Astronomy Camps

[glenc]

I recently attended the Queensland Astrofest, which was excellent, and got to thinking about when and where to have astronomy camps.
I think it would be ideal to have two astronomy camps a year, six months apart, so that you can see all of the sky.
I don't like astrocamps in summer because it is hot and the nights are short.
Camps in winter have long nights but they can be cold and frosty.
I think the best time to have camps is in autumn and in spring when it is not hot or cold.
If you have camps between the equinoxes (21/3 to 21/9) the nights are also longer.

[glenc]

In 2012 you could have astronomy camps near the new moon in March and September. New Moons are on 22/3/12 and 16/9/12.
In March you can see the northern sky from Gemini to Lyra if you stay up all night.
In September you can see the northern sky from Hercules to Gemini if you stay up all night.
The next thing is to look for places that have clear skies in March and September.

[Allan_L]

...and if you can avoid "Daylight Saving Time" that will mean it gets dark an hour earlier too (...for some of us).

[glenc]

In Eastern Australia the best places for clear skies in March are (best first):
Tibooburra NSW
Mildura VIC
Wilcannia NSW
Condobolin NSW
Thargomindah QLD
White Cliffs NSW
Bourke NSW
Broken Hill NSW
Wentworth NSW
Balranald NSW
Albury NSW
Brewarrina NSW
Charleville QLD (also on the September list)
Roma QLD
Ivanhoe NSW
Trangie NSW
Corowa NSW
Kyabram VIC
Deniliquin NSW

[glenc]

In Eastern Australia the best places for clear skies in September are all in Qld (best first):
Croydon
Georgetown
Julia Creek
Richmond
Normanton
Longreach
Isisford
Winton
Hughenden
Kowanyama
Barcaldine
Palmerville
Windorah
Bowen
Blackall
Moranbah
Charleville (also on the March list)
Charters Towers
Tambo

[glenc]

Other things to consider are:
Avoid light pollution.
Moon phase.
Elevation - try and avoid the fog and mist in the valleys.
Distance to capital cities - not too far away.
A good northern horizon.
Avoid DST if you can.
Accomodation - are beds, bathrooms and power available?
Security

Generally southern Australia has better weather in Autumn and Northern Australia in Spring.

[glenc]

Annual
http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/climate_averages/solar-exposure/index.jsp?period=an#maps

March
http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/climate_averages/solar-exposure/index.jsp?period=mar#maps

September
http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/climate_averages/solar-exposure/index.jsp?period=sep#maps

[Brundah1]

Glen,

Great lateral thinking their mate.

Don't forget school holidays may put a dampener on some with young families and limit availability of established camp accommodation. You need to be 30 mins from a town for supplies etc.

But you should pursue your thinking - those equipped to camp out with small generators may really like your ideas, as this opens up many more options for dark skies. Country sites away from the coast equi-distant from Melb / Syd or Syd - Bris would be best.

David :thumbsup:

[glenc]

Thanks David, good suggestions.

[ballaratdragons]

That's why we have 2 each year :thumbsup:



We have ours in March and November at New Moon time :thumbsup:
Lots of research went into developing these dates.



Tick, to all items :thumbsup:

except we are near a valley :lol:



We avoid school holidays and are even closer than 30 mins to towns and supplies, yet still have pure dark skies :thumbsup:



Already done.
At the SVAA we have been running 2 Astro Camps each year filling all the above requirements for the last 6 years.
And it works :thumbsup: http://astronomycamps.bravehost.com/home.html
Maybe QLD needs that 2nd Astro event if they don't already have one.
NSW already has several each year I think.

[jjjnettie]

You weren't the only one thinking along those line Glenn.
We were having 2 Barambah Astro Camps a year, but it's a big job to organise.

[Jen]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: yep and i always have the best time each and every time i go :thumbsup::thumbsup: love it :D:D:D

[desler]

We love you too Jen.

After all, you can cure Vertigo!

Darren

[jjjnettie]

:question: What ever do you mean by that Darren?
.
.
.
.
.
:whistle:

[desler]

By the emoticons JJJ, I'm guessing you already know!

Maybe Doug will fill you in!

I personally, do not suffer from the affliction, but am more than happy to take part in the clinical trials.


Darren

[jjjnettie]

:rolleyes: tsk....boys......

[Jen]

:rofl::rofl::rofl: lol Darren :rofl:

[Hagar]

Saint Jen. Performs miracles on fire towers. I always manage to win the boobie prise when i'm up a tower.
:eyepop::eyepop::eyepop::eyepop::ey epop::eyepop::eyepop::eyepop::eyepo p::eyepop::eyepop::eyepop::eyepop:: eyepop:

[Jen]

:rofl::rofl: Douggie you crack me up :lol:

[glenc]

Summing up, I think we need to have astronomy camps twice a year near the new moon in March or April and September or October.
The location should be elevated, have good weather and be within 2 or 3 hours drive of a capital city.
Bunks, toilets and showers are also good.

Clear skies can be found using the map for the month in question at:
http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/climat...period=an#maps (http://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/climate_averages/solar-exposure/index.jsp?period=an#maps)

[thunderchildobs]

You forgot the most important part, the organsing comittee and general helpers.


I was having a late night chat with some Qld Astrofest committee members some years, when someone else suggested "Lets have two astrofests a year". A committee member responded with "That is a brilliant idea. When are you going to organise it". The person responded "Er, never mind".

[glenc]

The organsing comittee and general helpers at the Qld Astrofest did a great job but Brisbane's weather in March/April is usually cloudy.