Solar Eclipse Cairns 14 Nov 2012 trip

Analog6 (Odille) · #1 16-12-2009, 09:54 AM

I know it is a LONG way off, but trust me, accommodation will be hard to find. Some places I have looked at are booked out already.

Anyone interested in coming to this event? I have put it on 2 photo forums, Australian Photography and Light Photo Art, but thought there might be interested folk here too. Totality is 2mins+ at sunrise (0544 local time), plenty of time for photos, and of course the full eclipse (including partial phases) is a few hours. Link to details
As you all know, an eclipse is a not to be missed event and it is right here in our own state (well, almost for me!). The annular in WA in 1999 was really thrilling, and in 2002 I drove from Canberra to SA in 28 hours for 30 secs of totality. And it was worth it. With this one in such a beautiful setting, and I've never been up there, it should be a real stunner.

I have made an enquiry on a boathouse cotttage at Oak Beach that accommodates 8, cost is $435 per night for a 5 night minimum stay, so divided by 8 that's $272 each. Also another venue at Clifton BEach that is a little collection of 1-3 bedroom cottages, quite reasonable tariff round $110 per night .

I'm looking at other accommodations as well. Please poke your telescope/lens up soon if you are interested.

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #2 26-12-2009, 06:53 PM

I am interested in going for a few days at least...maybe a week.

I would opt for the cheaper accommmodation.
Lets try and pool some money for the trip, and not miss this event.

I have never seen a " Total " and I want to desperately.

glenc (Glen) · #3 26-12-2009, 08:30 PM

We have booked at the Mt Carbine caravan park. http://www.mtcarbine.com/
We had a look along the 2012 center line last year.

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #4 26-12-2009, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenc

We have booked at the Mt Carbine caravan park. http://www.mtcarbine.com/
We had a look along the 2012 center line last year.

Thx for that.... I'll look into that place.
The prices look good too.

Cheers

AlexN · #5 26-12-2009, 09:41 PM

I'll definitely be there.. The moon should be rising by about 2am the morning of the 14th.... Good opportunity to image some of the targets that are just a whisker too low to the north...

Rob_K · #6 26-12-2009, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexN

I'll definitely be there.. The moon should be rising by about 2am the morning of the 14th.... Good opportunity to image some of the targets that are just a whisker too low to the north...

Nope Alex, it's an eclipse - New Moon! You'll have all night!

Cheers -

AlexN · #7 26-12-2009, 11:04 PM

Damn starry night and its failures!! (I hope I set the date right in starry night.. otherwise I'll look like a real fool.

)

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #8 27-12-2009, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inmykombie

I am interested in going for a few days at least...maybe a week.

I would opt for the cheaper accommmodation.
Lets try and pool some money for the trip, and not miss this event.

I have never seen a " Total " and I want to desperately.

Geoff and I have been talking about this.
I'm up for it. Share accommodation is a good. Just so long as there is room for all our scopes and stuff.
Is there a prerequisite, no snorers allowed??

Analog6 (Odille) · #9 27-12-2009, 06:23 AM

The Boathouse is off, too expensive. Update below. I looked at Mt Carbine but they are almost fully booked, only one cabin and camping spots left.

The place I think might be the best alternative is http://www.kurandarainforestpark.com.au/. Here is the copy of their email to me, a very reasonable one night's booking fee is asked.

"We have various types of accommodation ranging from Single Budget rooms which are $30 per night or $160 per week. Double budget rooms for two to four people, which are $55 per night for two people,$67 for three people, or $79 for four people.You also receive a discount if you book for a week.With the Budget rooms, you share the kitchen and bathroom facilities.
We have cabins and poolside units which are $90 per night for two people, any extra adults that the accommodation can have are $12 each per night.You also receive one night free if you book for the week.All our cabins and units are fully self contained with air conditioning.
To secure any accommodation, we require one nights non refundable deposit per accommodation booked."

