Barambah Spring 2008 Reservations are OPEN!

[drmorbius]

Did you miss out on Astrofest? :sadeyes: Can't get enough astro-camps? :astron: Then have we got a deal for you... :cool2:

The Dark Sky Camp comittee is pleased to announce that the Spring Barambah Dark Sky Camp is on again :thumbsup: and will be held from Friday the 26th of September to Wednesday the 1st of October - that's 6 days of socialising / relaxing with like minded individuals, and 5 nights of some of the darkest skies you'll find in South East Queensland!

The camp will be held once again at the Barambah Environmental Education Centre, which is located a couple of hours NNW of Brisbane. The Barambah facility offers clean and comfortable dorm style accomodation that can house roughly 60 people and is surrounded by miles and miles of bush/grassland/forest, making for VERY dark skies at night!

More information and registration details can be found on the website :

http://www.darkskycamp.org.au/ (http://www.darkskycamp.org.au/index.shtml)

If you have any queries post your questions here, or shoot us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!

registrar@darkskycamp.org.au

The last two camps were a lot of fun and everyone had a great time. Remember, there are only 60 beds so it's first in, best dressed.

Looking forward to seeing you all there...:2thumbs:

[drmorbius]

Just to let everyone know that we've setup a news blog for the Barambah camp (it's easier to keep updated than the website).

So for the latest news and information visit the Dark Sky Camp Blog (http://darkskycamp.blogspot.com/). :thumbsup:

[AlexN]

G'day Randall,

I've registered but as yet have not paid... Reason being I've just looked at the map and had a bit of a question...

Is there 240v AC power on the observing field? Since you last saw me at Ron's my setup has grown 10 fold, and i now require power to complete a full night... my mount and dew control can run from a battery, but cameras and laptop require AC power....

Cheers mate.
Alex.

[drmorbius]

Boy, you've well and truly gone over to the dark-side, haven't you? :D

There is no power in the main field as it's about a 100 metres from the camp, so you'll need either really good batteries or a generator. There has been some talk about organising a generator but it depends on the number of imagers that show up and the costs.

Alternatively, there is a large courtyard in the camp itself that has ready access to power. While the view is somewhat more limited (a few trees nearby) than the main field, I'm told by repected imagers that it would be acceptable for their trade.

Of course, the downside to being up there is that you're apart from all us cool non-imaging people down on the observing field ;).

Any respected imagers want to comment on Barambah for Alex?

[Xeelee]

It's the perfect time Randall, right in the middle of the school hols.

I think this site is great, best view of Saturn I've ever seen. I hope I can get there this time, but chances are (45%) that I will be studying during the semester break :screwy: :sadeyes: and it also depends on "transport." :P:D

If I don't see you have a good one. :thumbsup:

Chris

[AlexN]

chris. Depending on how much gear you have i night be able to squeeze you into my car.. Else could go halves in hiring a van or something..

[Xeelee]

:D

Sorry Alex. I meant my Dad taking me.;)

[AlexN]

:) well... at least i was friendly enough to offer hey.. :)

depending on the view to the north and the east I'd be happy to setup a bit away from the observing field... besides, once its up and running, I can wander down and have a look whats going on...

Thats if all the cool non imaging people are happy to have image-nerd walking amongst them.. :)

[Dennis]

Imagers are astronomy’s Royalty; eyeballers will welcome you with open arms and will be humbled to be graced by your presence!:whistle::whistle::lol::lo l:

Cheers

Dennis (ducking and running for cover – fast!).

[AlexN]

LOL :) nice one! :D /

**running to hide somewhere...

[astroron]

I hope you find another "comet" soon Dennis:rofl::rofl::rofl:
:)Ron

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Dennis is there any chance we'll be permitted to be humbled by you gracing us with your presence for this camp? :thumbsup: Since I had to cancel my attendance at Duckadang this year I didn't get to catch you at our once a year meet, it would be great to see you again.

Not only that, but we really want to get an imager of your reputation (since we haven't managed to drag Paul out there yet) to capture some amazing quality images from Barambah. It seems few people are willing to believe just how wonderfully dark it really is out there at night until they see the evidence!

;)

(I DID see a Sky Quality Meter advertised for sale in the latest AS&T, maybe I should just buy one of those instead....)


Chris - I'll personally be very sad if you and my other old mate Spartacus can't some this time - tell him anything, just talk him into it! You guys are just the best value to spend time with and I can't imagine having our Dark Sky Camp without you!

Ron - have you worked out if you'll be able to attend this time? You were sadly missed last time, and since we haven't done any observing together for a while I hope we can make a feast of it at Barambah.

[Dennis]

Touché! That’s a screamer Ron!

Cheers

Dennis

[Dennis]

Hi Steve

I would love to attend and as the place abounds with birds and wild life, I’m trying to talk Narelle into coming too. Hope to catch up with you guys and thanks for organising the event.

Cheers

Dennis

[drmorbius]

Chris... you have to come! :sadeyes:

One of the major attractions at the camp is the Amazing Talking Portaloo, the Barambah equivalent of the Tardis/phone box.

Oh, and you can bring your dad too ;)

[jjjnettie]

My calendar has been rearranged and I will be able to make it to the camp.
If I can get off work on the Monday, I should make it for 4 nights, otherwise it will only be for Saturday night.
I'll be bringing along one or two children as well.


Alex, I'll keep you company on the Chess Board.

[drmorbius]

Hey Jeanette, that's great news! .

I'll come visit you guys on the chessboard as I'm looking forward to being dazzled by your gstar expertise. Not that I'm interested in imaging or anything... ;).

[AlexN]

I'm going to have to get a new car soon... getting to much stuff to fit into a sedan :eek:

[drmorbius]

We'll keep watch for the removalist van... :D

[AlexN]

hah.. Might con my old man to come up for the weekend, he's got a 4wd...

