Some sad news

[westsky]

Tonight I recieved the sad news that Erwin Van Der Velden has passed away.
Erwin will be forever known as one of the most dedicated and talented astro photographers to have ever graced us with his presence.
I have fond memorys of standing in the middle of a freezing paddock with Erwin watching him do his craft.
He will be missed.

David.

[[1ponders]]

David, that is terrible news. I am stunned. I have only know Erwin since Feburary last year (He sold me my first serious telescope) but like yourself the memory I have clearest is the one of him standing in the icy grass at 4 oclock in the morning at duckadang this year, cursing the fog rolling in. :lol: He will be greatly missed.

[davidpretorius]

the same erwin from our forum, 40 yrs old???

what happened?

this is really sad!

[beren]

This is shocking and terrible news , Erwin only recently posted a Mars image not three days ago

[ballaratdragons]

Yes Dave, a member and 40y.o.

Not fair at so young. Yes it is sad.

[davidpretorius]

my computer now has a new wallpaper of erwins mars pics. salute!

might go and have a little quiet time with the stars

[h0ughy]

I am gobstruck, How , when, why?

He looked like the fittest man on earth as per my encounter with him at Duckadang (see Pictures)

is there a way that we can pass our condolances to his family?

[asimov]

As a tribute to Erwin, I went & had a look at his webpage & all his astrophotography work: http://www.sas.org.au/Irwin/Irwin.htm What a shame.

Here's to Erwin.:thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

So did I.

[Dennis]

Erwin was a rare and wonderful human being. His love and passion for astronomy radiated from him; accompanied by his beaming smile and that cosmic twinkle in his eye.

He was an incredibly bright yet humble man and I found him to be one of the most decent persons I had the grace to meet and share this short journey with.

Erwin’s sudden passing leaves me deeply saddened at what might have been, with his enormous talent for all things astronomical.

God bless you Erwin, may you rest in peace and dwell amongst the stars you so loved.

I will miss you.

Dennis

[ballaratdragons]

As an Astro tribute to Erwin, the Astrophotography award at the Star camp will be known as the 'Erwin van der Velden' Award for Astrophotography.

I hope nobody minds.

[gaa_ian]

That certainly is a great tragedy
I too had a look at his webpage ... brilliant images.
Very sad ... I can only presume there was an accident ?

[CometGuy]

Guys,

I can confirm Erwin passed away (thanks to Colin Drescher for notifying me)...all I can say I am pretty devastated. I don't have full details yet but I when I do I'll keep everyone posted. Some of his fine astrophotography is hosted on my webpage:

http://www.pbase.com/terrylovejoy/erwins_modded_d70_gallery

Terry

[davidpretorius]

ken, here here!

[Mick]

Very sad news.

[gaa_ian]

Good on you Ken ... a fitting tribute!

[Dave47tuc]

Sad news indeed.

My condolances to family & friends. :prey:

[astro_south]

Oh man - I'm floored ! I can't believe it. This is truely sad and a huge loss to the astronomical community.

[avandonk]

Sorry to invade your privacy.Sad indeed.But what would he have thought?

Bert

[atalas]

So young , my condolences to his family and friends they must be devastated.


Louie

[netwolf]

Ken, i think that is a most fitting tribute. I only know of Erwin from his posts and photos on the internet. It is sad to see such great tallent pass from from this world. But i am sure he will move from the humble earth to the noble stars he loved so much. My condolonces to family and friends, our thougts and prayers are with you.

[fringe_dweller]

I can't beleive it! - I only knew Erwin from his internet presence (especially digital_astro) but he probably didnt know me {I remember when he really burst into my vision when he made available an unbelievable image he had taken of the Gegenschein!!! - it took me several days to remove my chin off the floor} . But it was a very bright luminous presence, I almost felt like i knew him from the astonishing energy he put out via his very beautiful and strong intelligent work, he will be sadly missed by more people than he may of imagined.
My very sincere sympathy and condolences to his family and friends, a VERY bright light has been extinguished from our world.
Kearn

[astroron]

Irwin stayed at my place on Saturday night and observed till the Moon came up,He was then gracious enough to colimate both my pairs of binoculars,He was a very quiet peaceful man and will be surely remembered by all who crossed his path. Rest In Peace Irwin. astroron

[mick pinner]

l only knew of Erwin through his photos, to those of you that knew him personally, be they family and friends l am truly sorry for your loss.

[netwolf]

Asimov has been busy bumping all of Erwin's image threads, good work Asimov. Now i can look at the ones i missed.

