International Sidewalk Astronomy Night on April 12

OneOfOne (Trevor) · #1 24-02-2008, 11:22 AM

I just got an email from Sidewalk Astronomy to say they have set a date for the second worldwide Sidewalk Astronomy Night. It is to be held on Saturday April 12th. Probably the most well known member of this group would have to be Mr Dobson himself. I am sure many of you have heard of him? Perhaps even seen some of his sidewalk efforts....now is your chance to get involved. I was not involved in last years event because I didn't know it existed...

So have a look at:
http://www.sidewalkastronomynight.com/

and sign up! I think last year there were only two groups in Australia

starrynight (Philip) · #2 08-03-2008, 10:03 PM

Good to see the news is getting around! True, we did not have a big turn out in Australia last year -I hope its not that most amateur astronomers here don't relish contact with the general public , had a bad experience or consider setting up in a brightly lit area as too much trouble. Anyway the response around the globe was amazing and some participants returned the following week if conditions were cloudy on the night. We get a bit of radio and press coverage which is all good , but its the enthusiasm that most people have in wanting to understand more about the night sky thats most satisfying.
Hope you can set up somewhere.1st qtr moon, Mars and Saturn are on the menu.

Marie and Philip
Starry Night Planetarium
Byron Bay NSW ( thats where we will be)

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #3 09-03-2008, 12:35 AM

I very much wanted to get a local event happening for this last year but due to work cmmittments was unable to - but I happen to be off on 10 days leave this year, might see what can be organised.

Anyone else in the Sunshine Coast area intersted?? Get back to me by pm and let me know or post here.

astroron (Ron) · #4 10-03-2008, 06:54 PM

Yes me

Iwas going to ask you about it,but is slipped my mind

Ron

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #5 11-03-2008, 04:34 AM

I've pm'ed you Ron

Hopefully I'll see you soon anyway.

I've had a look to see what's in the sky that night:

Mars and a 7 day old moon sitting side by side only 2° apart in the NW sky, both setting roughly around 10:50

Orion sitting just N of W, starts setting around 10pm

Saturn in the NE-N sky sitting at a convenient altitude, transits at 8:42 pm

Crux, Omega Centauri, Carina Nebula, etc, all similarly well presented to the South, LMC also visible but SMC quite low even early in the night.

The list keeps going on.... A visual feast really!!

spacezebra (Petra) · #6 20-03-2008, 08:46 PM

Hi there

I am confident that we too can get it happening on the 12th.

Cheers

Cheers

Petra de Ruyter

Secretary - Astronomical Society of Albury - Wodonga
Secretary - Border Stargaze 2008 Committee

firstlight (Tony) · #7 22-03-2008, 11:25 PM

We've, (Brisbane Astronomical Society) been doing the public fieldnight in Brisbane for some years now. I think we kicked it off around 1996 or `97.

This event is occurring on one of our nights at Mt Coot-tha lookout. Hope the weather is good. We've got Saturn and the Moon... when does Jupiter rise? Omega is pretty washed out, but doubles like A-Crux and Rigil Kent, especially the tight A-Crux are good. The Jewel Box and the Southern Pleaides for some open clusters, M42 and eta Carinae are good nebulas, although we won't see much of eta Car, but there IS the history.

Really good selection for a range of scopes on this night; the organisers chose the date well. All we need is a brilliant comet, did anyone say they were bringing that?

Any BAS people, or for that matter, anyone else going up the mountain on the night? I'm on call, but I might be able to get a few hours.

Tony

omnivorr · #8 23-03-2008, 02:13 AM

... for the sake of doin a lil, if I can... a noob with scope and NO knowledge.. I'd be glad to offer my bit to the cause.. with some help from "the crew"...

I've a 6" Eq-1-ish, and a Dob 8" .. but no transport .. no way to "spread the word" on my own.. but, as an "off-sider" I might be semi-useful..

If I can help "make up the numbers".. I'd relish the opportunity to meet some fellows in the field.. ...my basic scopes and my basic "I" await your service.. all being well, ..and in the simplest spirit of John Dobson, and skies clear'nuff to see... I wanna share the views

CoombellKid · #9 23-03-2008, 06:59 AM

I've been thinking of doing something in little old Casino. Up here
on the north coast.

regards,CS

firstlight (Tony) · #10 03-04-2008, 11:26 PM

Tony Sampson, BAS vice President has registered our regular Public Field Night on http://www.sidewalkastronomynight.com/

Should be a good night if the weather holds. I thing omnivorr was indicating that they need a lift up the mountain... where do you live? maybe some one here or in the club can give you a lift.

Tony

omnivorr · #11 04-04-2008, 12:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firstlight

Tony Sampson, BAS vice President has registered our regular Public Field Night on http://www.sidewalkastronomynight.com/

Should be a good night if the weather holds. I thing omnivorr was indicating that they need a lift up the mountain... where do you live? maybe some one here or in the club can give you a lift.

Tony

Hi Tony, thanks for picking that up.. I'm at the other end of Greater Brissie metro from you.. Deagon.. I've been thinking of introducing the astro-hobby to a mate, who may be curious enuff to give me a lift and see what it's all about.. tho' he's a family man and may be busy on the night..

meanwhile, if any kind soul might have room, for me if not my scope,... I promise to be on my best behaviour, ..and to chip in for the petrol!!

thanks Tony

Russ

CoombellKid · #12 06-04-2008, 08:46 PM

Confirmed Glenc and I will be on Canterbury St, Casino outside Woolies and
Bi-Lo Sat 12th April. Anyone on the northern rivers is welcome to attend.
Graham "nightstalker" and Alex "xelasnave" may also be attending.

regards,CS

rat156 · #13 06-04-2008, 09:10 PM

Is the ASV doing anything? I'd be interested...

Cheers
Stuart

firstlight (Tony) · #14 07-04-2008, 11:22 PM

I only see three groups in Australia registered on the map (you can find in the link that oneofone put in the original post).

I know that Coombellkid, nightstalker, and xelasnave will do something in Casino, and spacezebra is working on stuff down Albury - Wodonga way.

starrynight, I understand that you know Paul Floyd... or at least you bought his planetarium. He told me he didn't like to see it go.

gaa_ian (Ian) · #15 08-04-2008, 09:23 AM

GAA are now "On the Map".
It should be an interesting night.
It is a very different group of people you get when doing a sidewalk night !

starrynight (Philip) · #16 09-04-2008, 10:10 PM

Only 3 days to go. Thanks to everyone who hopefully will be taking their scopes out on Saturday. We have Byron Bay, Casino and Brisbane covered up this way, but don't seem to have any posts for the other capital cities, but I am sure there will if its a fine night. If it is cloudy why not try the Sunday? Dont forget to post your report for the event,- they make interesting reading!
Links to the map of participants and for reports:-
http://www.sidewalkastronomynight.com/id20.html

GrahamL · #17 10-04-2008, 11:48 AM

Guys I'm mobile again ,but will be over sufolk on saturday evening .
where/when do you plan on setting up Phil and Marie,as I'll be pretty close to byron that evening and will try to get over ther if I can.

cheers graham

smenkhare · #18 10-04-2008, 04:22 PM

I believe SASI will be participating at cronulla.

CoombellKid · #19 10-04-2008, 06:09 PM

Hey starrynight, are you going to register on http://www.sidewalkastronomynight.com/ ?
I don't see your marker there, the more flags/figurines the merrier

regards,CS

CoombellKid · #20 10-04-2008, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smenkhare

I believe SASI will be participating at cronulla.

register on http://www.sidewalkastronomynight.com/

regards,CS