I just know if I only bring my deep sky gear, the seeing will be brilliant and I'll be kicking myself that I dont have my planetary imaging gear, and vice versa if I bring only the planetary gear the seeing will go like mud and I'll want my deep space gear.. grumble grumble... :)

If I can get dad interested then I can bring my dob up too and do some visual work while the imaging rig is doing its thing...

[Tandum]

Are generators allowed? I have a 30meter cable but I know how annoying generators are, even 30 meters away :)

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Good question .... we had originally hoped that any imagers would be able to be battery powered at night and could recharge during the day, however after 2 camps it's starting to look like only the more "light weight" imaging outfits have been set up to run on portable power.

I had been hoping to buy one of the new (quieter?) inverter type generators to take on this camp for a trial run, suitably equipped with a home made sound shield / box structure and a very long lead so we could park it off in the treeline somewhere.

To be honest it's very hard to predict how people will react to a generator in this quite isolated (ie VERY dark and quiet) location until such time as we actually try it. I guess without a committee decision (and perhaps we need to discuss this and make some kind of decision FAST) all I can offer is that if it's a very noisy 2 stroke generator it may not be popular with the rest of the Campers, if it's a quieter and/or 4 stroke and/or sound shielded unit it may be much more welcome.

At the end of the day the entire concept of the Barambah Dark Sky Camp is about people enjoying their astro hobby as much as possible, in a place where everyone is mutually interested, very supportive and very friendly.

When we say people we mean all people hopefully, no one person or group being disadvantaged by anyone else. Everything we do in regards this camp is based purely and solely towards this goal, and while you "Can't please all of the people all of the time" so far we appear to have been able to do exactly that.

We have been trying to find a way to make the Dark Sky Camp as attractive to imagers as it is to visual observers, but the lack of mains on the observing field has been a problem, as has the fact that the visible horizon isn't as low as we'd like in almost all directions.

As mentioned previously there is an area up in camp between the buildings, known as the "chess board" because, well, because it is a big chess board! :lol: Anyway it has 240V power available from the nearby buildings, but it isn't a large area - depending on the size of your outfit it could max out at 3-4 imagers, and the trees put even more of a cramp in your imaging field of view there than on the observing field, but anyone who wants to give it a go there is welcome to try!

I reckon if you have room, and are willing to bring the generator to try out on the grounds that if everyone else is really put off by it's noise you're willing to go along with the group mood and leave it off, then by all means please bring it along and give it a run!

Does anyone else (preferably those who will actually be attending and therefore affected by this) have any strong feelings either way towards this? Please feel free to say so either way so we know.

[Gargoyle_Steve]

With registrations continuing to arrive I'd like to point out that we have received our first registration from NSW - in fact I believe that the individual concerned lives near Sydney!
:welcome:
What a champion effort!!


Come on folks, check your calendar and get those registrations in - the 3rd Barambah Dark Sky Camp - otherwise known as the Spring '08 Camp - starts in exactly 5 weeks from today.

You don't really want to have to admit later that you missed out on the darkest skies around, do you??

;)

[jjjnettie]

While it would be nice to have power on the observing field, I feel that a generator would "disturb the peace".
Also, imaging creates a lot of light. And this would cause the visual observers to "disturb the peace".
I have no problems being up on the chessboard, I can set up a shot, then stroll down the hill to visit you guys. The extra exercise would do me good.
Besides, even if I was set up down below, I'd be going up top every half hour or so to check on my boys.

[drmorbius]

Hi all,

Just a quick note to let everyone know that we're going to have a group photo taken on Saturday (the 27th) afternoon at Barambah, so make sure you arrive in plenty of time and your hair is combed, makeup on, etc... :D

We'll email the photo out to everyone after the camp or if it's too big, post it on the website for you to download and print.

If anyone wants a quality print posted to them, just let us know on the day. Note there will be a small fee (still to be worked out) to cover our costs for printing and posting.

:camera: :):P:D;):rolleyes::whistle:

Only 5 more weeks...

[Davros]

I an going to try my best to get there but i am away for work from the 20 till the 29th at this stage. :sadeyes::sadeyes::sadeyes::sadeyes :

[Tandum]

Cheers Steve, Mine is an ultra cheap 2 stroke genny I picked up for about $100 a while ago for home use. We were having lots of power outages at the time. If there's power at the chess board, that'll do. I just need a final xray and the all clear from my doctor in about 3 weeks before registering, if there are any spots left that is :)

[AlexN]

I'd register to save yourself a spot... A bit of wishful thinking can go a long way in the healing process.

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Robin if you want to register now, and then (heaven forbid!) the X-ray isn't great news, don't worry you'll be ok re camp fees if the Doc says you can't come along, just let us know as soon as you know yourself.

As mentioned previously we're only interested in everyone enjoying themselves under Barambah's really dark skies as much as they can. We organise these camps and work hard making them succeed for the love of astronomy, not for any potential profit.

(Probably a good thing too ;) or we'd be looking lean and hungry by now.)

[Gargoyle_Steve]

I nearly let this comment slip by me .... ;)

Whaddya mean "Cause the visual observers to disturb the peace" Jeannette? You KNOW we're all a quiet, contemplative bunch, not prone to outbursts or excesses of any sort......

:lol:

[AlexN]

You bunch would get rowdy if someone ran a 2 stroke genni for any amount of time, polluting your pristine skies with filthy blue smoke :)

Are we gonna have any RC whirly birds Steve? I might bring mine for day time entertainment. :)

[jjjnettie]

I never thought of the air pollution problem generated by the generators.
We get enough of that from us walking chimneys.

[AlexN]

heh... Trying to give up the walking chimneyism...

[drmorbius]

Hope everything works out for you Robin, we'd love to see you there. And Steve's right, grab your self a spot now if you'd like, we can always change it later... no worries.