[Lee]

It is very sad to hear of the death of someone so young..... His work was truly awesome too.... a huge loss.
Rest in peace.

[asimov]

I hope you don't mind guys that I'm bumping Erwin's threads. I'm just paying my respects as it were..

[ballaratdragons]

Go ahead John. Great gallery of great work! A fine way to see more of Erwins' Craft.

[netwolf]

Iceman, perhaps you could make Erwins image posts a sticky for some time.

[seeker372011]

what terrible news. my condolences to family and friends..though I never had the privilege of meeting him in person felt I knew him through this forum

[westsky]

Thanks Ken , That is truly appreciated,
Erwin was without doubt " one of the good guys"
For those that only knew him through this forum I can tell you he was as mad as a two bob watch, I remember being woken up at 5am one cold morning hearing swearing and cursing coming from outside the caravan I was sleeping in.
I thought somebody was having an argument, it was just Erwin cursing himself for sleeping in an extra half an hour as he had missed his opportunity to image Mercury.
Thats how dedicated he was to his astronomy.
He made me laugh, he took the time to answer questions and was happy to share his knowledge.

As I go out to Leyburn this weekend I will be thinking of him and all the nights we spent there together.
There will be a place in the paddock for you forever Erwin.

David

[astro_south]

I remember that morning well David (I was in the bunk below Erwin). You mention that there will always be a spot for Erwin at Leyburn, I think the picture I have attached is along the same lines (taken at this years Astrofest) and typifies how revered he was with the QLD astro community. I think we will probably all be looking for his hire car to zoom in on dusk at Leyburn tomorrow - sadly it won't.

[westsky]

Thanks Andrew that made me laugh,
Erwins passing will effect more people that he would have thought, As Dennis said he was a quite unassuming modest man, who I think touched everyone who had the pleasure to know him.He was fun to be with, had some crazy ideas, and on those cloudy nights when he couldn't take an image was always thinking "What If" "why Can't I" "Maybe we should try this"

He was one of life's true Gentlemen

David.

[rumples riot]

Wow, I am only 41 and still considered young, this is tragic news for his family and friends. I have only spoken to him two or three times. Very weird. RIP.

[astroron]

On Sunday Irwin and I talked about his plans for his trip to Egypt for the Eclipse next year, he said he had a lot to organise but was well in advance with is thinking,his main sticking point was weight and power, he also showed me his latest Mars shots and other astro images as well as his fantastic eclipse photo's.
I think all who have seen his images on this website will surely miss him.astroron

[RB]

I am very deeply saddended.
I didn't know him but in the short time I have been on this forum I have enjoyed his work immensely.

My condolences to family and friends.

[johnno]

Unfortunately,I also didn't know Erwin except through his marvellous photos,he will be very sadly missed.
My condolences to his family and many friends.
Very,Very sad.
Regards.John

[iceman]

What sad and unbelieveable news. To the QLD forum members who knew him personally, it must be an incredible loss to them. I've only known him by reputation and from his images on the forum, but I know that he was respected widely for talent.

An incredible loss to the Australian astrophotography community, and of course even sadder for his immediate family and friends.

My condolences to his family and he certainly will be missed.

[vindictive666]

My condolences to his family

allthough i didnt know him personally i absolutely enjoyed looking at his work

R.I.P

[tornado33]

Gee this is trajic and totally unexpected news.
Erwin's images are amongst those that inspired me to get my off axis guider and experiment with nebula filters. When I saw the great work he was doing with a digital SLR I wanted to "get amongst it" too and see how far I could push my gear. So I have Erwin to thank for much of my work with his fantastic, inspiring images, they are among the best ever taken with a digital SLR and rival some taken with much more expensive astro , cooled CCD imagers. We can only imagine the great images he would have taken just in the next few years. We must treasure the great images he has taken, and I expect that they will continue to inspire up and coming astrophotographers in the way they have inspired me.
Thanks Erwin
Regards Scott

[EddieT]

Absolutely shocking news. Terrible for Erwin, I'm sure he had lots that he still wanted to do before being yanked from his mortal coil. I wish we had a chance to say goodbye and good luck for the future, whatever that is for him now.

Though we only bumped into each other a couple of times a year at most, he will be missed and remembered.

[Exfso]

This sort of news is very tragic, far too young to be taken, makes one realise just how short life is and how quickly it can be terminated. Erwin's family must be devastated, like most here I did not know him, but there is sadness regardless. My thoughts are with his family and close friends.

