SPSP, the count down

[Matt Wastell]

Hello all,

This is one of my favourite times of the year - the annual road trip to the SPSP (I drive over two days from Brisbane).
I was there last year but a tad unsociable due to some internal challenges / I did enjoy the space though! - I hope to see some familiar avatars there this year!?
I set up in the camping area and usually set up my solar scope there - I think I will take both this year so if you are interested in Hydrogen Alpha views please drop by and share a coffee or beer - my shout!
I am getting there on the Thursday - I am please for the extra day.

Hope to see you around - if you see me please yell out - my avatar is me!

[strongmanmike]

Sounds like an offer too good to pass up Matt - free beer :eyepop:

Is this a photo of your camp site last year :question:

Mike

[sasup]

cant wait. The kids are ready as well for some good ole camping out under the cloud-dew-and rain). Sorry meant stars......

[Marke]

Looks like the forecast has taken a turn for the worst , keep your fingers crossed for it to change.

[Matt Wastell]

Not one to brag but it looks about right!!!!!:lol:
I hope the weather is at least OK!!

[multiweb]

Will see you there. I'm hoping for some sun too and will bring my DMK with me so I can try to do a bit of sun white light too as the nights look pretty sogged on the forecast so far.

[Matt Wastell]

Hooray - the journey begins tomorrow - Brisbane to Narrabri.

[Cam]

2 days from Brissy.. Where is the SPSP???

[gary]

At ASNSW's 43 hectare premier dark sky observing site near Ilford, about
3 hours drive North West of Sydney, between Lithgow and Mudgee in
the NSW Central Tablelands.

Latitude: 33° 01' S
Longitude: 149° 46' E
Altitude: 1020m (3300')

Best Regards

Gary Kopff (member ASNSW)
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
Proud Sponsors of SPSP 2012
20 Kilmory Place, Mount Kuring-Gai
NSW. 2080. Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[Cam]

Thanks Gary

[Arthur Alchin]

Although im not a SPSP participant (i like the smaller gatherings like Bretti) I would like to wish all those going this weekend the best time and will cross the fingers and toes that the weather will improve dramatically for you all.:thumbsup:

[sasup]

once again we have decided not to go due to weather. best of luck to you lot. I am beginning to think it will never clear up.

[Star Catcher]

hi all just an update from spsp
skies started to clear around 8pm and cloudrd out by 10pm. at 1am 100% clear with 6/10 transparency. stayed cleat until 2.30 with fog coming in. followex by cloud. At 8am thursday blue skies breaking from the east and latge patches blue overhead.
ted

[Barrykgerdes]

I will be there from this afternoon rail hail or shine. Packed a bit of reading matter in case!

Barry

[Marke]

Ted thanks for that update we are coming up Fri hope rain stays away so at least it will be dry if cloudy
Mark

[Satchmo]

From memory we had a spectacular Saturday night last year even though the weather looked inclement from Sydney This is my 20th year attending SPSP - I look forward to whatever unfolds.

[stringscope]

I cannot make it this year as my 98yo Mother is quite ill. I hope you all get some clear skies.

[gary]

Hi Mark,

Ilford always seems to have its own weather system that does not necessarily
correlate with what is happening elsewhere, doesn't it.

Many a time it has been raining cats and dogs in Sydney only to be clear
at Ilford or it has been sunny in Sydney and it is raining (or even snowing) up there.
Sometimes the weather is the same. Sometimes it is different.

I recollect early one evening on a New Moon weekend, a group of us decided
to go down to the Ilford Roadhouse (long since defunct) to have dinner.
Whilst we were eating, it turned completely overcast and then absolutely bucketed
down and collectively we discussed how it looked like it would be a night of spinning
yarns in front of the fireplace at the house as it was self evident that there would
be absolutely no chance of any observing getting done as the weather had
clearly set in.

When we returned to Wiruna, only 8.5km away as the crow flies, we were stunned
to find the sky there was absolutely clear and the ground was bone dry.
"How about that storm we had? Did you manage to get your scopes covered?", we
asked fellow members on site. "What storm?" they responded quizzically.
It turned out that it had been perfectly clear there and not a drop of rain. :lol:

We have seen the same thing in reverse, with inclement weather at the star
party only to go 30km down the road toward Mudgee to find it crystal clear.

So the moral of the story of Ilford is that you can never tell. Always best
to pack for four seasons. :thumbsup:

This will be about our 17th SPSP. See you there!

Best Regards

Gary

[White Rabbit]

Thanks for the update on the weather, ill be happy with even a couple of hours of good weather.

Any of you guys going up to the house? See you there if you are, I'll be the one with the old blue ford fairmont and te white heq5.

Thanks

[Irish stargazer]

I'm heading down on Saturday morning. Had to work Friday

[sasup]

clear as a bell last night around 2 30 milky way from south to north and there is some surf in the morning yes I love sydney