You too Mick, there'll be a spot there for you even if you show up late... maybe you could call in sick... tell 'em you're seeing stars or something...:P

And why don't we just run that generator up there at the chessboard? Make the imagers feel more at home...:poke::D

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Alex feel free to bring your helicopter up if you like, any additional daytime entertainment could be good fun, I don't know if I'll be bringing my tiny "Blue Flasher Helicopter of Death" along this time, but I'll see how it goes.
;)

[drmorbius]

You're kidding, right? Steve... you have GOT to bring the blue helicopter of death!!!!

The epic battle between the Magical Talking Portaloo and the Blue Helicopter of Death was the ultimate in astro-geek entertainment... .

[Gargoyle_Steve]

..... thinking I may bring the Flying Saucer instead - not quite so dangerous if it attacks me, and actually flies considerably higher.

:rolleyes:



Would one of the moderators be so kind perhaps as to make this thread a sticky for the next 5-6 weeks, until after our Spring Camp is over please?

(Thanking you in advance....) :thumbsup:

[Tandum]

Cheers Steve,
I'll do that this week when I pay the next round of bills on line. I'm not keen though as I paid for astrofest as well and never bothered trying to get my money back after I broke my foot.

I was told I'm the first in Australia to have my foot plated instead of having a single screw inserted after a break. Plated meaning they screwed in a plate to join the break. In the post op xrays, it looks like a roofing stap with 1/2 dozen screws through it :(

I sold my dual engined 10th scale monstertruck to pay for my new scope so I have no toys to bring at all :)

[xstream]

Done!

[drmorbius]

Hmmm... Monster Truck vs Blue Helicopter of Death... that would've been good...:P

[AlexN]

the monster truck would have been good for distributing booze..

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Thanks for stickying this John. :thumbsup:


A monster truck makes a good take off platform for the helicopter ......

:whistle:

[AlexN]

Woooooh Just got confirmation that I'll have my Celestron 11" SCT in time for Barambah!!! :) Heellllllll YEAAAAHHHH!!

!! /end excitement.. (but not really.. more like /end in thread excitement..)

My head is going to asplode! :P

[Tandum]

You gotta be happy about that Alex. Will you get much of a chance to test run it before hand?

[AlexN]

couple of days...

But im sure they will be cloudy as.

[Tandum]

Hahaha ... better not be.

I've only booked for the Friday and Saturday night. After having all this time off work I need to be here on Monday morning for the usual post week-end rush to make some money :)

[AlexN]

same... im friday/saturday only too... I should be getting it the monday/tuesday of that week.

[Tandum]

We can't share a car eh, we'd never fit it all into the statesman.

[AlexN]

i have trouble getting my gear into the commodore... mind you, that was with a 1.4m long newtonian taking up most of the back seat... perhaps better with a 2ft sct.... have to wait and see i guesss..

[Tandum]

I'm looking at my eq6 still in it's box ... 2 of them and all the other crap won;t fit. I don;t own a trailer.

[Gargoyle_Steve]

If you were both looking at travelling together, would the fuel saving on bringing only one car help offset renting a trailer perhaps? Just a thought.....

[drmorbius]

:shrug: Why is it whenever I go to an astronomy camp I feel compelled to buy some new piece of gear? Is it just me?

For Astrofest it was a whole new 10" scope.

And now for Barambah I had to buy myself an 8mm Baader Hyperion eyepiece.

I'm getting as bad as Alex... :D

[AlexN]

mate... I went to astrofest with an 8" newt on an eq6 and was happy as.... since getting back, its been like an internal hunger... i dont want to buy new toys... I NEEEED to.... besides they are not toys they are scientific instruments with which I shall catalog the night sky!! yeeeesss!! :D

[drmorbius]

Right... I'll try that one with the wife... :rolleyes:

[AlexN]

just point out the article in thursdays paper about the discovery of that supernova... point to the guy in the image, and say "If I had that new scope I've been telling you about, That could have been me..."

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Luckily I haven't been buying anything!!!

See you all at Barambah - I'll be the guy with the new 64 bit laptop and the (2nd hand) modded Canon 300D ......

;)

[drmorbius]

Canon 300D? As in camera? as in... imaging??? :eyepop:

You're not turning to the dark side are you?:fight:

[AlexN]

I think you'll find that imaging is the light side... and observing is the dark side... Have you ever seen M83 in full color with fully extended arms etc? no, because when you observe, the object is 'DARK' and when you image, it is... well... light!

[Gargoyle_Steve]

No-oo, not really ..... well I did buy that SP900 webcam some months ago only to find my old lappie couldn't run it, whereas the new one could .... but I have been wanting a full SLR instead of my Kodak digital for some time, well one went through the ICeTrade forums here at a price that was hard to refuse - too hard it would appear. ;)


Keep in mind, though, that I don't have any sort of tracking mount (well, there IS the little ETX I guess) ... but no, I'm still a "visual" guy, I may just take some very widefields with the DLSR on occasion.

Don't panic Randall, it's ok - I promise!

:lol:

[jjjnettie]

Alex, If you want to do a test run of the new scope under dark(ish) skies, your welcome to come on up to my place.
I only work Monday and Friday nights.

[AlexN]

That'd be great Jeanette, I'll let you know when its here and we'll go from there.. Hopefully hopefully its here soon enough before barambah to do so...

[drmorbius]

I hope you realise I'll be expecting some top quality images to post on the website after the camp! ;)

[Tandum]

Did you say you ordered it from York?

You must have a very short memory regarding their delivery promises :whistle:



[edit]
I still need a red film for the laptop. I don't need it here, you can almost read the newspaper after dark in the back yard here. Will red cellophane do?

[drmorbius]

Red film is better... cellophane is not as easy to look through... but it'll work in a pinch.

[Tandum]

Do ya know where to get red film in Brisbane?

[AlexN]

Red film can be bought at any studio store... the red film they use for stage lights etc is what you are after... I use a double folded piece of red cellophane and don't have too much trouble...

