Rockhampton, May 2006

[bird]

This isn't an official star party or anything, but I'm going on a trip from my home of Canberra to sunny Rockhampton for the period 4th to 15th May, taking my 13" newtonian and imaging gear to ty and get some good images of Jupiter.

I've booked in to stay at on a farm north of Rockhampton called Henderson Park - I stayed there last year and managed to get my best ever images from there.

If anyone is nearby, or interested in travelling to join me for a few days or over a weekend, let me know. I'll be on my own, so some company would be nice.

As far as I can tell, Rockhampton probably is one of the best places for astronomy in Australia, due to it's climate and latitude. Last year I had a couple of nights of amazingly steady seeing (mixed in with the usual rain and stuff that comes down from the north).

regards, Bird

[davidpretorius]

i am keen one year to do this pilgramage, but will be stretched this year with a trip to snake valley, but am keen for next years jupiter

[bird]

This would be a major distance for you DP! I was thinking more likely that someone in qld would have a better chance of making it.

If you're keen to try next year, the opposition will be in June - makes the Rockhampton weather even better :-) *and* Jupiter is pretty much at the zenith, maybe even a little into the southern part of the sky from there...

How would you travel, and would you bring a scope??

Bird

[Striker]

I'm heading up to Rockhampton but unfortunetly Anthony I imagine I will need to go before this time...maybe within the next month or two.

Remember Rowena is up in Rockhampton.

[[1ponders]]

:confuse3: Hmmmmm....I might be about to swing it. I'll just have o check my calendar and check with the lads at work if they absolutely need me .....and I'd better let my lovely wife know.....but I might be able to swing it. Shame it'll be full moonish around then :(

[bird]

It'll be 1st qtr when I get there, and full a week later. Actually some moonlight makes my life a bit easier... I can see what I'm doing :-) Doesn't seem to bother the scope much when I'm imaging planets...

Don't panic about exact dates or anything, I'm booked there from the 4th to the 15th. There's room for 1 person to stay (the lounge converts into a bed).

Bird

[davidpretorius]

I am thinking of a similiar trip like damien does to the bahamas etc. With Dennis and Rob in qld, me driving to say canberra, hitching up with you, picking up iceman and then hitting the road. Matt may aslo want to come with the c9.25. Rumples also may be drive across to melbourne and then up with me.

Some thoughts anyway. We have Jupiter for a few years.