Queensland Astrofest

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

What's the weather like? A hell of a lot warmer and dryer than NZ at that time of the year Robby. A bit fresh at night, but you'll be too busy to notice anyway

Set Kath up in a unit on the beach front at Mooloolaba and you'll be laughing. If its still warm enough for the Victorian holiday makers to go swimming, Kath will thing she's in a spa


Come on Gary. Robby needs someone who speaks the same language.

Clad to hear you and your son are coming Rob. Look forward to meeting you

looking forward to meeting you too bloke!

Robby no problem mate I can translate

regards

[Dennis]

Hi Astro-festers

Here is a (copy & paste) update from one of the organisers, Tony Surma-Hawes of the Brisbane Astronomical Society:

Start paste ++++++++++++++++++++
Hi everyone,

Just a reminder that the Deadline for a chance top win staying at next years Astrofest for free is about to expire. If you want to be in the draw, you must use the online registration form before midnight tomorrow night, and send your fees in as soon after that as possible. If you experience a problem with the online page (after using the facility you should receive a confirmation email within hours), please send an email with details to the registrar@qldastrofest.org.au so that you may be registered. Registering early allows the committee better plan our activities and meals, not to mention saves time for the registrar to enjoy our Astrofest with everyone.

If you miss the deadline, don't worry you won't be turned away, but we would prefer if most people are registered up to one week before the Astrofest as we need to allocate prime bedspace to early registrants. Those who show up and register late may find the only space for them is in the Common areas.

Guest of Honour at the Astrofest will be Dr Ian Wilson and he will give a lecture on Saturday entitled "Planetary Influences on Solar Cycles". Friday lectures will be delivered by Peter Reed and Zac Pujic. Details on the Program Page.

The raffle prizes are now approaching the $10000 mark: there are 4 telescopes on offer, including a PST, an 8" dob, and *
8" Meade goto, and an 8" Celestron goto, visit the Raffle Page linked to the front Page of the Queensland Astrofest website www.qldastrofest.org.au for more details.

Cheers for now
Tony
End paste ++++++++++++++++++++++

Cheers

Dennis

[Dennis]

For the "equipment challenged" people.

If you are travelling light to the Qld Astrofest cos' your 'scope won't fit into the hold on the 747, car boot, etc. don't worry as based on previous experience, there are always keen 'scope owners willing to let others look through their pride and joy. In the daytime, you can just relax and laze around, or watch Brendan go though his previous night’s ccd images hunting for super nova - he co-discovered on at the Qld Astrofest in 1997. The social scene begins to build up gradually as the week progresses and more people arrive, with Friday and Saturday being full on.

For families, there is a bunkhouse set aside for you and the little ones, who can play crazy golf on the (worn) pitch & put course behind the kitchen. Did I mention canoeing on the Brisbane River? Some folks go for local daily bush walks and Erwin runs 10km everyday just to shake out the lethargy from the previous all-nighter.

Hope to see you there!

Dennis

[Iddon]

perhaps Friday and Sat nights....

[mch62 (Mark)]

Hopefully Friday only paul but this will depend on last minute work .

Mark

[dhumpie]

Hey Guys,

I will probably be there Sat and in time for the draw Have convinced another friend to come along (he is driving). So Rob it finally looks like I will get to meet you in the flesh!

Darren

I wanted to come but alas just found out the camp doesnt allow dogs for this event (apparently it does for other functions? Odd considering this is billed as a family event) and as I wanted it to be a family affair and bring my wife and daughter (leaves no one at home for dog, daughter says kennels out of question) then I will just have to read about it on the forum I guess. (

[dhumpie]

My buddy is thinking of bringing his non astronomer wife. I think that is bad news Last time she came with us on an astrocamp she kept on telling him to go to sleep

Darren

Originally Posted by dhumpie

Hey Guys,

I will probably be there Sat and in time for the draw Have convinced another friend to come along (he is driving). So Rob it finally looks like I will get to meet you in the flesh!

Darren

My car is away at present getting fixed, Still dont know what's up with it. I hope nothing tooo major. It will be great to finially meet you too Darren. I'm thinking I might just head straight up there for Thursday night. That will give us three nights up there. Just depends on the car status at present.

Regards

[dhumpie]

Will you be putting up at Andrew's If so let me know and I might come up and meet you (on Thursday I mean). Can't take the day off or I would have gone Fri and Sat nights. Too many things have happened this year Anyway I have registered for Sat night (and the astrofest as well). Will also have my second hand 4"f/5 ST by then as well....

Darren

[iceman (Mike)]

I'm trying to get some stickers organised befoer the event but i'm running out of time.. will let you know and send some up to Paul and h0ughy and whoever else if I get them in time.
In the meantime, don't forget the pamphlets and word of mouth!

[dhumpie]

Will do Mike. I think we are very well represented at the Astrofest this year

Darren

[EddieT (Eddie)]

Hi all,
I'll be there for entire 7 days again this year. My filter wheel is going on vacation to Santa Barbara tomorrow. Hope it gets back in time!

It's always good to catch up with people you haven't seen for 51 weeks

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

I should be going for Friday and Saturday. Warned hubby ages ago about it, but he has probably forgotten. Lucky for me it's only a short drive to Duckadang. ( can you say it and not smile? ) I look forward to seeing you all there.
Jeanette

[jjjnettie (Jeanette)]

Nightshift, What sort of dog do you have? Maybe accomodation could be arranged for him at my place, then you could at least have it nearby.

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Good onya jjjnettie.

We definately need those new style sticker Mike. Looks like IceInSpacer will have a dominant presence there. Oh and send me some pamphlets too Mike.

[astro_south (Andrew)]

We probably need to organise a set time and place (when there are no other orgainsed activities) on one of the days most people will be there for all the IceInSpacers to get together for a "meet and greet - put faces to names" and perhaps a group photo

I will suggest sometime pre-lunch on Saturday - but having never been there before I wouldn't know where we could meet up. I have seen a dome observatory in photos, so perhaps that would do.

Obviously not compulsary - but what do you all think?

Darren,

Originally Posted by dhumpie

Will you be putting up at Andrew's If so let me know and I might come up and meet you (on Thursday I mean). Can't take the day off or I would have gone Fri and Sat nights.....

Darren

I decided I wanted to spend another night up there. So will be heading straight up there Thursday morning.

Andrew,

Sounds like a plan!!


Jeanette, hey stranger! will good to meet you too!

regards

Eddie,

Originally Posted by EddieT

It's always good to catch up with people you haven't seen for 51 weeks

And where I live, I'd be lucky to see 51 people a year. Except when we make a trip to town lol

regards