[Tandum]

So photo continental ? I'm not sure what a studio store is.

[AlexN]

photo continental may have it... Studio store - Theatrical/drama stores... if i know where that would be... online though.... www.starstuff.com.au has them....

[Tandum]

That'll do .. ordered and they have replied as in stock and in the post tomorrow :)

[AlexN]

Nice one...

[drmorbius]

:thumbsup: Well boys and girls, it's only 3 weeks until Barambah and I don't know about you, but I'm starting to get a bit excited. I'm really looking forward to just relaxing, hanging out with you lot and seeing some of this new gear in action.

Now if you haven't booked yet, we'd appreciate your registering sooner rather than later (even if you can't pay until later) so we can finalise numbers. To book, go to the registration page (http://www.darkskycamp.org.au/register.shtml) on the website.

What can I say? Barambah us an excellent venue under some of the darkest skies in S.E. Queensland. Why wouldn't you be there? ;)

See you all soon...

[Tandum]

I've calculated it'll cost twice as much to get there and back as it costs to be there. Sign of the times I guess.

Is there a dvd player on site for kids movies?

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Yes .... sort of.
That is if you count a player that feeds a ceiling mounted projector with a 2 metre screen and an LG 5.1 sound system!
;)

Mind you, we can't say it's set aside for exclusive use by the kids as it is located in the main dining hall, and we've been known to run Astro Documentary DVD's or Sci-Fi movies on it often too. Once the evening meal is finished and most of the adults have headed for the observing field the kids will probably have a pretty free run with it.

Bring along any DVD's you have though that you may want to play, keep in mind however that others wil be doing the same so keep your collection separate or have them well marked to avoid confusion.

[Tandum]

I'm just converting a couple from xvid to dvds, my collection is not on disk any more, it got too big to manage. They are all in stereo. I do have a few newbies that most of the kids will not have seen.

[AlexN]

Not long now!! :) EXCITEMENT +1

[Gargoyle_Steve]

2 weeks! Not long at all Alex.... and I am SO looking forward to it.

:rofl: Dark Skies, here we come!

[Tandum]

Just need to freeze Alex's bank account so it won't rain :P

[drmorbius]

:lol: :rofl: :lol:

I am sooooooo looking forward to this! It's going to be a long 2 weeks...

[astroron]

After my recent spate of traveling,:) I will be happy to relax for the five days with a fine group of astronomers:astron::stargaze:
Ron

[drmorbius]

Fantastic news Ron :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

This is going to be one awesome camp!

See you there...

[AlexN]

Can anyone tell me roughly what altitude the horizon is to the north from the chessboard? I'm hoping to be able to get a shot of M31 from up there, and also M42/IC434/B33..

M31 is a longshot I guess as it wont get much above 20° but the Orion area will get to about 40° in the north east before daybreak...

Cheers.

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Yep great news indeed Ron - it just wasn't quite the same without you there last time.

Speaking of freezing bank accounts ... between Alex and, well ... someone else from this thread who shall remain nameless :whistle: .... we could be in for a cyclone and the legendary "hundred year flood" before then.
(see my sig below if you're really interested)

Quick reminder : Anyone who is planning on going, but hasn't registered yet, please remember time is running out, registrations will close in just over a week from now (as soon as Randall and I work out the latest time we can reasonably process them).

Go to the website (http://www.darkskycamp.org.au) now, fill in the registration form, if you can't pay immediately that's ok, fill in the form anyway and just send an email to us at registrar at dark sky camp dot org dot au (you know how to convert that I'm sure!) to let us know when and how you will pay.

The website has details for direct deposit to the Camp bank account, for most people direct deposit is probably the easiest way anyway but with prior arrangements we can accept correct cash on arrival at camp.

I am getting pretty darn excited now - so much time in the dark, to play with so much gear!
:party::party::party::party::party: :party::party:

( I better go have a little lie down for a bit...... )

;)

[Tandum]

bitumen to gravel, and will remain so for the next 41 kms

This 41Kms jimma road, is it still dirt and how bumpy is it? I'm thinking of the scopes.

[AlexN]

Yeah... that kind of treatment makes me not want to bring the C11 :eek:

I might just take the long road and cover 3km of gravel..

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Robin that Jimna to (points north) road is still unsealed, and I would suspect that is very unlikely to change within the next couple of decades. It is reasonably flat, but that can change depending on heavy rains - it's more a gravel road than dirt in most places, in many places it's quite wide but it does narrow down a fair bit once or twice, for short distances.

I actually don't mind driving that road too much at all, but then I quite enjoy touring around on backwater country roads and tracks in my fourbie. I'll be taking that road again myself this time (SOMEONE has to put up the guide signs for the rest of you, after all ;) ) and in the past I've usually managed to average a speed of 80 km/h or so across that entire gravel stretch.

I'm dragging my brother along this time around so we'll have a couple of dobs on board, possibly a smaller scope, 2-3 pairs of bino's, and LOADS of other gear of all sorts piled up in both the car and the trailer. I'm not expecting any trouble during transit, or anticipating broken mirrors or bent tubes.

I would say though that if that kind of road does make you nervous then either take the Nanango option, if that's nearer to you, or keep to the bitumen all the way and go via Gympie. I've driven them all, and enjoyed them all too.
:P

Alex I do have somewhere some notes I took on my first trip to Barambah about what height the view is in various directions, etc - I don't have that with me, but from memory you won't get near M31 from the chessboard area if it's only reaching 20 degress altitude.

Orion may be possible once it gets much higher, but there is a wall of VERY tall trees east of the chessboard, you'll be waiting to see if Orion clears them to the north east to see if you can get a shot there.

