March StarParty at Wiruna?

iceman (Mike) · #1 24-01-2005, 10:45 AM

Hey guys.

I'm hoping to go to the ASNSW star party at Wiruna this year..

Does anyone have any details about it?

Is anyone else going or planning to go?

Dave47tuc (David) · #2 24-01-2005, 11:11 AM

Would love to go

But as normal work always buggers me up if we are busy

Mike you could have a Ice star party in winter

Best.

Striker (Tony) · #3 24-01-2005, 01:17 PM

Hmmmmmmmmmm

Bit far.....but I might be tempted

http://www.asnsw.com/wiruna/

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #4 24-01-2005, 01:36 PM

I went last year and plan to go this year as well,

also hope to take the family along

11, 12 and 13 March at Wiruna near Ilford on the road to Sofala

silvinator · #5 24-01-2005, 04:58 PM

Unfortunately Ice, I'm afraid I'm going to be very busy during March. March and July are our busiest times of the year so if anyone is thinking of having a star party during those times, you can count me out

Hey Dave, I think an iceinspace star party would be very fitting for a winter theme

By the way, do you have to be a memeber of ASNSW to attend?

Robby · #6 24-01-2005, 06:05 PM

Hmmm... I could be tempted for the SPSP in March. Got some airpoints that need to be used up!
I guess from NZ I would fly to Sydney. Then what? How far is it to Wiruna? I guess I'd need to hire a car or scrounge a lift....
Whadaya reckon? Is it worth the trip?

Striker (Tony) · #7 24-01-2005, 06:30 PM

I see...everyone is busy in March cause it's my Birthday.....I understand now...they need to shop.....just to make it easier for you all....I want:

1) Aluminium protective case like Aragorn's for my LX200 10"
2) Any Nagler eyepieces....must be 2" but will accept any focal length (I'm not fussy)
3) Guide Plate for my LX200 mount
4) 2 x powermate 2" Barlow
5) New toucam once gary has built it.....
6) Dew Shield
7) Counter weight for my Meade
8) Nealy forgot....a laptop.

Just figure it out for yourselves.....I dont mind some of you pairing up as a couple of these may be a bit expensive (only Just) but dont be stingy on the card...I like a good card.....

iceman (Mike) · #8 24-01-2005, 08:08 PM

Robby from all accounts, it's worth it.. 200-400 people, guest speakers, lectures and what not. and dark, dark, dark skies.

I'm happy to give you a lift, you can catch a train from sydney airport to where it's closest for me, either where I work (nth sydney) or where I live (central coast), and we can go from there.

It would be great going with some familiar names too.. Rodstar, the other central coastie, is hoping to attend too.

Shame you can't make it silvie.. there must be some other sydneyites that might attend?

Robby · #9 24-01-2005, 08:13 PM

Mike,
Thanks for the offer of a lift.. That would be great.
I probably won't bring any gear over except perhaps the bino's.
I had a look at flights and I can get into Sydney 8am Friday morning and leave again Monday morning. I have a couple of mates in Sydney so may look at doing an extra day either side to catch up with them.
I sort a few things out and let you know! I'm sure it would be a good weekend.

iceman (Mike) · #10 24-01-2005, 08:17 PM

Sounds great robby, just let us know.

Rodstar (Rod) · #11 24-01-2005, 09:24 PM

Hey guys I'll definitely be in it too, so long as "She Who Must be Obeyed" gives me special dispensation NOT to wipe nappies for a weekend! Robby, you would be most welcome to play with my scope, and I assume you'll bring your Dob, Mike?

Winter star party would be great too!

Rodstar

Rodstar (Rod) · #12 24-01-2005, 09:42 PM

Oh, and by the way Robby, Happy Birthday!

Rodstar

Rodstar (Rod) · #13 25-01-2005, 09:34 PM

More to report on the ASNSW weekend at Wiruna NSW in March....

I visited the Bintel shop in York Street Sydney today and chatted with one of the staff, Don. A great bloke, passionate about astronomy, Don also happens to have been an organiser of this annual event for 11 out of the last 13/14 years!!! He told me all about it, and I am definitely coming!!

They usually expect a couple of hundred at least. (Don says it is not unheard of to get more than 10 times that many at equivalent meetings in the US that he goes to). Is camping on site only. You can book a motel room at Kandos (30kms away) but after viewing most of the night, who wants to jump in a car and drive 30kms when you can just crash where you are?

Theme this year is "Astrophotography". There are special workshops with gurus in this field. They will be running competitions for the best images, so bring your best efforts along.

You do NOT have to be a member of ASNSW to come. In fact, there is a get together at Wiruna on the first weekend of new moon each lunar month (the property is owned by ASNSW) which is open to visitors to come to share in the fun. So, if you can't make it in March, but would like to get out there some other time, you can, in the company of other astronomy enthusiasts.

Don made some rather bold statements about the nobility of amateur astronomers. He said in all of the years that the weekends have run, not a single thing has ever been stolen from anyone (not even a Nagler eyepiece!). At the end of a night's viewing it apparently expected that people just through a tarp with an occy strap over their scopes, and head for nigh nighs (but you take your Nagler eyepieces with you to bed!?).

Are you motivated to go? If you want to know more, visit the ASNSW website, or give Don a call at Bintel.

Rodstar

Robby · #14 26-01-2005, 07:04 AM

With a theme like Astrophotography, I'm definately there!
Rodstar, thanks for the brief & offer of a bit of time at your EP. That would be great!
Ice, I have checked flights and it all looks do-able.
When would we likely leave & return?
I'm thinking of catching up with a mate of sunday or monday night, so will probably book a flight back on Monday or Tuesday morning depending on timings etc..
I'll get to Sydney at 8am Fri morning, so I'll have plenty of time to find my way to your pad by train as you suggested.

Whadaya reckon? A go-er?

iceman (Mike) · #15 26-01-2005, 07:49 AM

I'm there, let's do this!

I'll be taking my 10" dob too, so between Rod and I, you'll have plenty of EP time Robby.. just remember to bring your naglers or other suitably expensive EP's for me to look through

Robby I'm expecting we'll head out some time on Friday and come back some time on Sunday (before lunch). That'll give you time to catch up with friends on Sunday arvo/night and Monday as well if you want.

Anyone else who can get to Sydney is also welcome to join in the fun, with my 10" dob i'm not sure how many i'll be able to fit in the car, but I expect Rod will be driving as well unless we can fit my dob and his C11 in the one car.

Let's go as the IceInSpace contingent!

iceman (Mike) · #16 26-01-2005, 07:50 AM

Oh and Rod, did you mention IceInSpace to Don?

Robby · #17 26-01-2005, 08:00 AM

Sounds good Mike.

I'll book my flights and let you know the details.

I have a couple of nice EP's that I can bring. A Nagler 16mm which would do nice in your Dob and a 1rpd 32mm which may be a bit long for your f/ratio. I pretty much use the 16mm nagler 85% of the time anyway. You'll like it!

Robby · #18 27-01-2005, 11:42 AM

I've booked my flights... No backing out now!
Hopefully a few here can make it. It will be good to put a few faces to the names!

'ing for

Cheers

Striker (Tony) · #19 27-01-2005, 02:38 PM

Robby....didn't you hear...its been cancelled.

Only jokes mate...enjoy your stay....

Rodstar (Rod) · #20 27-01-2005, 09:49 PM

Great to hear you are coming Robby!

Mike, I did mention IceinSpace to Don and he has heard of us, but knew nothing specific about the chatroom or website. You'll have to print out some flyers to hand out, or glow in the dark IceinSpace special issue fridge magnets, or something....

Rodstar