Queensland Astrofest

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

Hi Bill. I gather you'll be there then Should I add you to the list?

so whats the count Paul! how many IISers

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

13 definates, 14 if ArgoBillnavis is coming and 2 possibles, Mark H and Nightshift.

Looks like its going to be a good turn out. Enough to start our own embassy Who's bunking and who's tenting?

Tent for me.

[Argonavis (William)]

Dennis

Many thanks. This is about the lat/long for Linville, so it is fairly close.

Originally Posted by Dennis

Hi Bill

I have the following:

-26 45’ S
+152 14’ E

IIRC I obtained these from someone's GPS on the site.

Cheers

Dennis

[Argonavis (William)]

I have booked for Friday and Saturday. I usually perfer to tent, to avoid snoorers and early morning showerers. The bunkhouses do not have closed off partitions, so noise travels.
With all the likely photon collecting power available, I will most likely not bring a telescope. There is usually lots to choose from on the field. I am advised that Peter Robbins will be bringing a 750mm (30inch) from Monday.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by [1ponders]

13 definates, 14 if ArgoBillnavis is coming and 2 possibles, Mark H and Nightshift.

Looks like its going to be a good turn out. Enough to start our own embassy Who's bunking and who's tenting?

Tent for me.

the royal suite in tent city!

My mate is coming with me, his name is Alan Meehan, I think he joined up to IIS some time back but he doesn't post that much, he is too busy reading what everyone contributes! So that is 2 definites from Newcastle will be there by the afternoon on the monday!

[astro_south (Andrew)]

Bunk house for me - signed up as an all nighter so hopefully that puts me in the quieter part of the dorms.

It's tent city for us too!

how far away is the camp area from where you get to setup your scope, anyone know?

regards

PS: Hmmmm maybe I should register and head up Tuesday or Wednesday to make sure I get a decent camping/observing spot.

[dhumpie]

I have been correcsponding with one of the organizers and this is what she says about the bunkhouses:

Hi Darren,

Yes you are in the all-nighters. It really depends on the weather on how late people stay up. Most hard core sleep in a tent. That way they can sleep all day if necessary. The only rule for noise we have is nothing before 10am and no showers before 10am in the all-nighters. There is quite a lot of room in the bunk house. Unless we get 30 more people we won't have to think about mattresses on floors. We are also giving out ear plugs for everyone. This will hopefully reduce any trouble with noise.

See you up there

Anne-Louise Surma-Hawes


Darren

[Argonavis (William)]

If anyone in this select group lives on the northside of Brisbane and is interested in helping out at a school night on 10 August, then would you please send me a msg.

many thanks

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by xrekcor

It's tent city for us too!

how far away is the camp area from where you get to setup your scope, anyone know?

regards

PS: Hmmmm maybe I should register and head up Tuesday or Wednesday to make sure I get a decent camping/observing spot.

Hi Rob

It varies, from 50 metres to 200 metres depending on where you camp. Generally, you should be able to get a decent camping spot even on Thursday based on previous experience. However, I have just returned from our BAS Club meeting and one of the organisers informed the club that they have had a record number of registrations this year so things may be different in 2005?

However, even at its busiest, with the new rule of no cars to be permanently parked on the observing paddock, there should be no problems getting a good spot.

Cheers

Dennis

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

You will have one GAA member there ... Shaun (Shaggy), he will be lugging the clubs 6" refractor down with him !

Originally Posted by Dennis

Hi Rob

It varies, from 50 metres to 200 metres depending on where you camp....

....with the new rule of no cars to be permanently parked on the observing paddock, there should be no problems getting a good spot.

Cheers

Dennis

Hmmmm I was hoping to camp a lil closer than that.

And Hmmmm no cars on the observing field eh' there goes my favourite observing table.

bummer...

[astro_south (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Dennis

However, even at its busiest, with the new rule of no cars to be permanently parked on the observing paddock, there should be no problems getting a good spot.

Thats a big shame . I had it all planned out to use the boot of my station wagon as a seat and as a table. Going to be a pain to lug all my eyepieces and gear back to the car (up to 200m away) after each night of observing - not sure I want to leave them lying around the observing field or in the bunkhouse.