[davidpretorius]

12 hours on and still tinged with sadness, but extra keen to get out there and image mars like he did!!

Right Bintel, talk to me about a 3x, 4x, 5x barlow!!!

It is funny, I am not all that emotional normally, and was unprepared for how I felt. How can you explain this feeling i had for someone I had never talked to, never met, just traded a few threads on this forum a couple of times.

I believe i have an answer!

Even though i may have more "personal" contact with some members than others, each and every member is very very important to me.

My "parental" (for want of a better term) feeling for each and every forum members and the loss of one of its children is testament to Mike's vision in setting this forum up and I would say it has been fully realized!

I am proud to say that if something was to happen to even a one day old member who is being bullied into his /her first 10"dob, then i would treat that as a loss in my family!

Thanks mike for providing me and others with an extended and close family, sharing successes and failures, fighting and making up, celebrating births and young family photos and sharing the grief of shock departures.

[acropolite]

I am shocked at the news of Erwins departure. My condolences to his family and friends. Although I have never corresponded or met with Erwin, I feel that I have lost a personal friend.

[RB]

Here, here.
Well said Davo.

.

[Itchy]

Scott

Well said
You have captured my thoughts and feelings as well.
My emotions have not let me be together enough to post to this thread until now.
Although I never met Erwin, I feel like I have lost a close friend.

Tony

[xstream]

I like many others only new Erwin through these forums. As Scott said he was inspired through Erwins images as was I, so much so as to go out and purchase a DSLR.
A sad loss to the Astronomical community indeed. But by what has been said by those that new him personally, I'm sure he's looking down upon us now and smiling.

Condolences to his family and may you forever RIP Erwin.

John.

[Striker]

OMG...

I only met Irwin once and that was out at Leyburn......I am stunned for words...I just cant believe it.

Irwin your fanatasitc images done with your D70 also inspired me into DSLR...thanks mate.

[asimov]

Dave Pretorius..You have pretty well summed up my feelings as well. I was trying to analyze why I was so upset having never met Erwin...I am also analyzing why I bumped most of his image threads. I even went outside & had my moment under the stars with/for Erwin ( I prefer to think he was there with me actually) Would you believe as soon as I stepped outside the sky cleared itself of all clouds..Kind of a special moment for me..

[cventer]

Reading all of these posts really does refresh my faith in humanity.

I had goosebumbs over my whole body while reading some of them. What is strange is that having never met Erwin but seen his images I cant shake this deep feeling of sadness. Not being a very sentimental type this has me puzzled...

I think it strikes a chord beacuse of our shared passions and makes us glimpse our own mortality....

My heart goes out to Erwins family and friends....

Does anyone know what actualy happened to cause his sudden passing ?

Best Regards
Chris Venter

[davidpretorius]

yes chris and asi,

i got goose bumps again reading your comments.

We have all got something special, a love for a great hobby, a brotherhood (& sisterhood) of mates (like the guys in the wars). What happens to one, happens to all. I have played many team sport and Ken may dispute, but i haven't felt this feeling before.

Lets treasure it, not bugger it up. It is gold, can't be bottled and can't be prescribed on another forum!

It makes you think that maybe the world could be nice place one day!

[dhumpie]

I am as shocked as all of you. I had quite a good chat with him while I was up at Astrofest this year and I have spoken to him on numerous occasions at Leyburn. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family. Anyone have any news of what actually happened?

Darren

[asimov]

Yeah...as much as I hate to ask, I'd like to know the 'how' question as well.

After saying that, it's not imperative that I know I guess. We'll all find out in time.

[TidaLpHasE]

My condolences to his family, a sad time that makes everyone of us feel their pain.

[CometGuy]

I don't know the full reasons for his death. I believe he failed to turn up for work on Tuesday and Wednesday and the authorities were then contacted. They entered the house and found him collapsed. Thats all I know sorry...

I like to say its nice that so many people expressing there sympathies for Erwin. I too woke early this morning to look up the night sky in his Honour...

The only other news I have is that Erwins fellow SAS members (Renato Langersek, Peter Marples, Peter Robbins, Phil Pidgeon & Azam Khan ) are helping with funeral arrangements and his faimily are flying out this Sunday.

Terry

[asimov]

Guys, just to explain. I bumbed most of Erwins threads last night as a personal tribute to Erwin & also to pay my respects. At the time, I thought it was a good idea.

Some new guys have come in answering some of the threads, not knowing he has passed on. I have private messaged these guys explaining. I'm truly sorry If I have embaressed anyone with my actions.

