Spsp 2010

[Allan_L]

So who is going?

[RobF]

Planning to. Will be my first time....

Looking forward to checking out that part of the country as well as the astro indulgence. :thumbsup:

[lacad01]

Fingers crossed I'll be going :thumbsup:

[xstream]

Not this year!

[iceman]

*sniff* can't make it this year.

[multiweb]

Actually to be fair in the poll I think May is one of the better months at Ilford. Crisp clear cold nights.

[leon]

Ive been a couple of times, but wont be attending this year.

Leon

[stringscope]

I will be there

[telecasterguru]

Already booked and paid.

[mozzie]

unable to make it this year

[Arthur Alchin]

won't be attending SPSP

[Rodstar]

This may the first year I miss since I started going in 2005...family commitments look like taking priority this year.

[Inmykombi]

Dont think I'll be going this year either.

I may opt for a smaller gathering with the " regulars " to the Central Coast.

[Quark]

Hi All,

Will be making the trip, about 1,100km from Broken Hill. This will be our 6th SPSP although our first since 2006. Hope to catch up with other IIS members in attendance.

Regards
Trevor

[markman123]

I've just sent through an order form now.

I'm a bit nervous about it all... I was hoping that asnsw has a 'fact sheet' or something to that effect. I'm also going along alone (of course my gf wanted no part of this whatsoever) - hope I can pass the Vehicle compliance!

M

[tlgerdes]

What sort of fact sheet do you want? I and most others who have been could fill you in easily.

[markman123]

Some things off the top of my head:

1) What time do most people get there? I'm thinking of getting there at around 6pm
2) Can I set up my tent next to my car?
3) Is there a roast dinner on both nights? I bought two vouchers assuming there was, but wasn't sure!
4) Should I introduce, or wait to be introduced to? (more of an etiquette thing)

They're just a few that I can think of now.

Thanks!

Mark

[Allan_L]

Not going this year but from last years experience:
1. Most people try to get there early afternoon.
2. YES. This is expected
3. NO. Roast only 1 night, but you can buy prepared food every night.
4. Generally,don't wait, make yourself known to as many as possible.
5. Pray for good weather.

Read the instructions and follow.

Have a good party !

[Paul Hatchman]

Hi Mark,

It's natural to be nervous for your first star party, but when you get there, you'll be fine I'm sure.

The registration kit will contain the answers to a lot of your questions. This starts getting sent out to attendees around the end of March.

1) Arrive any time on Friday after 9am. Just make sure you leave yourself enough to set up your tent etc in daylight. Because it is hard to do under red light.
2) Yes. But please note that you may not set up your tent on the observing field.
3) No, there is only a dinner on Saturday night. However the Kandos Scouts provide hot food throughout the event. Please contact John O'Brien (treasurer@asnsw.com) and explain that you bought too many tickets for the roast. He'll help to sort you out with a refund or credit.
4) I don't think there is a proper ettiquette. This will only be my 4th SPSP, but I've found it better to go out and start talking to people, rather than waiting for them to come to you.

I think you also had a question about your car complience. You need to be able to demostrate that you can open/close all doors and boot, lock and unlock the car without setting off any lights. This is becoming more difficult for modern cars, so sometime a trip to an auto-electrician is needed to fix this. But please think about whether you really need your car on the observing field. I just drive on, drop off my telescope on the Friday, park the car near my tent for the rest of the event and then pick it back up on the Sunday.

If you've got any more questions, please feel free to ask here, or send them to starparty@asnsw.com.

Cheers and hope you have a great time there.

[markman123]

Thank you Paul - fantastic.

If there is a kit that gets mailed out, I'm sure that will cover any other questions I may have.

I was just thinking that the observation field and camping was the same place - apologies. That will be more than ideal (having the two seperate).

Thanks Paul,

Mark

PS - I think you and I met at Crago the weekend before last... Might be mistaken...

[Paul Hatchman]

Yes, that was probably me! See you there next month?

Cheers.

[barx1963]

Re: Question # 4
At the parties I have been to, the best strategy is wander around and ask questions. Get people to show you their gear, explain what they are doing, most are happy to share knowledge and proud of the gear and want to show others. It is a good idea to leave enough time to have agood wander around in daylight, as once it get dark it helps to have a bit of an idea of where everything is on the field.

[markman123]

I'm hoping so, Paul. Let's hope the clouds stay away this time! I also hope (equally as important) that the schedule stays open for that Saturday.

Thanks barx - good advice. I'm there for both nights, so plenty on the Saturday at least to suss out the happenings.

[tlgerdes]

Wiruna is a pretty big place and plenty of room.

The front "paddock" is mainly for visual observing, and also where the main hall, kitchen, dining facilities (this is a good place to hang out to meet and talk to people), toilets and showers etc

The back "paddock" is about a 500m walk away and is where the civilised astrophotographers live :D:P (we have fridges, TV, Dvd players, music, great warm fireplace etc, not unusual for the "House" to be 27deg in the middle of winter) it is a smaller more intimate setting. We also have "less" stringent rules about light use, hence the lookers dont like us anywhere near where they are. :lol: So dont forget to wander up and say hello.

To all those driving from the city, dont forget check your tyres before getting out on the open road. It is about 3hrs 30min drive from the centre of the city. You also have about 2-3kms of dirt road from the main road, so take it easy.

[RobF]

What's the go on 240V power for the imaging fanatics?
I've believe there's none available, other than some limited recharging facilities during the day?

[tlgerdes]

Depends on where you are:D If you are up the back paddock at the house then we have power. We have a solar and generators with about 12 hours of 2kva battery @100% load, and are more than happy to share for running scope and computers. As for the front paddock, dont know dont got there.

Just bring a 25m extension lead and a power board.

We have room up at the house for about 10-15 scopes. Depends on how many are camping there.

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi Guys

We are working on an additional attraction for this years SPSP. A video hook up with the Texas Star Party in the USA. This will be a Sunday morning arrangement for about two hours.

This will of course depend on an internet connection that has been tested already from the house but should also work from the main hall.

I am also working on an "Internet Cafe" type internet from the House. There will be limited capacity for general communication but no downloading of music or videos.

Barry

[Marke]

I am looking forward to going again this year , maybe we can organise a meet up for all IIS members attending or doing something to recognise
each other ?

Mark

[RobF]

thanks Trevor - I selected "Astro Imaging Field" for the online registration - will this get me within 25m of the 240V? :D
(my first visit this year)

[tlgerdes]

Hi, Rob

Yes, you will be within 25m of power....... as long as you bring your own cord.:D Come and knock on our door, we are the caravan parked out the front opposite the house, next the radio telescope dish.

[RobF]

Many thanks Trevor for this info. I had been pretty sure my new CCD camera wasn't going to be out of the case on this one, but this is great news :)

[Matt Wastell]

Hi all

I have attanded many SPSP and thoroughly enjoyed them. I have missed the last two due to family stuff but will be attending this year's one albeit solo - Flinders is 2 and a half and we decided he would be a little adventurous! I am a little nervous too. Katie usually sets up the tent!!!!!!!

Maybe we could all do lunch / dinner one day!? It would be nice to meet the people behind the Avatars / posts.

[Matt Wastell]

We should - I am not a great organiser but lunch or dinner!? I camp (not sure where I will be this year) but we could meet somewhere, come to my spot and I can cook if i have some idea of the numbers?

[RobF]

I'll have to make sure I take my IIS T-shirt and beanie! ;)