The 20th* Snake Valley Astro Camp! March 11-15 2016

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Just updating the list of names. So far we have:

Darren Quinert
Wren
Malcolm
John Glossop
Jamie Pole
Stefan Del Pra
Claude Del Pra
Dennis Busato
Tony Busato
Duncan Hamilton
Barry Coverdale
Mai Go and Luke
Nick Richardson
Shazil Shah
Aamir Mirza
Paul Byron
Steve Flemming
Alistair Samson
Orion Gruca
John Nichols
Patrick Kavanagh
John Gurkin
Jen
Drew
Paul Milvain
Paul Fitzgerald
Paul Albers
Andy Campbell
Rodd Westwood
Daniel (+2)

A few others that may be coming:
Tom Szafranski
Colin (Atmos)
Anders Hamilton
Lara Cartledge
Markus Stone (may be bringing kids x 2)

I hope I haven’t missed anyone, please let me know if I have.
I have all the cabins allocated, but I can get more in if you are able to share.

I have spoken to Steve Flemming who is bringing a spit so we should (weather and FireBans permitting) be able to do a spit roast on the Sat evening. I am going to talk to a butcher tomorrow about costs to supply meat so will be able to give you an idea of costs for that.

I was having an email exchange with Jen last night and she mentioned viewing the “Swan Hill” galaxy (NGC 3585 – the Swan Hill Postcode) and I had an idea for a (totally silly!) observing/Imaging challenge for people to observe or image their hometown NGC or IC object. I may not be where you live but where you were born, grew up, first had a romantic encounter etc. As most NGC objects with Vic postcodes will be visible at the time of the camp, may be a bit of fun… or not!!

Also, if there is anyone coming who is a newcomer and doesn’t have access to a scope, please let me know. If required I will throw my 8” scope in the car that has a fairly basic push to guidance system (no star hopping required) that you can use at the camp. It is pretty basic but it is not getting much use so I would love to have someone get some use out of it.

Clear Skies!!

Malcolm

[The_bluester (Paul)]

NGC3764 is a galaxy in Leo, might give it a crack.

[xstream (John)]

Good to hear you're coming Daniel. Looking forward to catching up after all these years

Originally Posted by danielsun

Hi all, sorry for the late reply but yes count me in with my two boys but for Friday and Saturday nights only in a bunkhouse please if still available.

Hey Jen, yeah both my boys will be coming but if not at least Ryan is a definite and is looking forward to it.

Cheers

[Greenswale (Wren)]

Is anyone able to bring a 50mm eyepiece, hopefully 2", but 1.25" will be fine? I am interested to see howone will go in in my scope.

[The_bluester (Paul)]

50mm might be a stretch Wren, but you are welcome to try my ES30mm and .63 reducer combo. That should net something roughly equivalent to 46mm and around 50X mag.

[Greenswale (Wren)]

Thanks Paul, I have ditched my reducer to remove the amount of glass in the light path. My longest fl eyepiece is 38mm, and I just want to push to 50mm, if possible.

You can have a play with my stuff if you wanna.....

And while you are doing that, I'm gonna swipe those stabilised binos!

[The_bluester (Paul)]

Well, they will be there to look though. Better buy some spare batteries.

Just wondering what the field stop of your average 50mm might be, there is a little vignetting with the 6.3 reducer and 30mm, so in an 82 degree design, around 40/42mm might be near the limit before it all fades away anyway.

[Greenswale (Wren)]

Yep. Thus the experiment.

[Jen]

Can I play with your stuff too Wren cause I'm leaving poor Johnny behind �� I need a bigger car hahaha




Woohooo not long to go now 7 more sleeps

[Greenswale (Wren)]

Jen, you are most welcome to play with my stuff. But only in the dark!

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Poor Johnny!!

Malcolm

Originally Posted by Jen

Can I play with your stuff too Wren cause I'm leaving poor Johnny behind �� I need a bigger car hahaha

Attachment 195818


Woohooo not long to go now 7 more sleeps

[Jen]

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Hi Guys
Just a quick note on something. I had a gentleman book in tonight who has` made an offer if anyone needs a lift up to SV from Melbourne on Friday, he can help His name is Kenny and he will be leaving the CDB at about 4pm Friday and coming back Sunday Afternoon.
If you need a lift I can put you in touch with him.
Kenny also asked about anyone that may be able to assist him with setting up and using his NEQ6. If anyone would like to give Kenny a hand, also let me know.

