ASV Annual Messier Star Party: Sat 25th Feb

[Moon]

It’s on again at the at the ASV’s dark sky site, and we would like to invite all members, family, friends and the public to attend this year’s event. It will include afternoon astronomical talks, tours of the site, wine tasting, Trivia fun, great prizes and food provided by the Lions Club.
Details are available on the ASV homepage (http://asv.org.au/).
I hope to see a few of you there!
James

[stevous67]

Did you remember to book the weather from the Friday to Sunday to be clear skies and no wind?

Steve :D

[stevous67]

What no one else!!!

Snake valley in filling nicely; or is there a problem here, or just no one caring to post. :shrug:

Gee, Big Dave, Paulo, Hagar, JohnG, and many more to Snake Valley. Is something happening there that's diferent to the ASV's Messier weekend?? I know, mud westling!!! I bet U! I'm hearing something about desert too!!

Steve :confused2:

[Moon]

Going by past years, I'm sure there will be a big turnout again. We might have to do a live video cross to SN again, but this time compare the culinary offerings?

The weather this weekend is looking terrible, so the pressure is on for the 25th. I'm getting withdrawal symptoms already. fingers crossed.

James

[stevous67]

Well, the early weather booking may have been received by the weather Gods. I cannot wait to drop a few scopes down on LMDSS dirt. Tonight I'm setting up my second mount to make sure I've got no broken cables!

First run with Win7, yes I'm a little scared, but all should be good.

James, looking forward to seeing you there!

Steve

[The_bluester]

Hopefully I will be along, with a mate, he had to bail early last year but I was one of the silly die hards still peering through an EP at four in the morning.

[astro_nutt]

Definitley going! Best to arrive early cause camping spots do fill up quickly!
Cheers!

[alistairsam]

I'm coming as well. will be my first time. Just got the asv membership sorted.
James, would you be bringing your 12" OTA or something else?

[jamespierce]

skyoyster and I are planning to cruise up unless the outlook is terrible by saturday. It's a good weekend, great chance to drag out family and friends to have a look at the sky. Heaps of people head home between 10 and 11 so it gets much quieter and much darker for a bit of serious looking if you can keep your eyes open.

[Moon]

I'll bring his little 8" cousin :-)
James

[andyc]

I'll be going - will be a first visit to a star party for me. Should be fun! And the forecast is so far promising, am just hoping there won't be a high fire danger warning to spoil the festivities.

[mishku]

I'm coming! I even bought a tent.

Will be my first ASV star party, how exciting! :)

[astro_nutt]

The weather forecast shows thunderstorms for Saturday, however it is still a bit early to be sure...as it has been know to be entirely diffrent on the night. Cloudy during the day..then it clears up at dusk!...fingers crossed!

[The_bluester]

Hope it is clear, this weekend is about my only chance to get out under the stars for the next month.

[astro_nutt]

Log onto www.skippysky.com.au. It does look promising for the whole state this weekend!!

[jamespierce]

Oh yes, the forecast has that front pushed back and back !

[The_bluester]

I hope so, you could not ask for as good a night as we had last year (So natually I am doing exactly that)

[The_bluester]

Well. A top night even if it was very hot in the afternoon. Numbers looked down in the afternoon compared to last year (I assumed due to the heat) but there was not much room on the observing field by dusk.

The only problem for me is that someone loaned me a Nagler 31. Now I want one!

[jamespierce]

Agreed, beautiful night out for us. I thought the numbers were a bit down too, but maybe we just setup in a different spot on the field to usual. Perfect warm night kepts a lot of folks out much later than usual too.

[barx1963]

The 31 Nag is a sweet EP Paul.

[alistairsam]

Hi,

Anyone take any pictures of the crowd and scopes?

[rmcconachy]

Numbers were definitely down on last year. However, last year was the biggest attendance I can remember and given how hot yesterday was many people probably didn't want to head out during the day. Also, some people may have mistakenly thought that a Total Fire Ban would be in effect around Heathcote cancelling the event because one was declared in the Central zone around Melbourne and out west. There were still plenty of people and scopes out on the observing fields.

I had a very pleasant evening. I caught up with a few people I've met before and looked at and through several different scopes (including those belonging to James and Alex). My thanks to those who do the work that makes these events possible and to those who are happy to share their scopes. :thanx:

[Moon]

Here is a short video: http://youtu.be/ta0KPXCRLcY taken Sat night from 9pm to about 1:30. We did get clouded out in the end, plus it was a bit windy for astrophotography.
Friday night was clear all the way though and hardly any wind.:thumbsup:

James

[alistairsam]

Hi James

That link doesn't work

[Moon]

The link is fixed now.

By the way, I forgot to mention this is on the astrophotography field.