The IceInSpace StarParty committee have narrowed down the choices of where to hold the Star Party, in January next year (Thursday 26th - Sunday 29th January 2006).
The following posts will show the 4 locations with pictures, and the pros and cons of each.
I'm after the feedback of the people who are most likely to attend - but if you have no intention on attending but you've still got something constructive to say, by all means chip in.
Your feedback might bring up something we haven't thought of yet, so let us know what you think and whether you're likely to be attending.
Ignore cost for now - the registration fees will be worked out later. Just know that all sites are similarly priced.
The poll is multiple choice - please indicate both your preference of location, and also whether you're likely to attend
Pros
- Dark sky location
- Good facilities and amenities, including Meeting Room/Hall (for guest speakers/ cloudy/rainy nights), 4 flush toilets, 4 showers, power.
- Right on the river, good for swimming and daytime activities during summer
- Can park right next to scope and/or tent
- Public campground, can go for extra nights if you wish
- Big fields, can spread out or be separate from other (non-starparty) campers
- Lots of off-site accomodation, including Barrington's Retreat, B&B's, etc
- Day trips to Hunter Valley, etc.
- Caravan/Cottage accomodation on-site if you wish
- Right near chichester Dam
Cons
- Public campground, will have other campers there to worry about.
- Some hills will reduce horizon viewing in some directions (will also block out skyglow, though)
- Probably about 3.5-4 hours drive from Sydney
Pros
- Dark sky location
- Good facilities and amenities, including Kiosk (bread/drinks/ice), flush toilets, showers, some powered sites.
- Right on glenbawn dam, good for swimming and daytime activities during summer
- Can park right next to scope and/or tent.
- Public campground, can go for extra nights if you wish
- Great horizon to horizon viewing. Lots of open space.
- Lots of off-site accomodation in Singleton
- Day trips to Hunter Valley, etc.
- Free electric BBQ's
- Singleton council controls the site - perhaps we can arrange discounts/sponsorship with them?
Cons
- Public campground, will have other campers there to worry about. Will be busy over the Australia Day long weekend with the water sport fraternity.
- Probably about 3.5 hours drive from Sydney
- No meeting hall on-site, but one is possibly available up the road (not far)
- Only 8 powered sites now, apparently they'll have more by xmas
- Open fires permitted (by other campers)
- May have to hire a marquee if the meeting hall is too far away
Pros
- Exclusive use
- Very dark skies
- 2 farmhouses with bunkbeds
- Loads of room for camping
- Huge observing fields with good open viewing (no trees etc)
- Can park near scope/tent
- Undercover area for meetings/presentations etc
- The houses have stoves, cutlery, glasses, hotwater, showers and toilets
- Swimming hole
- Off-site caravan park at Lostock Dam, about 6km's away
Cons
- 3.5 to 4 hours from Sydney
- Windey narrow country road for the last 30-40 minutes
- 40 minute drive to the nearest town (Gresford) for supplies
- Further away from stuff for daytrips etc.
Some pics (forgive the quality, I don't know what brendan did to butcher them so badly )
It's a guide camp at Silverdale, near Warrangamba.
Pros
- 1.5 hrs from Sydney
- Big property, very clear no big trees etc.
- Has camping and bunkhouse accomodation.
- Has toilets, showers, halls, meeting places, kitchen, power, etc.
- Can leave your car where you camp/observe
- Exclusive use!
- Has loads of activities during the day, and not far from other activities (blue mountains, warragamba dam, etc)
- All similarly priced
- All have basic amenities (toilets and shower, and limited power)
- Some have extra amenities (kitchen, bunkhouses, meeting halls, etc)
- 2 of them are exclusive use (lostock and silverdale), 2 of them we'd have to share with the general public (ferndale and Lake St Clair)
The last real deciding factor is distance vs dark skies.
- 3 of them are much darker skies, 3.5 to 4 hours from Sydney
- 1 of them is only 1.5 hours from Sydney, but will get light pollution from Penrith.
Remember, it's for 3 nights. It will become an annual event, and so room to grow is important, but there's nothing stopping us from changing location in 2007 if there's a need.
Let us know your opinion and whether you're planning on coming, how far you'd be willing to travel for dark skies and whether a windey country road bothers you.
Thanks for your time, and remember it's multiple choice!
We had some other sites as potentials, including Koolang Observatory which had some good "pros", including:
- Proximity to Central Coast/Sydney/Newcastle
- Display centre/hall for public talks, etc.
- Toilets, Power
- Exclusive use (don't have to worry about other campers)
But we ruled it out for the following reasons:
1) Lack of space for observing fields. It would just be too cramped.
2) Lack of camping ground - there's ok space but it would be pretty tight and lots of ants around
3) Lack of showers - it is cost prohibitive to hire some.
4) Can't park near tent or scope (parking area is separate)
So it was ruled out, unfortunately.
But please, have a look at the pictures and pros/cons of the sites above, and reply with your feedback and use the poll so we can gauge preference and interest.
If you've got some other ideas or somethign we've forgotten, please let us know!
This seems to conflict with the other thread re a Blue Mntns venue.
Sorry for the confusion Chris, there's been several weeks of discussion about possible location in the private forum for the organising committee and posting about possible blue mountains locations was a last minute decision by me to see if there were any other alternatives to throw into the hat.
I'm still taking your suggestions into consideration and thanks for posting them, if a last minute better option comes out, then it will be chosen!
The location of the astrofest needs to be decided this week, so that's why I'm after some feedback from forum members.
So c'mon guys, please vote and/or comment! Isn't anyone wanting to come?
Hi Mike
Although I doubt that I could come.
The Scout camp (Option 3) sounds the best to me for observing.
Our recent astrocamp was 20km from town & it was disapointing to still have a light dome to contend with.
Having to share with non- astronomers will really ruin you experience I think.
IMHO
Im easily confused, thanks for clearing that up Mike.
If the BMC council gives the ok for camping and without actually seeing it the Blackheath site seems to meet all the requirements and some, except maybe the distance - out of peak hour easy 2hrs from Sydney CBD.
I reckon the trip alone is worth the effort but then Im biased.
I am sorry but my desicion was completely selfish....
silverdale is more or less down the road
while I'd be willing to travel, arranging things like time away from home... permission from the boss etc... yeah I am bad but what can ya do?
where did you come up with these sites mike?
)