Maybe we will setup in the carpark Rob

Yes I might have too! unfortunately it creates a big problem for me, I will have my 4yr son with me. I dont feel comfortable having him sleep in a tent 50-200m away by himself for various reasons. Least of all for his asthma the back seat of the car allows me to monitor that.

I might email Anne-Louise of AstroFest and see if there is an alternative.

will keep you informed, I must of missed the new rule somewhere.

regards

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by xrekcor

Hmmmm I was hoping to camp a lil closer than that.

And Hmmmm no cars on the observing field eh' there goes my favourite observing table.

bummer...

Hi Rob

Apart from maybe real estate issues, there is nothing stopping you setting up outside your tent door. Tents have tended to congregate at the edges of the main observing paddock and traditionally, people have chosen to assemble their gear and observe from the central area of the paddock, based of club social structures and specializations, e.g. ccd imaging.

The car issue arose because some people wanted to drive their cars out and as new arrivals set up, some cars became boxed in and there were a couple of close misses with running over gear as they tried to manoeuvre their way out.

The astro-fest is easy going and very laid back, with very few “restrictions” other than general site safety stuff and the standard astro-camp etiquette covering bright lights, loud music, etc.

Cheers

Dennis

[Dennis]

Originally Posted by astro_south

Thats a big shame . I had it all planned out to use the boot of my station wagon as a seat and as a table. Going to be a pain to lug all my eyepieces and gear back to the car (up to 200m away) after each night of observing - not sure I want to leave them lying around the observing field or in the bunkhouse.

Maybe we will setup in the carpark Rob

Hi Andrew

Oh dear, it seems my attempt to describe the general layout of previous astro-camps and where people have generally set up has raised some real concerns for first timers. Sorry for that guys, I can sympathise how unsettling this can be without prior knowledge of the site.

What I described was how people have set up and organised themselves on previous camps and not "how it is going to be". Apart from the "cars embedded in the observing paddock" guideline or rule mentioned at the BAS meeting last night, nothing has changed and there is an immense amount of freedom and open space to camp and observe from wherever you want, although as the week progresses this choice does reduce as new people arrive and set up.

If space permits, there is nothing preventing the scenario of pitching tent, parking vehicle adjacent tent and observing from car - it just gets more difficult to do this easily towards Friday and Saturday as the paddocks fill up.

If I have spooked anyone, please feel to PM me and I'll try to allay your fears, although as I am not on the organising committee, all I can offer are details and personal views on how previous events operated.

These are fun, easy going, laid back events with a very flexible and sympathetic organising committee.

Cheers

Dennis

Originally Posted by Dennis

Hi Rob

The astro-fest is easy going and very laid back, with very few “restrictions” other than general site safety stuff and the standard astro-camp etiquette covering bright lights, loud music, etc.

Cheers

Dennis

I have emailed Anne-Louise with my concerns, hopefully something can be worked out. Although your message sounds promising. I dont mind setting
up next to my tent as long as this isn't away from everybody else, I treat these events as 50% observing 50% socialising. If I have to setup away from everyone else there goes 50% of the fun.

I will keep you informed, If I cant have Jake safely looked after or near me so I can monitor him. Then I sorry I'm going to have to pull out which will be very upsetting as we have been so looking forward to this event.

regards

[Dennis]

Hi Rob

Excellent! Anne-Louise is a Mum so I'm sure everything will be fine. Don't forget to bring warm clothing and sleeping gear for you and your son, 'cos it can get down into negative territory even in Qld!

Cheers

Dennis

[h0ughy (David)]

does anyone have a aerial photo of the site?

Originally Posted by h0ughy

does anyone have a aerial photo of the site?

Not here but the yanks probably do try....

www.keyhole.com


Dennis, Yup I knew Anne-Louise was a mum as we had spoke about it when I asked her about taking Jake. I'm sure something can be worked out, so I have tried to appeal to her maternal side lol, had to put my "mum" cap on. I'm thinking I might come up earlier. Maybe Tuesday probably Wednesday... Hell might even go for the hole damn week if that makes things easier, I really dont want to miss this event it will be my second star party. Although I dont see myself being able to make it before Tuesday.

kindest regards


Jake and Rob, not sure who the other two are? but hey! outa here!!!