Barambah Spring 2008 Reservations are OPEN!

drmorbius (Randall) · #1 09-08-2008, 08:25 AM

Did you miss out on Astrofest?

Can't get enough astro-camps?

Then have we got a deal for you...

The Dark Sky Camp comittee is pleased to announce that the Spring Barambah Dark Sky Camp is on again

and will be held from Friday the 26th of September to Wednesday the 1st of October - that's 6 days of socialising / relaxing with like minded individuals, and 5 nights of some of the darkest skies you'll find in South East Queensland!

The camp will be held once again at the Barambah Environmental Education Centre, which is located a couple of hours NNW of Brisbane. The Barambah facility offers clean and comfortable dorm style accomodation that can house roughly 60 people and is surrounded by miles and miles of bush/grassland/forest, making for VERY dark skies at night!

More information and registration details can be found on the website :

http://www.darkskycamp.org.au/

If you have any queries post your questions here, or shoot us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can!

registrar@darkskycamp.org.au

The last two camps were a lot of fun and everyone had a great time. Remember, there are only 60 beds so it's first in, best dressed.

Looking forward to seeing you all there...

drmorbius (Randall) · #2 13-08-2008, 10:26 AM

Just to let everyone know that we've setup a news blog for the Barambah camp (it's easier to keep updated than the website).

So for the latest news and information visit the Dark Sky Camp Blog.

AlexN · #3 13-08-2008, 11:51 PM

G'day Randall,

I've registered but as yet have not paid... Reason being I've just looked at the map and had a bit of a question...

Is there 240v AC power on the observing field? Since you last saw me at Ron's my setup has grown 10 fold, and i now require power to complete a full night... my mount and dew control can run from a battery, but cameras and laptop require AC power....

Cheers mate.
Alex.

drmorbius (Randall) · #4 14-08-2008, 07:13 AM

Boy, you've well and truly gone over to the dark-side, haven't you?

There is no power in the main field as it's about a 100 metres from the camp, so you'll need either really good batteries or a generator. There has been some talk about organising a generator but it depends on the number of imagers that show up and the costs.

Alternatively, there is a large courtyard in the camp itself that has ready access to power. While the view is somewhat more limited (a few trees nearby) than the main field, I'm told by repected imagers that it would be acceptable for their trade.

Of course, the downside to being up there is that you're apart from all us cool non-imaging people down on the observing field

.

Any respected imagers want to comment on Barambah for Alex?

Xeelee (Chris) · #5 14-08-2008, 05:38 PM

It's the perfect time Randall, right in the middle of the school hols.

I think this site is great, best view of Saturn I've ever seen. I hope I can get there this time, but chances are (45%) that I will be studying during the semester break

and it also depends on "transport."

If I don't see you have a good one.

Chris

AlexN · #6 14-08-2008, 05:51 PM

chris. Depending on how much gear you have i night be able to squeeze you into my car.. Else could go halves in hiring a van or something..

Xeelee (Chris) · #7 14-08-2008, 07:59 PM

Sorry Alex. I meant my Dad taking me.

AlexN · #8 14-08-2008, 08:54 PM

well... at least i was friendly enough to offer hey..

depending on the view to the north and the east I'd be happy to setup a bit away from the observing field... besides, once its up and running, I can wander down and have a look whats going on...

Thats if all the cool non imaging people are happy to have image-nerd walking amongst them..

Dennis · #9 14-08-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexN

Thats if all the cool non imaging people are happy to have image-nerd walking amongst them..

Imagers are astronomy’s Royalty; eyeballers will welcome you with open arms and will be humbled to be graced by your presence!

:lo l:

Cheers

Dennis (ducking and running for cover – fast!).

AlexN · #10 14-08-2008, 09:02 PM

LOL

nice one!

/

**running to hide somewhere...

astroron (Ron) · #11 14-08-2008, 09:10 PM

I hope you find another "comet" soon Dennis

Ron

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #12 15-08-2008, 12:02 AM

Dennis is there any chance we'll be permitted to be humbled by you gracing us with your presence for this camp?

Since I had to cancel my attendance at Duckadang this year I didn't get to catch you at our once a year meet, it would be great to see you again.

Not only that, but we really want to get an imager of your reputation (since we haven't managed to drag Paul out there yet) to capture some amazing quality images from Barambah. It seems few people are willing to believe just how wonderfully dark it really is out there at night until they see the evidence!

(I DID see a Sky Quality Meter advertised for sale in the latest AS&T, maybe I should just buy one of those instead....)

Chris - I'll personally be very sad if you and my other old mate Spartacus can't some this time - tell him anything, just talk him into it! You guys are just the best value to spend time with and I can't imagine having our Dark Sky Camp without you!

Ron - have you worked out if you'll be able to attend this time? You were sadly missed last time, and since we haven't done any observing together for a while I hope we can make a feast of it at Barambah.

Dennis · #13 15-08-2008, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroron

I hope you find another "comet" soon Dennis

Ron

Touché! That’s a screamer Ron!

Cheers

Dennis

Dennis · #14 15-08-2008, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gargoyle_Steve

Dennis is there any chance we'll be permitted to be humbled by you gracing us with your presence for this camp?

Hi Steve

I would love to attend and as the place abounds with birds and wild life, I’m trying to talk Narelle into coming too. Hope to catch up with you guys and thanks for organising the event.

Cheers

Dennis

drmorbius (Randall) · #15 15-08-2008, 07:31 AM

Chris... you have to come!

One of the major attractions at the camp is the Amazing Talking Portaloo, the Barambah equivalent of the Tardis/phone box.

Oh, and you can bring your dad too

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #16 21-08-2008, 09:54 AM

My calendar has been rearranged and I will be able to make it to the camp.
If I can get off work on the Monday, I should make it for 4 nights, otherwise it will only be for Saturday night.
I'll be bringing along one or two children as well.

Alex, I'll keep you company on the Chess Board.

drmorbius (Randall) · #17 21-08-2008, 10:02 AM

Hey Jeanette, that's great news! .

I'll come visit you guys on the chessboard as I'm looking forward to being dazzled by your gstar expertise. Not that I'm interested in imaging or anything...

.

AlexN · #18 21-08-2008, 10:17 AM

I'm going to have to get a new car soon... getting to much stuff to fit into a sedan

drmorbius (Randall) · #19 21-08-2008, 12:06 PM

We'll keep watch for the removalist van...

AlexN · #20 21-08-2008, 12:22 PM

hah.. Might con my old man to come up for the weekend, he's got a 4wd...

I just know if I only bring my deep sky gear, the seeing will be brilliant and I'll be kicking myself that I dont have my planetary imaging gear, and vice versa if I bring only the planetary gear the seeing will go like mud and I'll want my deep space gear.. grumble grumble...

If I can get dad interested then I can bring my dob up too and do some visual work while the imaging rig is doing its thing...