What we have to remember is that Barambah IS an Environmental Centre, and as such it has lots of trees, some quite large. Unfortunately this is in direct contrast with what we would otherwise desire - it is less of an issue for sure on the observing field, which is why we have alwats tried to promote battery power here for imagers (for instance as Mike & Chris have done at previous camps), but for those of you who need mains power and are therefore staying near the buildings it is an issue.
:shrug:

I'll be trialling a deep cycle battery / solar panel combo there this year, but as I don't really use or need heavy power to run my dob :lol: I'd be more than willing for someone to try running their imaging setup off it for a night and see what happens - the battery that is, NOT the solar power (before any bright spark butts in about sunshine at night!) :rofl:

Anyone who has pure 12v power needs let me know, I don't have a suitable invertor to run cameras, tracking mounts, laptops, etc off it so 240 v it won't be.

[astroron]

I came back to Cambroon Via the dirt road to Jimmna and through the kenilworth state forest.
I had the 16" in the back
and was able to set up the scope that night with only a small bit of collimating:D
I always said I would not take my car through the Sunday Creek road from Jimmna :(but by driving carefully coming that way it saved me over 60kms:)
I have over the last three months carried an 8" SCT over 11,000kms around Queensland and the Northern Territory and it is still going strong, and that includes the Savanna way and the Birdsville Track:eyepop:
Ron

[AdrianF]

Excuse the question but......How often does the Barambah Camp happen?
It just happens that this one coincides with my holidays and my shopping trip to Brisbane/Gold Coast and on my way home I might just pop in and say hello.

Adrian

[007Borg]

We're planning to take the backroads... down the obi obi, and along the "road" from kenilworth forest to Jimna.. I was going to ask if anyone has gone that way before, but thanks Ron, you've answered my question :)

Glad to here your scope didn't bend into a banana going that way before.. I'm looking forward to taking the 4x4 on that road :D

Shaun

[jjjnettie]

I travel the Jimna road to Barambah. The average speed I use on the dirt is between 60-80kmh. I drive an elderly Skyline and all my equipment has made it through unscathed.
Dust is the biggest issue. Everything needs to be covered.

[astroron]

Hi Adrian, the camp is usually about twice a year, the last one being in May.
The facilities are first class:)and we would be glad to catch up with you:thumbsup:
Ron

[astroron]

Shaun, the Sunday Creek Road can be a bit rough, it depends if the logging trucks and the rain have carved it up:mad2:
As Jeanette said the problem with the road from Jimmna to Barambah is the dust:(but I did not finds it to bad:D
Ron

[AdrianF]

Thanks Ron I will certainly try to be there for at least one night. Heading to Mt Isa on the 20th for a few days then to Townsville and hoping to be at the Gold coast around the 28th for a few days spend up big :D then across to Barambah before returning home to Roma.

Adrian

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Adrian as Ron mentioned we have set ourselves the goal of running 2 of these camps each year, aimed to coincide with a new moon around April and September, or thereabouts - basically Autumn and Spring.

This will be our 3rd camp, and so far so good it's all going well, and people seem to really enjoy the atmosphere there! The Barambah EEC isn't a huge place but it's comfortable, facilities are excellent, it's not very expensive, and it's very relaxing and peaceful!!

We've been lucky this year in that the new moons have fallen during school holidays, and so we've been able to book the Barambah Environmental Education Centre for several days at a time. During school terms it is normally only available on weekends, from Friday afternoon through to Sunday afternoon. Next year may be a different issue regards timing of new moons... which we'll start thinking about as soon as we have THIS camp over and done. ;)

It's always a pleasure to met new people that share a love for astronomy, and there's few better places than Barambah to do so. So if you can make it Adrian it would be great to see you there, and that goes for anyone else as well - this isn't just an "Ice in Space" camp either, it is open to anyone who loves getting out under a really dark sky and looking upwards!

If you haven't see it yet, here's the webpage for the camp:
www.darkskycamp.org.au (http://www.darkskycamp.org.au)
(which includes the registration page- let us know now if you're coming, or even thinking of coming, so we can make preparations)

and here's the news blogg we've set up so we can provide quick info updates on all Camp related stuff:
http://darkskycamp.blogspot.com/

(both thanks to the awesome powers of my co-registrar Dr Morbius, who in his secret identity as "Randall" manages to get payed by someone else to do programming and generally play software god all week.)

;)

[drmorbius]

Hey Adrian... it'll be good to meet you. You can tell us how our dark skies compare to Roma ;).

Software god? Puh-lese :rolleyes: What I know about computers isn't worth knowing... or something like that...:)

[drmorbius]

Steve... you're going to need a pretty big trailer just to fit those recent acquisitions... :D

[AlexN]

Oh... how I wish I had a trailer... :)

[Gargoyle_Steve]

I picked my trailer up literally at the side of the road just near the dump - was coming home from a trip to the dump shop, er sorry recycling centre, a house just 100 metres or so down the street had the trailer for sale on their footpath.

It's old but sturdy, hasn't been registered since adam was a young fella, but at $160 it was cheap. I've spent maybe another $200 all up, now has totally new lights and wiring, I've upsized the ancient 13" wheels and skinny tyres to wider 14's and upspecced tyres (courtesy of the wrecker) so it rides better and more level behind the 4wd, and it's getting a new coat of paint.

Should have it registered Tuesday. PLENTY of room for new stuff .. must check the PO box, 24 mm Hyperion should be there waiting..... but I just found an add for another ep I wouldn't mind owning ......
*grin*

[AlexN]

Dont do it Steve... You'll doom us to clouds!! (touching wood.)

I think between us we've caught the skygods attention already... no need to rub the proverbial salt!

[drmorbius]

I just hope the observing field is big enough for your guys equipment.... :D

[Gargoyle_Steve]

:lol:
Bloody hell Alex I reckon you're right about that!

Then again, you could take the viewpoint that we're already doomed now, so why not go for broke?

