Amateur science is alive and well at NACAA 2012

[DaveO]

Just a reminder to everybody that the National Australian Convention of Amateur Astronomers (NACAA) is on in Brisbane over the Easter weekend!

If you are into the science side of astronomy, there is plenty there for you, including:


The Second Variable Stars South Colloquium (http://www.nacaa.org.au/2012/symposia/984)
The Sixth Trans-Tasman Symposium on Occultations (http://www.nacaa.org.au/2012/symposia/985)
Sessions on variable star observing, double stars and occultations


NACAA 2012 is being held at the University of Queensland, in state of the art lecture theatres just off the beautiful Great Court.

For full details of the event (http://www.nacaa.org.au/2012/about) and registration (http://www.nacaa.org.au/2012/register), go to the NACAA website (http://www.nacaa.org.au/).

[Greg Bock]

And don't forget that the BOSS team will also have an updated presentation on their supernova discoveries as well.

Perhaps we'll see some of you there?

[Blue Skies]

Yep, I'll be there, particularly at the occultation symposium where I'll be releasing the first version of a video occultation manual, so there should be no excuse for people to dive in and get involved with occultation work after that! (Including me!)

[Greg Bock]

Hi guys,

Just a quick note to say thank-you to all the committee and supporters of NACAA 2012 for a job well done.
The Australian contingent of the BOSS team really enjoyed the Saturday events, and immensely appreciated the opportunity to talk about BOSS. We also enjoyed the other talks on the day, and the fact that the whole day west so smoothly is a credit to the whole NACAA team.

I’m sure that the other members of the BOSS team feel the same way.

[rogerg]

I'd love to hear more about what went on at NACAA - seems there's not much comment on it? probably everyone too busy getting back to normal work afterwards :)

Any highlights?

Anyone know where the next one will be held?

[DaveO]

@Greg: Thanks for the kind comments Greg. Certainly from the perspective of the Local Organising Committee, we were happy with the outcome.

@Roger: Yep, I suspect that most of those involved have shut down their "NACAA Cerebral Centres" at the moment after the weekend. I for one would like to sit back and relax, but alas am in Sydney today and tomorrow - work never seems to stop! :sadeyes:

I will try to find some time to write up something here for those of you who couldn't make it, or at least point you to other articles that I find. Eventually something should appear on the NACAA website (http://www.nacaa.org.au/).

However I can confirm that ASV will be hosting NACAA 2014 in Melbourne, which is great - I love any excuse to head down south! :)

The weekend was great, with dynamic speakers and real buy-in from the professionals, who have been very expansive in their support for the amateur community. And of course Anthony Wesley go the (renamed) Berenice & Arthur Page Medal, as per the announcements here!

Science is very much alive and well in the Australian amateur community.