BORDER STARGAZE 2012 - 15-19 August

[The Unbeliever]

Greetings all,

I have the pleasure of announcing that Border Stargaze 2012 is now open for registrations.

Border Stargaze 2012 will be held at our regular location the Wymah Valley Holiday Park located 30 minutes North of Albury. Good news Wymah accommodation prices are the same as 2011 and our adult registration fee is also unchanged.

The event will be held from Wednesday 15th to Sunday 19th August 2012 (4 nights) you can however book a longer stay. If you require assistance completing our online registration form please do not hesitate in contacting me at borderstargaze@iprimus.com.au

We will be continuing our partnership with Charles Sturt University during National Science Week as we host our 6th annual outreach program for primary and secondary schools in our region and for the first time launch our inaugural ‘Science Fair’. The outreach program and Science Fair will be held with the support of staff and students at Charles Sturt University, Thurgoona (Albury).

Science Fair 14 – 16 August
The key note speakers for the Science Fair are Dr Brian Schmidt the 2011 Nobel Prize winner in Physics and John Sarkissian Operations Scientist at Parkes. The science fair will be open to everyone and will feature demonstrations, hands on science activities and workshops. If you book early for Border Stargaze you can come and join us at the Science Fair.

To register for the Border Stargaze at WYMAH visit our website at asaw.org.au or simply follow the link http://www.asaw.org.au/

In response to the feedback we received post BSG 2011 we have continued to provide dates for longer stays, sending an email to all past guests, booked terrific weather (6 perfect nights in 2011 will be hard to beat but we will try) and booked Brownie (outback catering). Brownie and his crew will be catering for the Sunday morning free breakfast for registered guests courtesy of ASAW as a thank you for not only supporting a terrific event but being a part of our annual community outreach program.

[astro_nutt]

The family and I will be going again this year for sure. Good company, great food, lots of activities and heaps of fun, plus if the weather behaves, some great observing to be had.
Cheers!

[The Unbeliever]

It will be great to catch up with you and the family and fingers crossed for clear skies. Last year was the most relaxed event to date!!!
:welcome:

[The Unbeliever]

I know this is early but we are up to 41 registrations so far.

I paid a visit to Wymah this weekend to catch up with the new management team and discuss the event this year. They are looking forward to the 'BSG experience'. According to the newbies Warren and Leonie (previous managers for the past three years) rate our guests very highly and are disappointed that they won't be at BSG this year.

I have to say I am not surprised by the compliments.

Cheers

Dave

[spacezebra]

OMG!:eyepop: Im crossing fingers that we get the 7/7 clear skies we had last year!

Cheers Petra d.

[erick]

'Tis in the diary. I'll need to get a little closer to lock it in. And this is a camp I may be able to convince my wife to attend, the venue is good for non-stargazers like herself.

[astro_nutt]

Eric, my wife and daughters are non-stargazers also but they still enjoy the fascillities, stitting around the fire, taking in the lectures, demonstrations and the trivia!...plus meeting up with people! The peace and serenity makes for good nights sleep..no sirens, hoons, planes or angry noises. The aroma of someone ELSE cooking up breakfast makes for a great start to the day!

[seeker372011]

I'd love to but may not be possible...may be a last minute thing

[Big Dave]

Sorry won't be heading this year (at least with the whole family) due to spending all my allocated money on the eclipse trip in Nov. I am also heavily booked with a work project over that period as well. Will look at a little closer to the time (and if the weather is promising) may come just for the Sat night or something.

[The Unbeliever]

No problems Dave, if it is last minute I am sure there will be room for you.:thumbsup:

[erick]

We drove past last Monday, so I took my wife in for a look. She said "looks great". So will get us booked this weekend! :thumbsup:

[spacezebra]

Hi Eric

Looking forward to catching up with you both. :) Accommodation is filling very fast this year - so your booking is well timed!

Cheers Petra d.

[erick]

We are in! Beauty!

[The Unbeliever]

Hi Everyone

Hot off the press the new T-shirt design for Border Stargaze 2012 is locked in.

117193

Many thanks to Greg for allowing us to use his image!

Visit www.asaw.org.au if you would like to place an order.

Cheers

Dave

[CapturingTheNight]

:thumbsup:

[spacezebra]

Hi all

We are now finally able to announce this HUGE NEWS!!!!!

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/56865/funding-boost-for-science-fair/:D

NOTE: Border Stargaze (Star Party) will still be at Wymah - however now we also have a Science Fair in conjunction with Charles Sturt University (Thurgoona):thumbsup:!!!!

Cheers Petra d.

[strongmanmike]

Wow! great news Dave, congratulations :thumbsup:

[Farscape]

Hi

Just made my booking for 2012. See you all under the clear skies of Lake Hume.

Linda

[spacezebra]

Hi Linda

Looking forward to seeing you at BSG2012

Cheers Petra d.

[spacezebra]

Thanks Mike

We are stoked!!! The star party and now science fair are reallly taking off!




Cheers Petra d.

[Paddy]

Just booked in for Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Hope we have skies like last year!

