OZ Star Parties March 2013

[DickieLee22]

Greetings,

My name is Richard. I am an American who will be visiting Australia for the first time in March 2013 (March 4th-26th). I just registered for this forum. Before exploring it I wanted to introduce myself so that I may ask for some help/recommendations.

I will be based in Melbourne during my trip, but I am willing to travel to another city if there is a star party or any kind of observing opportunity there. I will not be traveling with any of my own equipment.

Can anyone provide information/recommendations for Australian star parties (single night or multi-night) taking place in March 2013. Given that I will not have my own equipment, it would be very helpful if recommendations could reflect my need to borrow/share/rent some equipment, and could reflect that I am unfamiliar with the Southern Sky.

If no such events are taking place in March 2013, are there at least observatories open to the public and that allow the public to get behind an eyepiece?

I look forward to being a guest in your country.

Many thanks,

Richard

[barx1963]

Richard
You have come to the right place! Snake Valley Camp is on March 8-12 next year. Snake Valley is just over an hour west of the centre of Melbourne. Last night was the final night of their November camp and the skies were spectacular once the moon went down!
We usually have a number of visual observers and quite a few imagers there. It is fairly casual but very friendly.
The club website is here http://ballaratman.wix.com/svaa#! and the events page is here http://ballaratman.wix.com/svaa#!events .
I was speaking to Ken who runs the website and the Camps webpage is down at the moment, but hopefully he will have more info up again soon.

Malcolm

[stevous67]

Hello Richard,

South of Melbourne is the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society.

http://www.mpas.asn.au

If the location is convenient, send them an email and some members may arrange a special viewing for you. You could try.

Steve

[jjjnettie]

Hi Richard,
Malcolm got in before me. LOL
Snake Valley Astro Camp is the one for you. :) Plenty of very friendly folk who will be more than happy to take you on a tour of our Southern Skies.

[Jen]

:hi: hi Richard yes you should pop over to the Snake Valley camp
,its a great camp you will love it :D they just had one this month also check out the thread here :)

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=94054

hope to see you in march cheers :thumbsup:

[xstream]

Hi Richard,

Welcome to IIS!

You may find the OzSky Star Safari (http://www.ozsky.org/) organised by the Australian contingent of 3RF (http://www.3rf.com.au/index.asp) to your liking.

[bradpat]

Hi Richard, welcome to Melbourne!!

Hi all, long time member but been away since 2007 as had to sell our pride and joy :-(
Now,we are back and wish to know if there are any star Parties in the Melbourne region, preferably the Western Suburbs...we are in Hoppers Crossing (3029) and wish to introduce my two older youngsters to stargazing and would love to be around people who know what they are doing!!!

We have our own 8" telescope but it is a tad big (6 foot) but will manage !
Thanks in advance & welcome to Richard from the U.S. :-)