Cheers

Malcolm

[The_bluester (Paul)]

Me having an Orion branded AZEQ6, and Andy C having an NEQ6 I am sure one of us will be able to give him a hand. Not much difference in operation to the AZEQ when in EQ mode.

[Wombat_In_Space (Darren)]

Originally Posted by Jen

Can I play with your stuff too Wren cause I'm leaving poor Johnny behind �� I need a bigger car hahaha

Attachment 195818


Woohooo not long to go now 7 more sleeps

Jen I will have the 12" you can play with that too if you want. I have fixed the DSC on it.

[xstream (John)]

Edwin much prefers the touch of a female seeing he's Anna's baby so you're more than welcome Jen

Originally Posted by Jen

Attachment 195819

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Here is the latest update on attendance:

Darren Quinert
Wren
Malcolm
John Glossop
Jamie Pole (Possible +1?)
Stefan del Pra
Claude del Pra
Denis Busato
Tony Busato
Duncan Hamilton
Barry Coverdale
Paul Milvain
Mai Go
Luke
Niko
Shazil Shah
Aamir Mirza
Paul Byron
Steve Fleming
Paul Fitzgerald
Alistair Samson
Orion Gruca
John Nicholls
Paddy
John Gurkin
Jenny and Drew
Paul Albers
Andy Campbell
Kenny K
Alois
Markus +2
Rodd Westwood
Danielsun +2

We have had some bookings this weekend, so we are looking pretty good at this stage. We usually get a few bookings in the last week. Just please remember, if you have not yet booked, cabins are only available if someone is willing to share.

Updating on the Saturday night feast. As mentioned we are doing the spit roast. I am organising salads and may beloved (Fiona) will be coming up on Saturday arvo with those and maybe some other stuff!!
We are not organising a dessert at this stage (Big Dave is interstate unfortunately for this camp so no need for a pav!!) so if you need a sugar fix you may have to BYO.
At this stage we are only going to charge $10 per head which should cover the costs. We had discussed doing this as a bit of a fundraiser and donating the money to a local cause, but what we will is put out a donation bucket and if you want to make a small donation and we will get it to the local CFA. Hopefully that will help generate a bit of good will towards us in the local community!!

For the workshop, I am chucking some short extension and 6 point power boards in my already overloaded vehicle so we will have plenty of power available for laptops during the processing part of the workshop without dismantling the power on the field.

Did anyone make it up to the ASV Messier night at Heathcote last night? How did it go? I would have loved to go but had a prior commitment.

Cheers and clear skies!

Malcolm

[pfitzgerald (Paul)]

Hi Folks

Not long to go now - only four sleeps - but who's counting?

The gear is all packed and ready to go, but I am looking for some suggestions for AP targets for the weekend that are relatively easy to process using Nebulosity and Photoshop CS5. So far I only have NGC 5139 (at ISO 400 and 60" subs) and NGC 5128 and its SN on my list.

Is it too late in the season for the Rosette nebula? Are there any dark nebulae or reflection nebulae that are worth considering? The field of view I'll have is roughly 120' by 60'. I should also mention that I've already had a go at imaging NGC 2070 and NGC 3372, so am looking for something along the path less followed as a potential target.

I'll be shooting with a Canon 60Da DSLR on my trusty SW BD120ED using an Orion ST80 guide scope and PHD - so I'm hoping that I'll be able to take 5 minute subs like I was able to last time.

So with all that in mind what are you all thinking about wrt imaging this weekend? Any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Paul

[Andy01 (Andy)]

Paul, with your gear both the Seagill ic2177 & the running chicken ic 2948 are bright & do-able and will fill your frame.
I'd recommend getting sky safari or a similar planetarium app so you can pre-set your gear's fov and plan targets according to their transit times.
Hope that's helpful, see you at SV

[pfitzgerald (Paul)]

Cheers, thanks and will do Andy!

It promises to be a great weekend.

Paul