I am leaving this small message at the end of every thread that I bumped last night:
'This thread was bumped in honour, & a personal tribute from me. RIP Erwin.' In the hopes of rectifying a potentially embarressing scenerio.

Very Sorry for any trouble caused. :doh:

John

[cahullian]

Very sad day for his family and friends. Life is short and precious each and every day should be grasped with both hands and shaken to it's bones because you never know when it may be your last.

[firstlight]

As with all of you, I am totally shocked and devastated at the news of Erwins passing.

I first met Erwin at a meeting of the Brisbane Astronomical Society, where I was trying to encourage members to join with a group to observe the Leonids in 2001 near Miles. Erwin attended as a visitor then, as he was only holidaying in Australia, and he was enthusiastic of the venture. He returned to the Netherlands to finalise his affairs there, pack a shipping container with the bulk of his equipment, then to return to Australia for a new life here.

Anne-Louise (heavy with child) and I met him at Miles after he had travelled down from Darwin, bussed it out to Charleville, then hooked up with us. For the next few days and nights we watched clouds drift by (at night totally overcast of course) and he showed us some newsletters from his club in the Netherlands. We discussed film, photography and lenses. I was attempting to use a truck hubcap to capture all sky images, and he started rattling off equations and formulae to determine the focal ratio of the setup.

On the night of the expected peak we were treated to an amazing thunderstorm at dusk, and we expected to have the evening clear up for observing... and the skies were fabulous. Until the next band of storms blew through... and the next... and the next. I thought that once again we were going to miss the shower due to the weather, aspecially after it continued to rain after midnight.

Most of us retired to our respective cabins while Erwin remained near the site we had chosen to observe. While Anne-Louise and Brendan, who was sharing with us, slept I was writing the Newsletter article about this trip. Suddenly I heard running footstes splashing down the track toward us... BANG BANG on the door and our excitable Dutch friend was shouting "It has started, I saw a gap in the clouds, I saw two meteors, it has started we must go, we must go now, it has started!!!" Anne-Louise, Erwin and mysel drove down the road about 10 k's, but the clouds didn't lift, ad we just stopped and waited.

In the west, the sky started to break, and Erwin said "Not a Storm... we see nothin now". A few minutes the Leonids made their presence known as meteor after meteor flashed throught the breaks in the clouds. In half an hour we had horizon to horizon of clear skies streaked by hundreds of meteors. We observed to dawn and the sky turned blue and still we saw them. Just before sunrise the sky closed in again.

It was the most amazing thing I had ever seen in my life, and the memory of it will remian with me until I die. All the more special will be my memory of Erwin's voice in the darkness, elated, frustrated, suprised, but always enthusiastic.

I have run out of words at this time.

We will miss him greatly.

Tony Surma-Hawes

[Orion]

He was so well known throughout the astronomy world for the pictures he took and for the love for astronomy he had. His passing away has touched more people than what he would have known. Rest in peace Erwin.
My condolences to his family.

[ving]

farewell erwin. you will be sorely missed around here. condolences to his family and freinds.

[jjjnettie]

I only found out about Erwins passing yesterday ( saturday ) afternoon when I turned up at Rons at Kenilworth.
It was at Astrofest this year that I first met him in person. He was parked next to me, and I was witness to his energetic enthusiasm that seemed to infect everyone he came in contact with.
I dedicated last nights star party to his memory.

[venus]

Sorry to hear of a fellow star-gazer passing, you're with the stars now, we'll be searching in the night sky...........

[westsky]

Erwin will be cremated on Friday, October 7th 2005.

The farewell service will take place in Brisbane at 2PM:

Metropolitan Funerals Chapel

224 Newnham Road, Mt Gravatt

His ashes will be placed on a private observing site in Leyburn QLD, on Erwin’s favourite observation spot where he made many beautiful photographs.

[davidpretorius]

That is simply fantastic and so right!

There is a photo from one of the guys in this post where Erwin had painted a big white circle around where he was going to set up to observe. I have a very big silly grin on my face picturing that very same scenario now where his ashes will be laid to rest.

He might even say

"Thanks for coming to visit me in my 24 hour observing spot with seeing and transparency at 11/10, but would you mind stepping outside the circle!!"

[jjjnettie]

Do you think that there will be a bit of a ceremony when his ashes are laid?