This place sounds really good and the rates are, I think, very affordable. Kuranda is in the path but slightly south of the centre line, so we won't see a perfectly even corona or as many of the northern edge Bailey's Beads. Of course, we can always drive to a spot right on the centre line but the roads do not, apparently, have pull off spots.

Would anyone who wants to definitely book please let me know ASAP, either via this thread or by PM or email. My email contact is allowed under my Profile.

Of course, you can just do your own thing if you want, but I thought it would be good to get a group together. I am trying to get an eclipse 'expert' from my solar eclipse mailing list (on yahoo) and we could have a talk on it beforehand. I will bring my DVD of 'Chasing the Shadow' to whet our appetites.

Please let me know ASAP.

edited to add: I have also found this lovely site, which is a better spot, closer to the centreline and nearer the beach, but is under new management from February next year, so I cannot make enquiries until then.

http://www.glengarrypark.com.au/

CoombellKid · #10 27-12-2009, 08:14 AM

This all sounds good!!! you can probably count me in and maybe one
more for the shared accommodation. Will let you know in the next week
or so. In anycase we will be following this thread. Near the beach sound
real peachy. Probably wont be taking any scope gear except maybe my
PST. I'd rather camera gear... is there any filters I should think about.
I'll probably have my canon 450D on a tripod with a telephoto lens.

cheers,CS

CoombellKid · #11 27-12-2009, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenc

We have booked at the Mt Carbine caravan park. http://www.mtcarbine.com/
We had a look along the 2012 center line last year.

Glen do you have a map of where the path of the eclipse will run?

Cheers,CS

glenc (Glen) · #12 27-12-2009, 03:46 PM

Rob zoom into Qld on this map http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEgoogl...13Tgoogle.html
The road through Mt Carbine is parallel to the eclipse line.

Analog6 (Odille) · #13 28-12-2009, 08:28 AM

Rob, you will need solar filters for the non total phases. I have a sheet of the stuff I bought somewhere in this mess I call a house, hopefully I can find it by 2012!

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #14 28-12-2009, 09:15 AM

I've been told by those who know, that for a first eclipse, just sit back, relax, and take it all in.
Don't waste time fiddling with scopes and cameras.
Enjoy the experience.
but..........
I think I'll take along my Mini Tower and the ed80. I'd love to get some up close and personal views.

CoombellKid · #15 28-12-2009, 09:39 AM

I will be just snapping off a few at totality. Wide field stuff so wont be
much fiddling more enjoying while snapping a few off with the remote.
So I'm after more corona type shots, so you dont need any special
filters for that?

I have solar film filters for my 20x80's hmmmm maybe take them up too.

Hey Glen,

You didn't happen to check out Oak Beach just south of Port Douglas?
Thinking it might be a good spot to observe from.

Cheers,CS

CoombellKid · #16 28-12-2009, 09:42 AM

Thanks for the input from all!!! this is going to be an awesome event.

Cheers,CS

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #17 28-12-2009, 09:43 AM

I bought a new sheet of baader film last Astrofest. Might make up some sunnies as well, using an old pair of 3d glasses.

CoombellKid · #18 28-12-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

I bought a new sheet of baader film last Astrofest. Might make up some sunnies as well, using an old pair of 3d glasses.

I was in the newsagents the other day and noticed a mag in the space
section that had 3d images from hubble, mars rovers...etc..etc... and
came with a pair of 3d glasses. It had Brian May of Queen fame doing
the intro write up.

Cheers,CS

Liz · #19 28-12-2009, 10:11 AM

Obviously a few of us from Townsville will head up the track to Cairns

We talked about it during the year, and will be great.
Its still quite a way off .... 34 months or so if my math is right, so we wont book our accom for awhile, there is a bit around up there.
There are lots of little beach sites north and south of Cairns which would be great. Havent heard of Oak Beach, Rob, but could be a thought.
Am not a Cairns person, tho have been up a few times, but will sift around for info this year.
Hmmm ... so looks like I will hav eto get a sheet of Baader film, woohoo.

glenc (Glen) · #20 28-12-2009, 11:55 AM