Actually .. thinking about it .... maybe "broke" isn't the best word to use at present. :rolleyes:

The temptation is that my available finances have had a very strong but very temporary boost recently, but that situation will change again very soon. I'm kind of doing / fixing / grabbing the things that have been on my mind while I have the opportunity, because soon enough the new budget will take place and there'll be no discressionary spending fund at all.

Oh well, it's all fun while it lasts! :thumbsup:

[Gargoyle_Steve]

OUR equipment?? As well as Ron's 16" ( I assume you're bringing it along Ron?) there IS a 16" Meade Starfinder dob with fully cybernetic GOTO coming as well you know - and heck it's for sale for anyone who is interested!

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=35795

(YES, I did think about it briefly, no, I'm not going to buy it.)





(Probably not .....)




(I bet it looks even cooler " in the flesh " than it does in the photos!)




(Where would I keep it.......?)

[drmorbius]

You can keep it at my place... ;)

[AdrianF]

Looking forward to meeting up with you all as well.

Already spoken to the travel consultant (wife) and have penciled in the 29th or 30th for the stayover but all I will have is my camera and a pair of Vivitar 20X50 binoculars, I can see Jupiter and 2 or 3 moons with them from the backyard and at $39 from the Toowoomba Ag Show hey not too bad.

Dark skies are OK here from my backyard until next door turns on yard spotlights to see what I am doing and the spotlights at the bowling green directly opposite my location and one solitary low wattage streetlight outside my house. I generally wait until neighbor goes to bed thankfully fairly early at 8-9pm, spotlights at bowling green are only on at night on Friday/Sat nights.

Have been offered a dark site to view from on a friends property about 25K north of Roma. I have been there without gear and it is very dark can only just make out the end of my nose on a moonless night.

Adrian

[Gargoyle_Steve]

I used to do a bit of shooting on a 7000 acre property about 20 km's this side of Roma many years ago, oh heck yes nice and black! If it suits you to do so then yeah go for it sometime.

(I've got a mate with a place the other side of Chinchilla - it's about a 4 hour drive from here but there's some ideal viewing there too, and a 5 bedroom house to crash in. Might have to organise a star party there sometime too!)

And don't worry about not having much viewing gear with you at Barambah Adrian, there'll be plenty of people willing to share their view, you just wander around and visit from scope to scope - after all that's what many of the imagers do at other star parties while waiting for those precious photons to build up on the CCD sensors.
:poke:


;)

Seriously though, you'll be welcome to have a look through my gear and I'm sure most others will be willing to share as well.

[jjjnettie]

I've just asked hubby, and you may borrow our trailer for the camp. :)
The only hitch is that you've gotta take it to the dump first to empty the stuff out of it. :whistle::(
So it's up to you if you want to use it or not.

[AlexN]

It would be helpful Jeanette, however I dont have a towbar either.. :D

I dont know what gear I'll be bringing yet.. haven't decided all that just yet... its looking likely that it'll just be 2 refractors, mount and cameras.. so it'll all fit in the car nicely... I suppose the 11" doesn't take up very much room either.. so I should be right..

Thanks for the offer though..

ps. I'm going to take you up on a night in semi-dark skies one of these days.. between my light flooding neighbors, my proximity to the city and other near by shops etc, I have a 20°sq area of "dark" skies in which to image... and my horizons are somewhat higher than I'd like (orion + M31 are not an option from where I live)

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Cheeky bugger!!

:lol:

[Xeelee]

Wow! This thread is getting bigger, sounds like you've got the makings of a greater star party on your hands Steve.

The rego was in the mail last Thursday and I'm itching to go as I have just 1 test to go and then I'm free!

Hope to see you all there!

Chris

[Gargoyle_Steve]

It'll be good to see both of you guys again Chris, and yes we received the letter and cheque from Mike ok. I'm looking forward to spending time observing and hanging out with you both!

:thumbsup:

[Tandum]

I got rid of the crutches today and can work again from Thursday so I'm now definate as well :)

[AlexN]

woooohoooooo!!!

[Tandum]

Yes Wu Who indeed. I can now unpack that EQ6 that has been sitting in a box for the last month :)

[AlexN]

Bask in the awesomeness of a massive strong mount!! :) tonight will be the first night playing with the C11 :D :D ! hopefully a planetary image or a lunar image will come of it.. if not.. well.. not to worry.. still, thats a BIG A55 Scope!!

[Tandum]

So your saying it's your fault that the visibility predictor (http://astroforecast.org:8080/cgi-bin/byaddress.cgi?zipinput=brisbane+aus tralia&submit=Submit+Query) is showing 3 days of crap .....

I really have to mow the jungle out there before moving this new mount outdoors :)

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Great to hear your not only mobile, but officially cleared as healthy Robin, and I'll bet your damn glad to be off those things. Good news mate, and yeah get stuck right into that EQ6!

[Tandum]

Cheers Steve, The foot hurts but it's not the break. It's just learning to walk again ...

[Gargoyle_Steve]

I'm pleased to be able to mention a couple of new innovations we'll have at Barambah this time around....

Now we all know how nice it can be to sit in the Dining Hall for a cuppa and a chat, and heavens above I'd never deprive anyone of that! However for those who may prefer to stay at their scopes but still want to enjoy a hot drink you'll be pleased to hear that this time around we will have a gas powered instant boil unit right there ON THE OBSERVING FIELD!

Bring your fixings along for tea, coffee, whatever - as long as it uses boiling water - and we'll see you right! ;)
(Actually we can temperature control the water so it doesn't have to be boiling either, hot or even warm water is just as easy.)


Secondly .... since I'll be running my laptop with Starry Night Pro, etc, to help me plan my observing I've ordered some filter gel to stop the blinding light pollution from my LCD screen (and to stop my name becoming a curse word :lol:) ....

