Queensland Astrofest 2009 - Page 13

Astrorish (Rishi) · #**241** 29-08-2009, 11:44 PM

Hi Ron, I don't think it was you, I couldn't see anyone's face in the dark but I *think* the gentleman with the big dob was called Kevin. Shame really as I would have liked to have met more of you. Also I should say thanks to Bob who showed us in and our parking spot though we arrived late.

astroron (Ron) · #**242** 29-08-2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Astrorish

Hi Ron, I don't think it was you, I couldn't see anyone's face in the dark but I *think* the gentleman with the big dob was called Kevin. Shame really as I would have liked to have more of you. Also I should say thanks to Bob who showed us in and our parking spot though we arrived late.

Yes Kevin has the same design scope as I do, and is always happy to show people the wonder of the night sky.
Cheers

firstlight (Tony) · #**243** 30-08-2009, 09:23 PM

Tomorrow night (Monday) we are having our wash-up/debrief meeting of the Queensland Astrofest committee. I am interested in any feedback, positive and negative, that anyone who attended might have.

If you have any suggestions that need to be addressed by the committee and you don't want to broadcast it around the forum, please PM me, but any suggestions you do post to this thread might generate further contributions.

h0ughy (David) · #**244** 30-08-2009, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firstlight

Tomorrow night (Monday) we are having our wash-up/debrief meeting of the Queensland Astrofest committee. I am interested in any feedback, positive and negative, that anyone who attended might have.

If you have any suggestions that need to be addressed by the committee and you don't want to broadcast it around the forum, please PM me, but any suggestions you do post to this thread might generate further contributions.

well the most obvious one to me was the kids running amok near the allnighters bunkhouse before 9am, they were in and out of the toilets, slamming the door. I know they were only playing, and i was a kid once, but now i am a cranky old astroimager longing for a bit of sleep

. generally they were well behaved but there were a few occasions of mayhem.

the power being pulled on three occations while i was imaging, i was not a happy boy. the power i came off was from the cottege you were in

, someone stepped on the power cable while it was near the phone (twice) third time was setup during the day - someone had pulled the power lead to put on their own powerboard and didnt bother to renonnect me........

i am sure there are other things

but i know that cant be fixed in a hurry (how many imagers does it take to overload an electrical grid?)

I was disappointed that i couldnt enter my images for the photo comp on the 1st saturday, but now understanding the new rules i will play fair for next year

the flag pole needs to be fixed - could not raise peterM's flag

Why was it so hot......

frost and icei never did see

firstlight (Tony) · #**245** 30-08-2009, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

well the most obvious one to me was the kids running amok near the allnighters bunkhouse before 9am, they were in and out of the toilets, slamming the door. I know they were only playing, and i was a kid once, but now i am a cranky old astroimager longing for a bit of sleep

. generally they were well behaved but there were a few occasions of mayhem.

the power being pulled on three occations while i was imaging, i was not a happy boy. the power i came off was from the cottege you were in

, someone stepped on the power cable while it was near the phone (twice) third time was setup during the day - someone had pulled the power lead to put on their own powerboard and didnt bother to renonnect me........

i am sure there are other things

but i know that cant be fixed in a hurry (how many imagers does it take to overload an electrical grid?)

I was disappointed that i couldnt enter my images for the photo comp on the 1st saturday, but now understanding the new rules i will play fair for next year

the flag pole needs to be fixed - could not raise peterM's flag

Why was it so hot......

frost and icei never did see

Hmmm... a few issues there. I am also a cranky astronomer, and I made sure that our kids were nailed down until after 10:00 am (means that I never saw the inside of my eyelids past 7:30 - 8:00

), but I take the point that there shouldn't be kids running amok before then. We will be discussing this.

Power cables and reticulation are a continual improvement and a solution will be found for that area at least. At least there were no mass blackouts this year.

I don't want to be picky about the photo competition, but you might want to review this thread Mr Moderator and note the times and frequency that the calls for photos were posted

. We tried to flag the change and let everyone know to send in their images... the more the merrier.

Was the flag pole to be adjusted to hoist Peters flag or Peter himself?

Davros (Lauren) · #**246** 31-08-2009, 05:18 AM

All I could sugest would be power to the camping areas for daytime recharging, kettles etc. Could live without it but it would be a nice touch.

h0ughy (David) · #**247** 31-08-2009, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firstlight

Hmmm... a few issues there. I am also a cranky astronomer, and I made sure that our kids were nailed down until after 10:00 am (means that I never saw the inside of my eyelids past 7:30 - 8:00

), but I take the point that there shouldn't be kids running amok before then. We will be discussing this.

Power cables and reticulation are a continual improvement and a solution will be found for that area at least. At least there were no mass blackouts this year.

I don't want to be picky about the photo competition, but you might want to review this thread Mr Moderator and note the times and frequency that the calls for photos were posted

. We tried to flag the change and let everyone know to send in their images... the more the merrier.

