Ipswich Region Astronomers

[Grejoh]

Hey peoples, I was just wondering if there are any astronomers who live in Ipswich or the surrounding areas? Would be great to meet and great fellow like minded person who live in the area. Dont be shy, say HI! :)

[NJB]

Hi Greg.

I don't live in the Ipswich area - I'm about 1/2 hour drive away near Browns Plains. But soon (late August), I will be moving to Laidley. Still about 1/2 hour from Ipswich, but with heaps better sky. And hopefully more opportunities to observe.

I am hoping that at this year's Qld Astrofest (http://www.qldastrofest.org.au/) I can catch up with anyone from the Lockyer Valley area. Are you planning on being at Astrofest, Greg?

Noel

[pmrid]

51km north of you: see TenChain Hill Obs threads in this section.
Peter.

[mch62]

Noel, i am in the lockyer Valley as well --Glenore Grove Observator.
Yes the Skies are great especially to the south and north. A bit of glow from Bris vagas to the east about 10 degs up but thats not a problem. Toowoomba only presents a problem if there is any wispy clouds around but most times we are blessed with dark skys out here within 1 hr of Bris Vagas.
Will be at astrofest for first WE to Thursday, just look for someone camping in the back of a Mazda ute.:D
Mark

[Brundah1]

Hello Greg,

Noticed your comments in your public profile.

Welcome to this freindly group from another relative newbie who has been a member for less than 12 months but met great peopel here and learned so much. There are hours of reading and great advice in these forums.

I'm also from the aviation field, but now retired and then got bitten by an astronomical bug.

Note Peter's welcome to you from ten chain hill. I can vouch for his genuine warm welcome. I have spent a couple of nights with Peter at his dark site observatory - plenty of scope to learn a few good tips.

Clear skies,
David

[GC]

Hi Greg,

I'm a newbie here to IIS (joined today). I live in Sunnybank Hills, and work in Goodna. I'm builder and user of telescopes and equipment, but haven't been at it for too long.

I am actually considering starting a club which would be closer to me. My workplace in Goodna has a large open grassed area down by the river with almost no nusiance lighting at all. It would make for a great meeting and observing area without having to travel too far. I can probably arrange for some indoors areas as well.

I was going to gauge interest at Astrofest, but I thought I'd start here. It doesn't have to be too formal, just meeting up of interested people. Are you interested? Is anyone else?

[NJB]

Hi Mark.

I plan on being at Astrofest from Tue 10 to Sun 15. So our days should overlap. I look forward to catching up with you and finding out more about your observatory at Glenore Grove. I hope to build some sort of shelter for my scope once I move, but that will depend on available finances. I'm tired of having my equipment locked up in a room in the house, and it being a major task to get it all out and usable!

Noel

[Grejoh]

Hey Greg,

Yes I would be interested. There seems to be no form of club or gathering that really caters to those of us in the Western Region, say Ipswich/Lockyer Valley, which is a shame. So count me in.

Greg

[mch62]

Ditto the club. I had concidered joining one but from the Lockyer it's not practical with the current clubs.
Mark

[NJB]

Maybe the time has come to form a club (or a sub-branch of a pre-existing club?) for areas west of Ipswich? Count me in (once I actually move there...).

Noel

[pmrid]

Like Mark, I find that being in a rural or semi-rural location doesn't make the existing clubs very workable. But there is no doubting the advantages of building more of a sense of community around those of us who pursue this ear-freezing, butt-numbing, dollar-gulping hobby. Having my own Obs has made me less inclined to travel also. Perhaps that's common. I don't know. But I do really need to improve my skills in several areas like image processing and being able to rub shoulders with others with those skills/knowledge would be a definite plus. So while I am a bit ambivilent about the formalism of clubs as such, I am certainly a supporter of more contact and exchanges. That's why I open up my place (TenChain Hill near Somerset Dam) to like-minded lunar-tics on the New Moon weekends - weather permitting - and I see the same offers in this thread coming from others. That's the kind of thing we can begin with and when a kernel of people seem to have formed up around one location or another, perhaps a club can follow in due course. But it seems to me that we need to begin by knowing who we are and getting some contact going.

I'll be at AstroFest also (the final 4 days I think I booked for). I suggest that's probably a good place to have a coffee session one afternoon and see where it goes from there.
Peter.

[mch62]

Hi Peter. I intend on attending one of you nights soon.:thumbsup: I have purchased a little SCT for Hyperstar imaging just for the purpose of a travel scope just waiting on a few things to turn up. Hopefully by Astrofest I will be fully up and running. It's good having an observator but the socalising of meeting others like minded weirdos (what the boss calls us):P is usefull for learning and ironing out problems :D


Mark

[GC]

Greg, Mark,

Thanks for the interest. I've checked with the boss, and he's fine with the use of the area, and there are three possible areas on the property. I've tried out my main scope in the "worst" area on Friday, and it's very good for an urban observing area.

So it's just a matter of when and how to start! I'm away from end June to mid July (i.e. new moon, darnit), so perhaps we can get something together after Astrofest in August.

Unless you want to meet up sometime this month. We don't even need to get the scopes out, maybe just meet for coffee/beer/other.

[AstroJunk]

Noel, we had Toowoomba and Bundaberg sections of the AAQ for a while so it can work. In the end, Bundaberg started their own Inc, and our very fine Toowoomba members preferred traveling to Brisbane for the facilities that we offer...

But being an affiliate of an established club is a very good way of starting out as you can get access to plenty of resources as well as the all important insurances with minimum of fuss.

If you guys get serious, give me a shout.

Whatever way: come along to our club meet this Saturday: 4pm in the Parnell Building, UQ, St Lucia. Visitors are very welcome to all our events.

[Grejoh]

Well I am now the proud owner of an Orion XT10i Intelliscope! Lets get a bit more serious about this gathering and try and get together some time. Although not next week! I am shifting house from Brassall to Raceview! :D

[astro_south]

Hi Greg

Just wanted to register my interest in a get together. I am in at Parkinson (between Noel and Greg [GC]), but I have spent many nights out at Glenore Grove with Mark.

My uncle recently purchased a property south of Gatton. I haven't checked it out for darkness yet but I plan on doing that soon, so this might be another location. I have also contemplated a session out at Ten Chain Hill, but the timing of work and weather has not made this possible yet ... but I will make it one day ;)

Would be certainly interested in joining in an observing session anywhere from Ipswich (only 20mins away) to the Lockyer Valley over the coming months.

[mch62]

Hi Andrew, :hi:haven't herd from you for a while. Are you allowed to goto Astrofest:D
I would say your Uncles property will offer similar views to my place with very dark sky's to the south and north and only a very subtle glow from Brisvagas to the east at times and only a bit of cloud glow from Toowoomba to the west at times. Mark:)

[steve000]

Hi guys,

Its really nice to see some locals on here, Mum place (telescope home) is at Hatton Vale and yes the viewing is beautiful. http://steve000.dyndns.org/ the first 3 images are a 30 second exposure.
Im a bit new to Astronomy in someways so I would be really keen on meeting up one night, id be willing to offer mums place as a meeting place, plenty of land easy access heaps of parking. I don't think she'd have a problem with it.
Her place is at the base of the minden ranges on the gatton side so the brisbane/ipswich glare is hidden somewhat.
Let me know your thoughts on this, only available on weekends, no accommodation is available unfortunately, however your welcome to camp and there is a hotel just up the road.

[SarahRJ]

Hi everyone, I live in Ipswich and have become fascinated with the sky, I am considering studying Astronomy at uni but I would like to learn a lot more about it before I do. I am thinking of becoming a member of the Brisbane Astronomical society, anyone here a member? or maybe we could organize our own outings?

[Shark Bait]

Hi Sarah,

I have been a member of the Brisbane Astronomical Society for just over a year and I have enjoyed my time with the group.

I am sure that you have already checked out the website but here it is just in case you need it:

http://www.bas.asn.au/index.html

It is a great place to get a handle on astronomy, check out the gear that is available in the market place and meet like minded people.

Regards,
Stu.

[jesse16246]

Hello all

This is my first telescope and I can't see anything with it

I just bought a telescope on ebay it is a Astronomical Telescope, Achromatic Len, D=60mm, F=900mm

I think its a good quality one as it came in a wooden box

I set it up as best I could but I can not see anything with it.
I even aimed it at the house and I could just barley see the lights on


I was wondering if anyone lives near Hatton vale and wouldn't mind me bringing the telescope to their house so they could show me what i'm doing wrong
or if anyone has any suggestions to try.

My next step i'm thinking is waiting till the full moon comes and to see if I can see that

thank you

[jesse16246]

I forgot to add the ebay link
this has the pic off the telescope from ebay

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/230874385315

[NJB]

Hi Jesse.

I just saw your message from a few days ago about wanting some help with your telescope. I live in Laidley, not far from Hatton Vale, and I am willing to give you some assistance if no one has responded so far. Send me a private message if you need help.

Noel

[JTomba]

Hi all,

I live in Ipswich and am looking to sell my beloved telescope. It is a 150mm Skywatcher Pro Series Mak-Cas, purchased about 5 years ago direct from Sirius Optics.

Since I have owned the scope it has been used only in the backyard and has not travelled much. I have cared for the telescope meticulously and am looking to sell as I am finding it harder to make time to use it.

All manuals are provided, the scope comes with a HEQ 5 tripod and two eyepieces, SynScan GOTO, aluminium carry case and power adaptor and is as new.

If you are interested and want more details please call me on 0439 084 474 or email juliantomba@hotmail.com

Offers around $2000 considered

Thanks

[Aaron33]

I see this thread has been dead for yrs but I'm lockyer valley based. laidleyite.. have a 6in saxon not great but looking a building one sourcing all my bits and pieces but would be great to catch up and do some sky watching sometime

[rrussell1962]

Hi Aaron, Holy thread resurrection Batman! You could check out the Astro Anarchy Facebook page, they go down to Wyalarong Dam to observe (did I spell that right?) I've not been out there as I do most of my observing by myself, just me and the stars, but if you are the more sociable sort it might be worth a look.

[dpastern]

well, I'm gonna revive this thread from the dead too.

Did a club for Western Brisbane (i.e. Ipswich and surrounds) ever get formed?

Aaron - I have exactly the same scope!