ANYWHOO I've ordered it today, should arrive tomorrow by courier. I'm buying larger sections of gel, one section of Primary Red and another of Neutral Density x3, there will be enough of each to fit approximately 6 laptop shields (or 5 after mine that is, I'll be keeping a piece of each). :P

So as long you don't have a supersized LCD screen we'll have your choice of either red or ND filter gel that we can custom cut to fit your screen for $5 a piece, and as long as I remember to pick some up beforehand (adds it to still lengthy list) we'll have velcro dots as well so you can attach it to your laptop. I had hoped to be able to throw these in at the same price but we'll have to charge you 25 cents each for them, hopefully that won't break your budgets!



" Barambah Dark Sky Camp - does it get any better (or Darker) than this? "

Just 1 week to go folks! ~~~~~
:eyepop:

[Xeelee]

I'll be happy to relieve you of some of that red filter Steve, so can you put me down for some before it's all gone?

1 week to go :D:D

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Done Chris, no probs! We'll measure your screen up out there and cut it just right! :thumbsup:

Please note the velcro dots are now 25c each, as amended above, that is if you don't already have your own velcro.
;)

[AlexN]

OOH!!! Pick me Pick Me!! :)

Im using cellophane at the moment, not the best of light filtering material.

[Gargoyle_Steve]

No worries Alex, do you want Red, or Neutral Density, or both?

Mind you, if you're going to set up on the chessboard area, ie near the buildings not on the observing field, you probably won't need to be filtered for barambah, but it will always come in handy for going to Ron's place, etc, and I doubt you'll buy it this cheap anywhere else.

[AlexN]

I dunno what I want.. I suppose ND would be easiest to see and read through

[Dennis]

Hi Guys

Whilst the red or ND theatre lighting filters are tough, they are approx as thin (or slightly less than) an overhead transparency, so I suspect they will not be rigid enough to support themselves unless you have the screen angled at quite a shallow angle.

I built a frame from 20mm x 1mm aluminium and used contact adhesive to glue the filter to the frame to give it support and keep it taut.

For the astro camp, some masking tape applied to the top edge and the top of the notebook display frame should do. I reckon even a stiff (thickish) cardboard frame would do the job provided it doesn’t get to damp?

Cheers

Dennis

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Thanks for that Dennis, must admit although the gel sheets arrived today I hadn't really unrolled either of them for a closer look.

I was thinking we should be ok to use velcro dots in the top corners around the laptop screen, and 2 more in the bottom corners if necessary to keep it in place, do you reckon that should work?

I like the masking tape idea too, and I will have rolls of that with me at camp as well!

Steve

[AlexN]

heh.. that reminds me of last time out at Ron's house Steve, Your preparedness was quite amazing, quite literally the man who has everything :) (who brings superglue and rolls of blutac to a starparty?.. Steve does!)

[Dennis]

Hi Steve

I suspect that the width of the frame or chassis around each LCD display is quite different on various Notebook computers. My 4 ½ year old IBM ThinkPad has a very narrow frame which also angles back, so there isn’t enough available area to stick on a micro dot let alone Velcro dots.:lol:

Also, the lid may not close properly if there are Velcro dots attached to the frame around the LCD display?:(

That’s why long term, I ended up making a rigid frame out of aluminium, although heavy duty cardboard or 3mm MDF would do just as well if it were sealed against moisture.

My ThinkPad also has a couple of lugs that stick out from the frame around the LCD which “click in” to a couple of slots on the main chassis when the lid is closed down.

Cheers

Dennis

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Ah yes good point Dennis, not all laptops are built equal.....

(Sounds like a great marketing slogan there, should copyright that.)

The masking tape is possibly sounding like a better back up option all the time. If anyone wants to pre-make thri own cardboard / MDF / aluminium frame we'll have the gel to fill it!

Yes Alex I do like to be prepared :thumbsup: and it has paid off numerous times so far - last time we were at Barambah I had the cordless drill out during Saturday night doing some mounting modifications for an azimuth encoder on a dob base right there on the field.

I have also been known to replace lost or worn screws, bolts and nuts from my spares drawers, and have often set up the soldering station during the day at Astrofest and done repair jobs for people such as fix broken leads, replace bent/broken cable pins, even makeup some new stuff on occasions ..... but so far I haven't needed to usethe small gas powered pencil torch I carry with me!

So far........ ;)

[pmrid]

Hey Steve,
can I score (read 'acquire by purchase, barter or larceny) some of that ND and velcro dots. I'm overseas until the morning of the 26th so won't have another chance to buy up on emergency supplies - aside from Bundy of course.

Peter

[Gargoyle_Steve]

Not a problem Peter, it will be waiting for you.

Alex if you like I'll keep some red and ND aside for you and you can make your mind up at the Camp itself.

I'm assuming you guys all have pretty "standard" sized screens, but can you each just indicate if you have 14, 15 or 17 inch screens, and whether it's 3:4 ratio or a widescreen, so I can make sure I have sufficient kept aside.

=================================== =================

Anyone who still wants to register but hasn't done so yet, please do so now!

Pre camp registrations will have to close midnight Monday night, even if you can't get your payment in by then please complete the registration form so we know you're coming, and we can accept your cash payment on site when you arrive. Anyone who wants to turn up at Barambah without registering may do so, and I'm sure we'll find you a bed ok but without forewarning of your arrival you may have to bunk up with others in one of the larger "8 or more" dorm rooms.

[AlexN]

3:4 ratio, around the 15" mark.. probably closer to 14" though.. I can measure it up for you if you prefer Steve...

WOOOOOH!!!! 5 days till I'll be on my way up!! :D

[jjjnettie]

Steve,
As we will be missing Dr Who on Sunday night, would you be able to bring along next weeks episode? Pretty please.... with sugar on top.