[xrekcor]

I've just found this thread, This is Sad news, I'm stunned. Me and Jake met
Erwin on a couple of occassions, Leyburn in Feb 05 and this years AstroFest
QLD. He was quite a gentleman and will be sadly missed. His planetary imaging
was truly awesome and an inspiration to all. He also gave me my first taste
in Pentax ep's, thanks mate!

Me and Jake both send our condolences to his family and close friends.

David, that's a lovely idea, we will have to travel out there again to pay our
repects.

kindest regards, CS, may you rest in peace Erwin

[westsky]

There will be a informal ceremony but at this time I don't know the details.
A memorial stone will be placed sometime in November,

It was strange walking past Erwins spot over the weekend and not seeing him there.


David.

[firstlight]

Hi all,

I am just cutting and pasteing from a message I sent to other lists. This is as all I know at this stage. If forum users have a t-shirt they may wish to wear it as well.

Erwin was one of those enthusiastic and gifted amateur
astronomers that we meet only rarely.

All those who wish to say good-bye to him may do so on Friday the 7th
of October at 2PM at the Metropolitan Funerals Chapel, 224 Newnham
Road, Mt Gravatt.

His ashes will be placed on a private observing site in Leyburn QLD,
on Erwin's favourite observation spot where he made many beautiful
photographs. We will notify you when in November the Memorial stone
will be placed.

Terry Lovejoy has posted a very fitting memorial to Erwin on his
website. There is a wonderful picture of Erwin as we remember him best
along with a gallery of his superb images. Those of you who did not
know Erwin personally may also like to visit the site to see why his
work was so highly regarded in the world wide astronomical community.

http://www.pbase.com/terrylovejoy/erwins_modded_d70_gallery

The SAS members have been asked to wear their club shirts to honour
them and a request has been made to BAS members to do the same with
their BAs shirts. It is an appropriate mark of respect for someone who
was an active member of both clubs.

Thank-you
Tony Surma-Hawes

[davidpretorius]

thanks tony for the info, will be there in spirit!

[Thiink]

I was truely shocked when I read this thread, was totally not what I expected. I meant to leave a message a while ago but couldnt think of anything to write. It really is terrible news. I never knew Erwin, never spoke to or met him, but had a quiet respect for both him and the awesome images he shared with us on the forum. The image scale and quality of his planetry images were always awe inspiring.

My sympathy to his family and friends. He is lucky in one way, though, as a lot of people go through life without really leaving much behind as a memento. Erwin on the other hand has left us with some simply stunning images to help remember him by. Goodbye Erwin!

[Dennis]

Today was the funeral of Erwin René van der Velden who sadly and suddenly passed away on Tuesday 27th September 2005.

The funeral service was held in Brisbane at 2:00pm and was attended by Erwin’s Mother and Sister (from Holland) along with between 60 and 70 friends and fellow astronomers representing all the South East Queensland Clubs, his place of work (York Optical) and several other SE Qld astronomy retailers.

It was both a farewell to a dear and beloved friend as well as a celebration of the short but full life of a remarkable man who lived life with a passion, joy and an intensity that endeared him to all whom his special gifts and talents touched.

The service opened with the emotional, haunting theme from “Chariots of Fire” followed by a moving speech from the Funeral Celebrant, guiding us from our sadness at the loss of Erwin through to the celebration of his 39 full years on this Earth, during which he pursued the varied hobbies of amateur astronomy, amateur radio, motor cycling, mountaineering, athletics, photography, scuba diving, electronics and computing.

Erwin became an Australian Citizen in Feb 2005 and it was appropriate that part way through the service, “Still Call Australia Home” was played, a fitting tribute to Erwin’s love for this great land down under, which he called home. Erwin was born in Rotterdam on 25 January 1966.

Representatives from the Southern Astronomical Society (Noelene) and the Brisbane Astronomical Society (Tony) also spoke, celebrating the life and achievements of their favourite adopted son from north of the equator.

Renato transcribed a message from Erwin’s good friend Albert into morse code, which was played out as the celebrant read the message - the haunting simplicity of the short beeps were in stark contrast to the immense void that Erwin’s passing has left in our hearts.

The service came to an end to the strains of “Time To Say Goodbye” as we all bade farewell to the bright, young life of this rare human being, whose immortal soul can now sail along the river of light we call the Milky Way. With his beaming smile and that twinkle in his eye, I’m sure Erwin will gaze down and smile at us mortals as we point our optical tubes heavenwards, to grasp the beauty and majesty of this magnificent creation that allowed such a rare and wonderful talent shine amongst us.

Farewell Erwin, God speed and may you rest in peace.

