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Hi all,
I am a bit undecided on this, notwithstanding I voted for April.
The advantages of March are:-
1) Warmer nights.
2) More time after dinner to get set up for the evening.
The advantages of April are:-
1) Less likelihood of rain.
2) "Arguably" better targets to observe
3) Can coincide with school holidays.
Some general comments.
I have been to every ISAAC except last year. The big thing I noticed and it was very dissappointing to me, was the noticeable lack of children and families. I think that happened this year because of when it was held.To me a star party shouldn't be "a boys weekend away", although it can be if you wish. A star party IMO should be aimed and promoted as a family event and should be held at a time conducive to children and families attending. With school having only just gone back this year I think a lot of people were reluctant to pull their kids out of school for a day or two. Because of this and the distance it makes it difficult for people to get there and set up before dark on the Friday and on that basis they figured it was all too hard for 1 or 2 nights and didn't bother going. I think if this is going to be the continued success it has been in prior years, consideration needs to be given to holding it during the school holidays. This is where it started and it was enormously successful. Unfortunately the heat by day in January made it almost unbearable so it had to be shifted. I know my son was exceptionally bored this year as there were ZERO other kids of a similar age, there for him to interact with and he had no interest in the talks by day. In the past at IISAC and at Border Stargaze he has had a great time at these star parties because there are lots of other kids around.
Cheers,
John B
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