[spacezebra]

Hi Patrick

Good to hear that you have booked in! We are crossing fingers and toes for another great BSG. We were so pleased to have such a great run of clear skies last year.

Reports are circulating of a dry August - but who knows!!

Cheers Petra d.

[astro_nutt]

Finally!...got the family booked in for 3 nights this time....it'll be good to catch up with everyone and hopefully have the same run of clear nights as last year...and it all happens in a tad over 3 weeks.....so not long to go!

[spacezebra]

Hi Norm

Great to see you and your family again. We are crossing fingers and toes for a run of clear nights..

Cheers Petra d.

[The Unbeliever]

Thanks Mike, its been a long journey to get this far but worth every step.

Hopefully we will see you at a Border Stargaze event.

Cheers

Dave

[The Unbeliever]

Finally the guest info kit is available. Don't forget that meals will be available throughout the event courtesy of Catering Outback (Brownie and crew).

http://www.asaw.org.au/index.php?page=1

:welcome:

[Rob_K]

Looks like it's going to be a fantastic camp again! :thumbsup: Sadly, I won't be able to make it. :( Was hoping that an opportunity would present itself as the time grew closer but alas I'll be up in Canberra. Good luck with everything, look forward to hearing all your reports.

Cheers -

[spacezebra]

Hi Rob

Sad that you can't make it this year and thanks for the well wishes. We are looking forward to our inaugural science fair on Saturday 11th August which will be open to the general public.

Cheers

Dave

Hopefully you will be in the right place in 2013!:thumbsup:

[spacezebra]

It's nearly here! Hurry book online now to avoid missing out.

Cheers Petra d. :D

[spacezebra]

Its not too late to register for Border Stargaze 2012.

www.asaw.org.au

Cheers Petra d

[Farscape]

How is the weather looking for the weekend? I have my fingers and toes crossed for clear night skies.

See everyone Friday afternoon. :hi:

Linda

[Paddy]

Forecast is looking good for Saturday night at least. Is there no emoticon for crossed fingers?

[barx1963]

Paddy
Good luck with Saturday. It does look like it will be OK.

Malcolm

[spacezebra]

Hi all

The actual weather that we have had over the last few days has been a total contradiction to what has been reported - so Im totally confused as to what we will get.

Safe journeys to all - see you there.

Cheers Petra d.

[erick]

Yep, I'm just ignoring the forecasts. Whatever the weather is, I plan to relax and enjoy myself. :thumbsup:

[spacezebra]

Excellent Eric - looking forward to seeing you.

Cheers Petra d.

[astro_nutt]

Just got back from this years BSG...
Firstly I have give a big thank you to David and Petra for doing an excellect job in keeping everything going despite the weather being a bit wet..(although it did clear up enough on Saturday night for a chance to peek at the Galactic Centre for a few hours.)
The good folk at the Wymah resort for making our stay welcoming and comfortable
Also to Brownie and his family for putting on a great spread as always..the vendors for making my wallet lighter..the members of ASAW who worked hard to keep everyone amused and not forgetting the special guests for sharing their experiences...Oh!...and to Miles Allen for giving all of us the best medicine!..Bless you all and see you next year!
Cheers!

[Paddy]

Ditto - just got home after another great BSG. Thanks to Dave & Petra and all the ASAW crew. Also to the wonderful presenters - one of the great bonuses of BSG! Great to catch up with old friends and enjoy some observing on Saturday night, which ended up being very clear. I was a bit stunned at how sparsely populated the observing field was. Great to share some stunning views through the mighty Nix. Thanks Alex.

[alexch]

We are back in Melbourne as well.

Another great Border Stargaze! The weather tried to do the usual trick but enough toasts were said to clear skies for the Saturday night and in good faith I set up the dob while it was raining (the first for me). Around 8pm the wind dropped and it became 100% clear. We had a cracker observing session. The highlights of the night were M31, Galactic parade in Grus and Fornax and double shadow transit on Jupiter to finish the night at 5am in the morning. 6.30am it was raining again...

I can't thank ASAW enough for all the efforts in making a great star party year after year. We had great time and kids enjoyed it too!

Cheers,
Alex

[The Unbeliever]

Hi All

As always I am both impressed and humbled by the incredible support and well wishes we receive from our guests. All the way through you kept in high spirits and thanks to Andersons Wines some of you even higher despite the occasional showers (ok downpours).

This year like many others we (ASAW) are supported by the generosity of the guests who not only come to the event but pitch in at key moments to help us in setting up and cleaning up. This is the true reflection of how we have all grown to become not only colleagues and acquaintances but good friends.

Thank you all once again for making each Border Stargaze a memory to be treasured and I and everyone from ASAW look forward to hosting you in the future.

Kind Regards

Dave C

[The Unbeliever]

Many thanks Alex you are one of our most popular guest presenters and as always it is a pleasure seeing you and your family.

We always set out to make this a family friendly star party and each year I realise how old I am getting when some of the kids that attend were not born before 2007.:eyepop:

I am sure many of them will still be attending when they help me to my seat at a Border Stargaze in the future!