Dennis

[[1ponders]]

:prey: Amen

[h0ughy]

Denis,

I would have loved to have been there, the service sounded so fitting, and very emotional. Maybe too emotional for a boofy Astronomer to handle and control. i bet there wasn't a dry eye in the house, and the happy times and the effect he had on everyone, he will be remembered for that. Supernova Erwin!

[RB]

Amen.

Farewell Erwin.


.

[Itchy]

Thank you Dennis

Goodbye Erwin

:hi:

[davidpretorius]

thanks dennis, much appreciated for relaying the funeral proceedings.

now erwin, don't you go mucking up the mars pictures late this month.

there will be no white circles drawn around mars saying "erwin's viewing area!!!"

rip mate, no more sadness, just joyful memories for some, imaging legacies for others!

[gaa_ian]

Amen Dennis, That was a beautiful and fitting tribute.
"Its not what we say, but what we do in life that counts"
Erwin has left us a wonderful legasy in his Images.
RIP Erwin.

[CometGuy]

Thank you Dennis. Erwins Mother and sister no doubt were very touched by Noelene and Tony's words. Thank you also for leaving the message on my Pbase page.

Terry

[fringe_dweller]

Well said Houghy - echos my feelings too - a remarkable human being - Ad Astra Erwin - from a humbled Fan. and thankyou Dennis for that beautiful eulogy.
Kearn

[ballaratdragons]

Thank you Dennis. You made me feel as if I was there. Very thoughtfully written.

For those of us that could not be there it was very discriptive. I thank you for posting it so we could be distant observers and participants, much the way we were with Erwin in here.

[beren]

The Digital-astro yahoo group has a tribute on its front page for Erwin with one of his stunning images

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/digital_astro/?yguid=162362318

[ballaratdragons]

Yep, I saw that Stuart. Nice tribute.

[Dennis]

Dear Group

I just read a moving memorial from some of Erwin's friends in Holland. It was posted on Terry Lovejoy's website, on his tribute page to Erwin.

Here is the link ==>> http://www.pbase.com/terrylovejoy/erwins_modded_d70_gallery

Gone but not forgotten.

Best regards

Dennis

[tornado33]

Hi all
Does anyone know the cause of death as yet? what could have struck a fit active man down like that? Its unsettling to not know what was responsible for the loss of a great astro imager like Erwin.
Thanks
Scott

[Moonman]

The timing of these things can be ironic. The Star Camp will be a great opportunity for all who attend to have a unofficial wake and celebrate his achievements.

I looked at the web links just now, not previously familiar with him or his work, I can sense the intensity of his passion in the images.

My condolences to his friend's and family and thanks for a great legacy that is his body of work.

[Dennis]

Hello, Scott

The memorial from Erwin's Dutch colleagues makes reference to heart failure. I did hear news from within the SE Qld astronomy community that sadly, his aorta had unexpectedly and suddenly ruptured as a result of an aneurism.

This was my understanding at the time of the funeral.

It is difficult writing these words as I am not sure of what Erwin’s family would be comfortable with seeing written in a newsgroup and I have no official medical details.

Given that Erwin’s presence touched so many of us and his sudden departure has left a void in our lives, with unanswered questions for those who knew him yet were not able to attend the funeral, I hope that what I have written is acceptable.

Regards

Dennis

[westsky]

For those who may be interested in coming along, there is to be a memorial stone laying at Erwins favorite imaging spot at Leyburn next Saturday at sundown.
If anybody needs directions to the Leyburn site either drop me a PM or you can find the details on a PDF file on the SAS website.
http://www.sas.org.au/
it is under the "Camp and field nights" tag on the left hand side.

And don't forget to bring your scopes for what is one of the best observing sites in SE Qld.

cheers
David.

[tornado33]

Thanks Dennis for letting me know, much appreciated.
Sadly A ruptured heart anurism has taken other people of Astromomy too, Yuji Hyakutake the discoverer of one of the brightest comets in our time, certainly a Great Comet that i saw span most of the sky, died the same way. The actor who played the doctor on the great Sci Fi series Babylon 5 also died the same way.
Some people are lucky enough to get a warning of an anurism unexplained strong pain. My mother was one of these, she had a big anurysm on her adominal aorta, she was operated on with a dacron sleeve sewn in, it saved her life. Once an anurism actually begins to rupture nothing can be done, often even if medical aid is immediate. A mates father had a anurism rupture while he was in hospital and he still died, very quickly. Many ppl dont know they have one, as unless there is pain, there is no other sympton of anurism.
Scott