pre arranged venues such as TOOPERANG or Stockport, both these sites seem to be fairly dark, with toop being the darker I think of the two, although this is only going by third hand. I would have it at my place but thats no fun, too much light. I will have a think about it and have a chat to a couple of fellow Astromates.