Macquarie University Astronomy Open Night - Sat 5 April 2014

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

The Macquarie University Association for Astronomy and the Department of Physics and Astronomy are proud to present the Macquarie University Astronomy Open Night. Join us to celebrate astronomy and physics, including viewing the night sky through up to 30 telescopes operated by both Macquarie University astronomers and amateur astronomers.

http://physics.mq.edu.au/community/AFA/opennight/

I have a request from one of the A/Professors whom I know for telescopes. I'm not sure I'll be well enough to drag mine out. If there are any volunteers I can put you in contact.

[Irish stargazer (John)]

I brought my scope last year. It was good fun. Will try and attend.

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Irish stargazer

I brought my scope last year. It was good fun. Will try and attend.

I was there too, but didn't take a scope. I spent most of the evening relieving other people at their scopes so they could get a break. My high school maths teacher for the 5 years 1965-1969 was there on one of the club stands.

[mr bruess]

gotta go
might bring a grab and go scope

[Wavytone]

Probably won't need the scopes - the forecast is another soggy weekend !

[GraemeT (Graeme)]

I'll be there with my grab'n'go .... just in case.

[hobbit]

The quantum levitation is making me want to re do year 12.

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

There weren't as many people there as last time I went, but given the weather that's not surprising. I had a long chat with the guys from Northern Sydney Astronomical Society and Bintel.

Michael was amazing people demonstrating an GSO RC12 truss on an EQ8. The mount is practically silent. He was controlling it over WiFi from his iPad with Orion's Starseek app and hardware. (Starseek is licensed from Southern Stars and pretty much interchangeable with Sky Safari.) A couple of us were allowed to "steal" the connection and run the mount from our iPads or iPhones.

Oh yes. David had his multiwatt laser out of the lab and lighting up the clouds. Rather overkill for pointing out objects. Sure makes a 50mW pen look dim.

[Irish stargazer (John)]

Pity about the weather last night but there was a good turnout of people with scopes in the carpark. Plenty of people still wanted to have a look through the telescope even if it was just a fleeting view of the moon or passing clouds
I was eaten alive by mozzies-the one night I left the Aeroguard at home

[GraemeT (Graeme)]

The weather was pretty disappointing, occasional glimpses of the moon through thin cloud cover. Most of us started to pack up when light rain made its appearance.
Macquarie Physics and Astronomy Department and A/P David Coutts did a great job of organising, pity about the weather, the one thing they couldn't control!

[Screwdriverone (Chris)]

I was thinking of going when I saw the Bintel facebook post about it. I even shared it so some of my friends would see it was on, however, I couldnt make it in the end.

Is it an annual thing or on more frequently? Would be good to know and tag along to the next one.

Cheers

Chris

[mithrandir (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Screwdriverone

Is it an annual thing or on more frequently? Would be good to know and tag along to the next one.

Chris, its on at about this time most years, possibly every year.

[mr bruess]

I couldn't make it in the end.
Hey hey the clouds were grey
i would've got there at 9:40 pm.
would that have been too late?
what time did it actually close meaning people actually started to pack up their telescopes?
i would've came to look at the telescopes and also to look through them!