Was the flag pole to be adjusted to hoist Peters flag or Peter himself?

the issue with the photos - i wasnt going to post them, especially since i was going to be there on the friday when it all started. But thats life as we know it Jim.........

thunderchildobs · #**248** 31-08-2009, 12:40 PM

There were still some very bright led headlamps flashing around.
There is no need to light up the ground or telescopes from 10m away.
Though, I must admit the problem wasn't as bad later in the week.

There were also a couple bright unshield computer screens. "Red / Night" program settings are still to bright to be used in the field. The screens still needs to have a red filter over them.

I would like to suggest the following, place a sign on the pathway near the flag pole. "If you can read this sign, your torch is to bright".

To be fair about the comments I made about smoking from 2007, I had no problems this year. Didn't see or smell smokers ignoring the no smoking on the observing field rule.

Did hear a couple comments about trying to get into the dinning hall for a coffee or supplies when the presentations were on. The people wanted access to the urn / eskies but didn't want to interrupt the talk.

Keep Tony away from the loud speaker

Brendan

thunderchildobs · #**249** 31-08-2009, 12:43 PM

Print out the prize list and have a couple of copies on each table at the astrofest.

Brendan

firstlight (Tony) · #**250** 31-08-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderchildobs

Print out the prize list and have a couple of copies on each table at the astrofest.

Brendan

Did you mean Astro-Feast Brendan?

We had a problem this year (as in every year), the prize list was not finalised until during the camp... some sponsors needed 6 months + to come to a decission on what to donate

... good suggestion, though.

firstlight (Tony) · #**251** 31-08-2009, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thunderchildobs

To be fair about the comments I made about smoking from 2007, I had no problems this year. Didn't see or smell smokers ignoring the no smoking on the observing field rule.

Brendan

I did notice the smell of smoke on occasion and I am not sure what to do about infringements.

One of the best things about the Asrofest is the Queensland lifestyle and attitude. While white light and uncovered computer screens are not acceptable (as is the flouting of the smoking rule), the thought of Storm Troopers descending on offenders is distasteful

, especially as it will fall on the organisers to to do this. We are there to enjoy the event with everyone else , and don't want to be labeled fascists.

What sort of penalties can we impose that is acceptable for those who attend (decapitation is not concidered at this stage)? Suggestions gratefully accepted.

firstlight (Tony) · #**252** 31-08-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

You got my vote too Tony.

I voted for your Crux Jeanette, I seriously didn't think I had a chance against your image(s).

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #**253** 31-08-2009, 03:07 PM

It's the peoples choice and they chose your picture Tony.
A deserved win.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #**254** 31-08-2009, 03:23 PM

Tony, I spoke to Anne-Louise one afternoon about the possibility of an new competition. Maybe it could be brought up at tonight's meeting or at future planning meetings.

The idea was to have a processing competition. If an unprocessed image image was made available a period (3 months? ) before Astrofest for downloading from the Astrofest site, competitors could then process the image, print it out and submit it for selection by peoples choice as the best rendition of that object. Similar to the current setup for selecting submitted images. It would need to be a fairly small image to make download sizes manageable.

An alternative is to make the image available at the start of Astrofest (both at the site and online), competitors process the image during the week and then submit all versions on the last Saturday for showing at the astrofeast via data projector during the feast. People could then submit their vote on the night. Having it available online would allow those that are only coming for the final few days the opportunity to partake for the full week.

I'm more in favour of the first idea as data projectors are notorious for being poorly colour calibrated. And the amount of light in the dinning room would tend to wash out the images anyway.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #**255** 31-08-2009, 03:50 PM

I think that's a great idea.
Everyone could get into this. You don't need an expensive imaging rig to join in the fun.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #**256** 31-08-2009, 03:53 PM

Notch up another one to me.

firstlight (Tony) · #**257** 31-08-2009, 03:55 PM

I think the idea has merit, Paul. I would think that a 2 meg file is not too big to download and still have a fair bit of detail to process, or even double the size? That's not too big is it? Contain enough info to process? Voting at the last minute is fraught with problems, some of them being counting the vote, trying to enjoy our dinner, present the awards, run the raffle, not spontaneously combust

.

The images will have to be sent to the committee before the camp comences so we can put them up and have everyone at camp see them at some time, same as the astrophoto comp.

I've got it on my list (will need another display board to cart up though

)

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #**258** 31-08-2009, 04:02 PM

Leave the board at my place and I'll bring it up Tony. No problems.

Davros (Lauren) · #**259** 31-08-2009, 04:04 PM

As far as torches go i dont know how you can strike a balance. There were some bright lights getting around but on the other hand i had a couple of long exposures wasted due to people walking into the tripod.

firstlight (Tony) · #**260** 31-08-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

Leave the board at my place and I'll bring it up Tony. No problems.

Just have to acquire one

.