[The Unbeliever]

Thanks Norm, a Border Stargaze wouldn't be the same without your family in attendance.

I think Melissa has started a trend! Don't think I have ever been to a star party where attendees are either sitting around the fire knitting or playing with remote controlled vehicles.

Maybe next year we should use the theme 'Whats your hobby' for one of the activities :rofl:

[The Unbeliever]

I agree we had entertainment planned on Saturday and even when Peter announced the better conditions many chose to stay on for the evenings activities. It just goes to show Miles can pull a crowd just by putting on the orange NASA suit.

CYA in 2013

[Big Dave]

Just got home. Thanx again to the management team for putting on a great event. Till 2013.

[Big Dave]

Only Picture I took!
If anyone has more, please post!

[erick]

Well I took a few. A glimpse at the sky tells you why there isn't a telescope to be seen on the observing field - but........

[erick]

.......there was something else going on out there in the observing field!

[erick]

Many thanks to the ASAW team, Brownie and team, the resort staff and everyone. Well done against the weather challenge.

I did wonder over Sat night dinner whether setting up the scope that afternoon was crazy BUT from late evening it was a great night's viewing through until around 5am. Seeing was on the better side of average.

I set up with a good north view to concentrate on those seldom seen constellations - well for me anyway. Observed the various elements of the Veil Nebula for the first time - that was a lovely sight. M31 always underwhelms me - I have to cross the equator with a scope sometime. Back to the old favourites and NGC 253 never fails to please.

Promise you, there was less rain this time then the last time I came two years ago. Please give me another chance - one year when I come it'll be brilliant skies :prey:

[alexch]

Here is one of the comet C/2011 R1 (McNaught) we observed on Saturday night. It was dim in the eyepiece and had only one tail...

Cheers,
Alex

[JohnG]

Thanks again to Petra, David and the AWAS for another great Border StarGaze, weather was a bit ordinary but.....

Got setup on the imaging field on Wednesday afternoon and, like a few others got sucked into a big suckerhole on Wednesday night for an hour or two :lol:. Scope was then covered for the remainder of the time. Went down on Saturday night and had an enjoyable time looking through a number of big Dobs, thanks Patrick and Alex.

Thanks again to Brownie and crew for the catering, superb as usual. Unfortunately the Cookie or Pavlova Monsta (you know who you are) let the side down with failing to finish his 3rd desert, mind you after 2 and a half mains ;).

Looking forward to number 7, see ya all then :thumbsup:.

Cheers

[Farscape]

Thank you to everyone that made this year's BSG another great year - despite the rain!

Took this photo on Saturday evening at sunset.

See you all next year :hi:

[Farscape]

Alex - do I remember correctly :question: - were you going to put your presentation (pdf) on your website?

cheers
Linda

[Big Dave]

Be nice now, its a long time to SV

[barx1963]

Linda
I think you will find it here http://www.terrastro.com/files/bsg2012/BSG2012_Starscapes_Cherney.pdf

Malcolm

[h0ughy]

I really feel sorry that you guys didnt get much deep sky down there. I was at my 5th day allnighter and was really preying for a break but i sadly didnt get that until the second last night as Queensland Astrofest. Great to see that you had fun with other means though

[stevous67]

Yep, washed out again... Lucky the event organizers do a good job for the entertainment!

Good luck with 2013 Davo!

Steve :lol:

[Farscape]

Thanks Malcolm

[strongmanmike]

:rolleyes:....rub it in why don't you brother Hough :lol:

[alexch]

I wouldn't call a perfectly clear night with 9 hours of observing time a total washout.

[stevous67]

Did you fly one night somewhere else Alex?
:anaut:

[alexch]

No, I was still on Earth!

The events go like this - I set up the dob in the rain (Dave can confirm that) because I had a lot of faith in weather. 8pm we had a knock on the door and a request to turn off external lights. 8.30pm I was aligned and observing with Dave and others on the tennis court.

Then around 5am we saw a double shadow transit on Jupiter with John Sarkissian. We packed up 5am and people say it was raining again 6.30am.

Below are a few very rough single subs (comet has a few subs stacked) to prove my point. I would not bother processing them but I am glad I had a camera with me otherwise you would not believe it was clear Saturday night...

Cheers,
Alex

[The Unbeliever]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the sentiments we felt the same last year with 6 straight nights of clear skies and the only complaint the lack of sleep. Its good to see that we get to share the good weather with the not so good. One thing never changes though and that is how terrific it is to see a great bunch of people enjoying each others company each year.

I think Mike summed it up very well at the first star party that I ever attended, its the friendships you make, the opportunity to catch up and the time you get to spend with family and friends that is important. If the weather is good that is the bonus.

Great to hear astrofest went well.

Cheers

Dave

[The Unbeliever]

As always Alex awesome pictures!

[Rob_K]

Sounds like another fantastic event, congrats to the ASAW team! :thumbsup: Thanks for the reports, sorry I missed it. Looking forward to next year! :D

Cheers -