3RF Messier Marathon and Spring Break Star Party - Texas

[gary]

The 3RF Messier Marathon and Spring Break Star Party at Comanche
Springs Astronomy Campus near Crowell, Texas is being held from Sunday,
March 15 through Saturday March 22nd 2015 inclusive.

The event is a week-long star party for amateurs, under Bortle Class 2 skies
held by the Three Rivers Foundation for the Arts and Sciences (3RF).

The site is a premium dark-sky location, with complete amenities for the visiting astronomer.
These include air-conditioned and heated bunkhouses, a restroom and shower building, RV sites,
plenty of observing-field electricity, and free WiFi access.

Comanche Springs is a working observatory complex dedicated to education and outreach.
Instruments available to visitors include Argo Navis equipped 30", two 20", and two 18" Obsession Classic
Dobsonians, a motorized StarChair outfitted with 25x150mm Giant Fujinon APO binoculars,
a 15" F12 custom D&G achromat in a 28-foot Ash dome, and 90mm Coronado SolarMax
hydrogen-alpha telescopes for daytime use.

Learn more about 3RF here -
http://www.3rf.org/

Registration is limited to 100 participants on a first-come, first-served basis and is now open.
There is a USD50 registration fee, a USD10/day site-use fee, and an optional meal plan.

See here for details and for the registration form -
http://www.3rf.org/sciences-2/2015-s...ssier-marathon

We would look forward to meeting you there.

Qantas operate daily non-stop direct flights from Sydney to Dallas and return using their A380's.

See ya'll in Texas!

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593

[Allan]

Hi Gary. What day are you leaving Australia to go to this, and when do you plan on returning? Looks like a good event with lots of nice gear.

[gary]

Originally Posted by Allan

Hi Gary. What day are you leaving Australia to go to this, and when do you plan on returning? Looks like a good event with lots of nice gear.

Hi Allan,

Sounds like you are tempted.

I depart Sydney for Dallas on Saturday 14 March.

The advice I have been given is to then rest up a day or so in Dallas
before attempting to drive the four or so hours it takes to get to
Comanche Springs.

I am giving a presentation there on the Thursday afternoon.

I depart on Friday 20th bound for elsewhere in North America
and beyond.

Here is someone's photo gallery from the event in 2011.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/astrot...7626307509339/

The refractor looks impressive. Not too many places in the world
you can go to get access to use an instrument like this -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/astrot...57626307509339
https://www.flickr.com/photos/astrot...57626307509339


Best Regards

Gary

[Allan]

I am tempted. I'm in Dallas on Monday 9th of March for a couple of days before flying home. I have leave after that so could fly back to Dallas, but you know it does clash with IISAC. Might be hard to squeeze both in. Decisions, decisions.

[gary]

Originally Posted by Allan

I am tempted. I'm in Dallas on Monday 9th of March for a couple of days before flying home. I have leave after that so could fly back to Dallas

Hi Allan,

You're so close! If you make it, let me know!

but you know it does clash with IISAC. Might be hard to squeeze both in. Decisions, decisions.

I know what you mean!

March 16th is also the Melbourne F1 Grand Prix that I would have loved to
be somehow magically simultaneously at as well.

All you can ever do is put a peg in the ground, say "This is where I will be"
and then enjoy it to the fullest.

With that in mind I am really looking forward to being under northern
skies for a change alongside experienced northern observers.

Best Regards

Gary

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

Originally Posted by gary

Hi Allan,
The refractor looks impressive. Not too many places in the world
you can go to get access to use an instrument like this -
https://www.flickr.com/photos/astrot...57626307509339
https://www.flickr.com/photos/astrot...57626307509339


Best Regards

Gary

It is impressive !!

Here's a picture of me with the big refractor all to myself back in May 2007. I drove it from dusk until almost dawn.

That was the same night I got up close and personal with the "rattle snake". Could you check on him and see if he is still ok please Gary?

Cheers,
John B

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Just a note, I did the Dallas QF flight a couple of weeks back. Take a chance and book seats in rows 82-88 (right at the back). The flight is often lightly loaded due to distance (I hear around 80% max).

On the way over the CSM, once in flight, (because I am QFF Platinum) ask if I wanted to move to row with more room, so he assigned me row 86 D,E,F,G. Got a total of around 8hrs sleep in 2 shifts (16hr flight)

Chanced losing my "good" seat on the way back and reselected at row 88E. Again got the whole row. Another 9hrs sleep

I wasn't the only one that got that either way. There were about a dozen of us in the back that rows to ourselves each way.

Remember though, it is still like sleeping on a park bench, but easier to sleep than upright.