[pmrid]

Steve,
I'm in Malaysia until Friday a.m. and will have to guess about screen sizes etc. I use 2 laptops on the big Dob and a third on my Maksutov - and I'd estimate them to be 1 x 12" , 1 x 14/15 and another bloody tiny - it's one of the ASUS EeePC things the size of a bee's etc. 7" I think. And as for aspect ratios - well, what a question to ask a nice boy.
Peter

[AlexN]

Peter, I look forward to checking out that little ASUS eeePC!! :) I've been wanting one, but with not having seen or used one I've been a bit skeptical... It would be great to use for my portable imaging setup provided it was fast enough to do the job.. (which it should be judging by its specs..)

The weather man tells me that we should be looking at a nice weekend next weekend.. this is good news! :) (Alex grabs at the nearest bit of wood)


The

[drmorbius]

The? the what? I can't take the suspense!!! Alex, what were you trying to tell us?

:P

[drmorbius]

BTW - Apparently we can get channel 9 up at the camp, so all us rugby league fanatics will be able to watch the NRL finals.

And I'm still working on Dr. Who... ;)

[Tandum]

What episode is it up to? I have Season 4 here.

[drmorbius]

episode 12 was last sunday... next sunday is 13... the finale!

If you have it, I'll hold off on the torrent.

[Tandum]

Doctor Who S04E13 Journeys End .. Got it.
I'll convert it to a dvd.

[drmorbius]

Excellent :thumbsup:

[AlexN]

Ummm... who knows what I was on about... The End?

May have ment that the excitement was killing me, as it still is...

I'll be there Friday by about 12 I hope. :) Cant wait.

[jjjnettie]

They still haven't posted the rosters for work, so I don't know if I will be there for Monday night. But definitely there for Sat and Sun nights.
Steve, I'll pay when I get there, hope it's not too much trouble.

[drmorbius]

No worries, Jeanette... good to hear you'll be there. Is it just going to be you or are your boys coming as well?

[astroron]

Jeanette, you can have your jeans back at last:D
Look forward to catching up with you again:thumbsup:
Ron

[jjjnettie]

My youngest, Tom, will be coming along with me.
I'm looking forward to catching up with all you guys too, as well as my jeans. LOL.

[jjjnettie]

Lesley, are you still coming to Barambah?
You can't let a touch of tonsillitis keep you away.

[Gargoyle_Steve]

OK so we've got the finale of Doctor Who sorted, that's one job I can take off my list....

I'll probably only get on IIS tomorrow night again now before we go.
I still have a full day tomorrow - dropping my son back to Brisbane, gathering up all the bits and pieces I need to bring along for the camp, plus my own personal "stuff" - and packing the trailer and car.

Randall and I will head up Thursday so we can have the camp ready for the rest of you when you arrive. We are more prepared, and more fully equipped, than we have been for any previous Barambah camp so hopefully this will be our best camp so far.

We've got Red and ND filter gel awaiting those who have already put their hands up, with some extra's still available should anyone at camp be seeking some. We've got the instant water boiler ready to run for on-field cuppa's. And on the personal side I've got my new laptop, and I'm ready to experiment with powering it and plenty of other bits and pieces off a large deep cycle battery pack, with a new solar panel setup waiting to charge it up again during the days. I'm pretty excited about all of this stuff!
:P

Remember you need to bring your astro gear, your food and drink, toiletries, clothes, and your choice of bedding. The beds have good solid foam matresses on them but you need to bring your own sheets / blankets, or sleeping bag, or whatever plus yoru own pillows.

All cutlery, crockery & cooking gear is supplied on site, and we have a large and efficient dish washer on site (no, it's NOT me, but we'll run the loads through it so you guys don't have to worry about that).

Most of all, remember to bring your sense of fun and keenness to socialise, and be ready to enjoy some dark (and hopefully crystal clear) night skies, and some relaxing days.

:thumbsup:

[Xeelee]

Counting Down..... Can't wait!!! :D :help:

[AlexN]

Dark and clear is what I want to hear Steve! :) !! :)

Excitement level : 89% and rising.

[drmorbius]

I must say this is going to be one of the highlights for me for 2008. A whole week of relaxing, socialising and star gazing... doesn't get any better than that (don't tell my wife I said that :D).

Just a reminder to watch for posts on The Blog (http://darkskycamp.blogspot.com/). Our cunning plan is to update it daily to keep everyone informed on what's happening (and make all you late-comers jealous ;)). But that will depend on Steve's superior negotiation skills to get us access to the Internet at the camp... here's hoping.

Look forward to seeing you guys and gals at the camp... :thumbsup:

[Tandum]

Last questions : on the site plan (http://www.darkskycamp.org.au/img/Barambah_site_map.jpg) where is the chessboard? and Are there any BBQ's on site or is all cooking done in the kitchen?

The prediction site (http://astroforecast.org:8080/cgi-bin/byaddress.cgi?zipinput=Barambah+aus tralia&submit=Submit+Query) looks pretty good for the week-end.
But I wouldn't trust this thing more than a day in advance.
It forecast Wednesday night as total overcast and it wasn't.

[jjjnettie]

The Chessboard is between buildings 4 and 5. The map is a little out of scale though. It's not the ideal place to set up, but it is level and close to power.

PS
save me a spot please

[AlexN]

Jeanette, Theres always a spot for another imager :)

[lesbehrens]

not long now:stargaze::astron:
looking fowrward to meeting you there.

[AdrianF]

I will be in barambah on Tuesday can someone tell me is it self catered or is food available on site?
Adrian
:shrug:

[AlexN]

BYO food Adrian, Plates & cutlery available on site, byo food/drinks etc...

[AdrianF]

thanks see you there:)

[AlexN]

Unfortunately mate, by the time you get there I will have been and gone... Damn pesky work not giving me time off... :(

[AdrianF]

I am I two weeks hols just spent the last week going 3000k spending next 2-3 days in yeppoon then to Brisbane on Sunday for retail therapy then barambah on the way home on Wednesday to look at my new scope delivered home today.
Adrian

[Gargoyle_Steve]

I guess we're ready to have this "unstickied" now since the event is finished, should any helpful moderator happen to be passing this way.
:hi: