South Pacific Star Party 2011

[Paul Hatchman]

Hi All,

As Trevor mentioned, registrations for the SPSP 2011 are now open. You can register by going to www.asnsw.com/spsp/spsprego.asp (http://www.asnsw.com/spsp/spsprego.asp)

This year the speakers include Matthew Colless (AAO), John Webb (UNSW) and Rita Holland (ASNSW). We'll have all the usual workshops, the astroimaging and telescope maker's competitions, the Saturday prize draw, nightly sky tours if (when!) it is clear, the Saturday roast dinner, vendor displays, the swap meet and much more.

There will also be limited 240V power available at the House observing field for laptops and astroimagers. Generators are also permitted at the House for those who want to bring one. A battery charging station will also be available at the Main Hall.

Rules for the astroimaging competition are being finalised and 2011 rules will be available shortly from www.asnsw.com/spsp/imagingcomp.asp (http://www.asnsw.com/spsp/imagingcomp.asp)

If you have any questions please feel free to ask them here, PM me or refer to the attached PDF for other contact information.

I hope you can join us at Wiruna this 1st-3rd of April. We'd certainly love to see you there.

Kind Regards,

Paul Hatchman
President ASNSW

[tlgerdes]

For those interested in utilising the "House" at Wiruna, yes, we have have 240v power. We have an off-grid solar power system.

We generally use a generator to top up the house batteries and run the power during the day, then go silent around 9-10pm at night and run the house batteries through the night. Last year we had about 10 scopes and laptops running off the system through the night with no issues.

If you are interested in utilising the House, drop myself or Barry (barrykgerdes) a PM for more info.

[Big Dave]

Greg Walton, Alex Cherney and myself look to be coming this year, hopefully leaving the Melbourne weather behind!

:thumbsup:

[gary]

Thanks Paul,

Wildcard Innovations (http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au) are proud to be there again this year as a sponsor.

We look forward to seeing everyone there.

For newcomers to amateur astronomy, particularly those in the greater
Sydney region, the South Pacific Star Party is a golden opportunity to
meet fellow enthusiasts and also to look at a large range of telescopes
and observing gear. One of the most common recommendations for those who
have not purchased a scope yet or who are unsure of what type of scope to buy
is to come to an event such as this to have a look first hand and to chat with
the owners. Here is your chance! Don't be shy with simply introducing yourself.
You'll come away with having made some new friends and with Ilford's dark skies,
seen a whole lot of stuff that will have knocked your socks off! :thumbsup:

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[tlgerdes]

A reminder for anyone going, dont forget that there is a dedicated astro-imaging field along the track to the rear of the property in the western observing field. As well there is a radio telescope that we hope to have working by then :prey:

Just ask for directions to "the house" from any of the onsite helpers. It is about 5-10min walk from the main field.

We welcome you to visit.:thumbsup:

Camping and facilities are also available.

[Paul Hatchman]

The astroimaging competition rules are now posted.

Please see http://asnsw.com/spsp/imagingcomp.asp for further details.

[okiscopey]

Paul, can you please clarify the registration cost. The 'Invitation' PDF says $65, and the online form on the ASNSW site says $55.

Also, when is the early rego cut-off date?

TIA.

[Rodstar]

I am pleased to advise that I have just registered, a family booking this year to include my three children (ages 8,9 and 12).

I have not had a really good dark sky experience for about 12 months now, so my fingers are crossed for great weather this year.

Who else is coming??!!

PS I am planning to do some Televue purchases with Bintel whilst at SPSP, given the special runs until mid April!!

[okiscopey]

Rod, see you there!

[Rodstar]

Hi Mike, it will be great to catch up, and the kids will be glad to see your smiling face! What a great night we had at Science at the Pub in Coona that time!

[Paul Hatchman]

Hi Mike,

There are different prices for members vs non members and the prices in the pdf I attached are for non-members.

The best option is to either register online or download the registration form from the web site and you'll get the correct prices.

The early registration cutoff will be Midnight, Tuesday 15th March. After that date the $10 discount period ends.

Cheers,

Paul Hatchman

[okiscopey]

Thank you Paul ... I see the two forms have different headers. Now looking forward to the event!

[sasup]

Has anyone had confirmation of there registration payment? I am wanting to make my van reservations and work leave notice and have no idea if I'm even going. Just would like know the organizers have recieved funds for regestration of family of four, site camping, shirt xl and dinner x 4.
Thanks

[tlgerdes]

Hi Stacey,

Yes, we are running a bit late with this. Our treasurer has had to fly to Cairns to help his family. Something about a cyclone ;).

Things should be back to normal in about a week. Paul Hatchman can make further comments.

[sasup]

thanks I understand.

[tlgerdes]

Dont worry, there is room enough for everyone.

[Paul Hatchman]

Hi Stacey,

You should have your registration kit and confirmation by now. If there are any issues let me know and I'll get it sorted out for you.

Look forward to seeing you there!

[Paul Hatchman]

Mike,

My apologies as I've given you some wrong information. The early registration cutoff is actually Midnight Friday 11th March and registrations close Midnight Friday 25th March.

Again, I apologise if anyone is inconvenienced by my previous posting.

I hope to see you all at the star party.

[sasup]

not yet but as long as I know you know I am happy and we cant wait till april thanks for all your hard work

[Paul Hatchman]

Hi Everyone,

Just a reminder that registrations close for SPSP 2001 at midnight this Friday. If you haven't registered already, now would be a good time to do it.

http://asnsw.com/spsp/spsprego.asp

I really look forward to meeting you all at Wiruna. If you have any questions either PM me or email starparty@asnsw.com

Cheers,

Paul Hatchman
President ASNSW.

[Rodstar]

I have received nothing in relation to my registration...as per above should something have been sent to me by now? I registered three plus weeks ago?? I did get a confirmation number at the time that I registered on line, but that is all.:shrug:

[Paul Hatchman]

Hi Rod,

I'll check for you. Could you PM me your full name and email address? If you got a confirmation number you should be all OK. I know we are behind processing registrations and I'm sure you will be on the list.

Anyone else who is in the same boat either PM me or email president@asnsw.com and I'll get you out a registration kit right away.

[Paul Hatchman]

Hi Rod,

Yes you are registered! Your registration kit was just sent out tonight.

[Big Dave]

What's in the 'registration kit'?

[tlgerdes]

Hi Dave,

You get a PDF with details of event, including maps etc.

[Rodstar]

Thanks Paul, cheers!:thumbsup:

[White Rabbit]

Weather isnt looking to good :(

[tlgerdes]

Not sure where you get your reports from, but BOM and Skippysky at this point are pointing to favourable conditions.

[Zincberg]

Weather is looking great so far.... Dewy... but clear. :)

http://7timer.y234.cn/exe/ape.php?lon=149.46&lat=-33.01&en&

[Paul Hatchman]

I agree! (but I would say that ;))

None of the rain we've had recently has made it much past the mountains. We were at Bowen Mountain last Saturday night and were observing under clear skies while it poured down in Sydney.

I'm quietly optimistic.

See you there. And I hope you all have a great time

[White Rabbit]

Oh, I'll be there come rain or shine lol but If you look at the weather forecast from the site mentioned on the ANSW, it looks to be pretty poor. Maybe I'm trying not to get my hopes up as when I went to spsp two years ago the weather was atrocious.

http://www.weatherzone.com.au/nsw/central-tablelands/ilford

See you there.

[tlgerdes]

Ah yes, it says "Mostly Sunny".

That "usually" means clear nights in Wiruna.

You get the nice white fluffy cumulus clouds during the day and they dissolve at sunset.

[White Rabbit]

Good to hear, cant wait.

[Placidus]

The Astrophotography Section of the ASNSW voted unanimously today to permit square images between 210x210 (the short side of A4) and 250x250 (same area as A4) to be submitted to the ASNSW Star Party Astrophotography Competition.

Mike Berthon-Jones

[Big Dave]

I didn't get this, looking on the site for the rules. I cant remember if there was power available in the astrophotography field, or if I can use my inverter Generator. My inverter / batteries wont last the whole night now.

[tlgerdes]

Hi Dave,

Yes, we have 240v in the imaging field, just bring a 20m extension lead and a powerboard. You can bring your gen if you want, we can then take turns if necessary powering the place.

We have an off grid battery system that was able to run 8 scopes last year all night. It can be charged from the Gensets during the day. I think the house is a 1.5Kva battery system

We switched off the genset and ran on the house batteries from around 10pm.

We have a 2Kva gen up there.

[Paul Hatchman]

PM me your details and I'll get a kit out to you. Same goes for anyone else missing a registration kit.

[tlgerdes]

Hi P,

I have already forwarded the PDF to Dave.

[Big Dave]

On the road again....

[White Rabbit]

Whats mobile reception like up there, I might have to do some work during the day, boooooo!!!

[iceman]

Telstra NextG usually works ok.

[Barrykgerdes]

We're in the red area for Telstra next G. We get internet and mobile phones. Internet can be patchy in busy hours but other times ADSL speeds can be had.

Barry


X marks the spot.

[tlgerdes]

Telstra NextG is the only system that works up there.

[Big Dave]

Getting closer, at Young.

[tlgerdes]

3 hrs of travel tomorrow. See you at lunch. Safe miles.:)

[sasup]

should be there by mid day

[gary]

It was great to catch up with everyone at SPSP.

Friday night we all got some really good observing in.

Unfortunately on the Saturday night, though the day time looked promising,
cloud came in with a moist easterly wind early in the night and persisted
to at least 1am. Some reported getting some observing in around 4am.

Nevertheless, the social atmosphere was fabulous and everyone was relaxed
and happy.

Plus the views through the Coronado solar scope that Micheal from Bintel had
kindly set up outside the vendors hall helped compensate somewhat for
some of the lost observing opportunity on the Saturday night. Those prominences
really were something else!

A big thank you to the ASNSW and the team of volunteers who work hard
to make the event the success it was.

Special thanks to Rodstar for sharing the views through Mary Rose and for
his most enjoyable company. The two sets of galaxy clusters we observed
late on Friday night were absolute crackers!

Also special thanks to our customers for their support and it is always great to
meet you.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[qld]

:thumbsup:congratulations to the premier astro club of NSW for putting on this wonderfull event,the facilities were terrific especially the new Marque tent and new shower facilities for all (no more queing up) .The guest speakers were fantastic providing all with the latest information from their research. As Gary says it was great to see so many familiar faces,Wiruna is a show case location for amateur astronomers and deserves greater support outside the SPSP so that the facility can continue to grow and develop,if you have never been there try and get their this year and book early for SPSP next year it will be 20 years old.i also want to remind all that the sponsors were generous with their gifts and the vendors allways ready and on hand to help attendees with their knowledge.Once again Congratulations Paul well done ASNSW
see you all again in 2012

[Zincberg]

I would also like to thank the ASNSW for a wonderful weekend. It was my first visit to Wiruna and it will definitely not be my last.
I would especially like to thank all the volunteers that gave up their time to make our time at the SPSP an enjoyable one, you are all worth your weight in hypothetical gold.
Incidentally, I never had less than full bars of reception on my Optus iPhone.
Thank you all.. and I will be very early on the enroll list for next time, thats for sure.

Andrew Kaye

[Carlz]

Great weekend. I will definitely be going again. Many thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors and of course ASNSW for such a wonderful event. Cannot wait until next year.

[tlgerdes]

You have to be early to get badge #1, for 2 out of the last 3 years.:nerd:

[Rodstar]

It was a great year for SPSP. We had one good night of observing, and the administration of the event seemed as good as it has ever been. Thanks to everyone at the ASNSW for their great efforts.

One thing which particularly stood out to me was how many little kids there were around. Two of mine came, and they had a wonderful time, mixing with other children (and friendly adults), and will definitely be coming next year.

We have discovered the public swimming pool at Kandos, which is heated, and a fantastic place for the kids to go during the day to have some time off from the Astronomical Outpost which is Wiruna.

I had a great time mixing with many other IIS folk, especially many faces from the Pony Club. Gary and Mai made wonderful companions on both nights, they are a joy to chat and observe with.

I know when I have had a good astro-weekend when I come back motivated to observe. I have come back this time with some new ideas about what I might observe in the next few months, and in love again with Mary (Rose). She showed me some awesome views of the heavens this time, especially in terms of galactic clusters in the Centaurus region.

[GTB_an_Owl]

so i take it that this years SPSP was the most BORING EVER
am i right ?

geoff

[Deeno]

Without your razor sharp wit and charm :rolleyes:, it was bearable.

Seriously, ditto to the posts below. Had a good time.

Nice to see more families with plenty of kids running around, even bought Elara along. I hope she was taking note on how great Rods kids, Noah and Evie, are. We could be so lucky.

The Pony Club contingency was a healthy one, occupying a entire end of the observing field.

[GTB_an_Owl]

good start Deeno

but we want - MORE MORE MORE

geoff

[Rodstar]

What happens at SPSP stays at SPSP.......:P

No, seriously Mr Owl, your absence was sorely noted, you would certainly have had a roaring trade of freezer suits had you opened for business, it was pretty dang cold!

I am happy to provide a bit more detail....

My important piece of information is that the donuts produced by the Kandos Scout Troop have significantly improved in quality, as have their coffees. I was able, this year, to order a double shot latte. Not quite up to the standard of the Society Cafe in Phillip Street, but far and a way better than in previous years!

The vendor's market is much smaller with the absence of the York Optical Crowd. No doubt that is not being complained about by Bintel, who once again succeeded in causing me to part with some cash in exchange for a 16T5 for my finderscope. :eyepop:

There were some spiders out and about this year. One, living in a hole immediately next to the door of our tent caused some consternation. It was perhaps 5-6cm in length, a grey-brown colour. Not a funnel-web, possibly some sort of trap-door spider.

In terms of gastronomy, the Saturday night roast beast was up to it usual standard, the meat was tender and juicy, and gravy abounded. Off-site, I can advise that there have been some positive developments in terms of local meal options. In particular, Rylston (sp??) now has four cafes, the one I would recommend is called Cafe Loulu (or something similar), at the southern end of the main street. To my children's satisfaction, there is a lolly shop there now too!

In terms of matters mundane, there continues to be a problem with people forgetting to shut the lid on the drop toilets after they have finished (phewy), and the place is still rather dust-ridden. The Mary Rose will be having a shower this weekend.

I can report that the Milky Way remains distinctly milky, and Eta Carinae is yet to blow.

Hope to see you at the PC sometime soon, Young Geoffrey!:thumbsup:

[GTB_an_Owl]

that's enough of the "Young" Rod - thank you very much

i am now getting quite used to "old"

geoff

[Paul Hatchman]

The photos are now online at http://asnsw.com/gallery/SPSP19/

Thanks to all who attended to make it such a great event.

[gary]

Thanks Paul,

Great pictures. Great memories! :thumbsup:

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Phone +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[qld]

this is the premier event in Amateur Astronomy in the South Pacific ,its run by amateur Astronomers for All Astronomers and the proceeds go back into the hobby for all to enjoy and every month the party resumes at the premier site Wiruna,,,,,if never never go you will never never know Gary's support annually is testomy to the quality of this event

[mr bruess]

interesting photos.:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsu p:

Every one having a good time.Wish I could have attended.

[qld]

monthly star party is on again at wiruna it will be cold so pack the thermals and warm clothes, weather forcasts look promising. if you havnt got a tent or a van come anyway thers a house and the lodge style in the bunk house, if you cant bring your 50inch orion then dont worry there is allways plenty of others there to look through .Best time to arrive is in daylight and its about 2 1/2 hrs from Sydney(no serious traffic.) Take advantage of a dark site and the fact that it gets dark very early at this time of the year for a long night of veiwing all welcome see you there