March StarParty at Wiruna? - Page 3

iceman (Mike) · #41 01-03-2005, 08:59 AM

Robby, have you given me your flight details yet? I can't remember.

Just over a week away, and starting to think about planning the friday - what time to leave, where to pick you up from, what time we want to get there etc.

The official welcome is at 3pm on friday - not essential to go to, don't know if you guys want to go to that or not.

Rod, Robby, what time did you want to get there? Rod, do you know how to get there?

I assume we'll convoy there Rod?

Robby · #42 01-03-2005, 09:13 AM

Crickey it's coming up quick... Yes, I've been meaning to contact you about the Friday.
Flight times are below. As you can see I get into Sydney nice and early on Friday, so I'm keen to heard out to Wiruna asap after I arrive or whatever suite you best.
You mentioned a train service that runs from the airport to north sydney?? Is that the best option? Is it easy for you to meet me at a train station in north sydney / central coast?

On the Sunday night I'm catching up with a mate who lives in Sydney. He's taking the day off on Monday to show me some of the sights of Sydney. (I've never been there b4). Harbour bridge, opera house, SCG etc...

Looking forward to it. Should be great.. Have you seen any long range forecasts? Fingers crossed

Details are...
Wellington - Sydney Return
NZ 0141 Wellington - Sydney Fri 11Mar Arrives 8:20 am
NZ 0144 Sydney - Wellington Mon 14Mar Depatrs 6:15 pm

Cheers

Rodstar (Rod) · #43 04-03-2005, 08:51 PM

Hi Robby and Mike!

As I was saying today Mike, best route is via Windsor from where we are coming. Should be about 280 clicks from Gosford...about 4 hours I reckon. Best to meet Robby at Hornsby so that you guys don't double back on your tracks!

I was planning to stop in on my uncle and aunt in Hartley on the way there....they have set up a B&B that I want to check out.

Ice, if you want the comfort of following someone who "sort of" knows where they are going, happy to convoy it, subject to the Hartley thing....maybe by the time we get there you can keep going or something?????

Let me know...if you want to convoy it, we could head off together from Gosford in the morning.

BTW Robby, my aunt Vivian is a Kiwi!

Rodstar

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #44 04-03-2005, 10:29 PM

I am not sure when I can get away from work on Friday-though I had the day off something has come up and i may have to stay back for a meeting...

hope to catch up with you guys at Wiruna either Friday or Saturday

dont forget to bring your entries for the astrophotograhy comp

Robby · #45 05-03-2005, 09:56 AM

Any tips for train timetable to get to Hornsby?
Is there an online timetable where I can work out how to get from Sydney airport to Hornsby by train? Hopefully it won't be too daunting as I will have quite a heavy pack, with tents, bags etc...!!
Looking forward to it.
Cheers

Greg Bryant · #46 05-03-2005, 10:38 AM

Hi Robby,

Sydney's train timetable is on the web at
http://www.cityrail.info

For those of us (and that includes me) travelling to Wiruna from northern Sydney and the Central Coast, going through Windsor is well recommended. From where I live, near Hornsby, it's a 3.5 hour drive.

Observers this coming Friday evening will be in for an unexpected sight. A recently discovered comet, C/2005 A1 (LINEAR), has brightened at a much quicker rate than expected. It is currently about 8th magnitude, and could still be at that level by next Friday, at which time it will be within 1 degree of the globular 47 Tucanae.

Greg Bryant
Associate Editor
Australian Sky & Telescope

xstream (John) · #47 05-03-2005, 12:27 PM

Hi Guys,

The wife and I will be arriving at Wiruna on Thursday and staying till the Monday.

I hope we can catch up with some of you there.

iceman (Mike) · #48 05-03-2005, 01:00 PM

Robby, Rod sent me an email saying that he knows a new cab driver in the Sydney area, and we could make a booking with him, he could meet you at the airport and bring you straight to Hornsby.

I know the cost would be more than the train, but the convenience would also be greater. So really it's up to you. i can help you work out train timetables or book the cab for you, depending on what you decide.

Is there mobile coverage out there?

Anyone interested, PM me and i'll give you my mobile number so we can find each other out there.

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #49 05-03-2005, 01:22 PM

nope mobiles wont work unless you have CDMA

silvinator · #50 05-03-2005, 02:23 PM

is it too late to sign up for this?

iceman (Mike) · #51 05-03-2005, 02:40 PM

I think you can still get in Silvie, though you'll probably have to pay a bit more. Go to the site and sign up!

My wife has a CDMA phone (my old one), i'll take that along.

Robby · #52 05-03-2005, 03:43 PM

Hi,
CDMA is fine with me....
What would the taxi cost? What would a train cost?
I looked at the train timetable and it doesn't look too bad. One train to central, then one more out to Hornsby. A cab might be quicker, but at 9am Friday morning?????!! Might be safer to go with the train. What do you think? I agree a Taxi would be easier in terms of lugging my pack.
Mike, I'm PM you my mobile number so we can get in touch on the day.
Cheers

iceman (Mike) · #53 06-03-2005, 01:35 PM

Robby, not sure.. it would be during peak hour so a train might be the best.. the taxi might end up costing too much trying to get through the city in peak hour.

Just need to look at the timetable to see what time train you can get from the airport, to central, to hornsby, and then Rod and I can meet you at Hornsby and we can convoy from there. Rod might want to leave earlier than when you arrive at Hornsby, so we'll have to see what time you can get to Hornsby by.

Has anyone got a (detailed) map from Hornsby to Wiruna?

iceman (Mike) · #54 06-03-2005, 01:38 PM

PS: Thanks for your PM xstream, i'll give you a call when we're setup.

Rod, do you have a CDMA phone that will work out there? Would be good to setup camp in close proximity.

seeker, do you have a CDMA phone? Would be good to catch up.

iceman (Mike) · #55 06-03-2005, 01:50 PM

Quote:

dont forget to bring your entries for the astrophotograhy comp

You have to bring it printed! I didn't know that..

If they had a category for dob astrophotography i'd enter..

Robby · #56 06-03-2005, 07:16 PM

I'll do the train thing, so long as it doesn't take too long.
Theu seem to run from the airpoert every 10-15mins so should be no problem. I arrive at 8:20am, so by the time I clear customs and the rubber glove etc..

....
it will probably be around 9 before I get on a trian to central.
I'll have my phone with me so can call you with ETA in Hornsby once I leave central. Can you PM me you mobile number Mike (& Rodstar?).
Thanks heaps for helping me out guys! I probably wouldn't be coming if it wasn't for this forum and the willigness to help a poor kiwi... I guess you've gotta give us kiwi's something back after the last 5 cricket games!

Cheers

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #57 07-03-2005, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by iceman
Has anyone got a (detailed) map from Hornsby to Wiruna?

soon after Lithgow. take the Ilford road.

at Ilford turn left on to the Sofala road and then you have to turn left again after a a few ks into a dirt road for a short distance

the star party agenda that I uploaded contains instructions on how to get there I'm fairly sure..let me know if you need more detailed directions

seeker372011 (Narayan) · #58 07-03-2005, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by iceman

seeker, do you have a CDMA phone? Would be good to catch up.

No but I will come looking for you guys ...I'll PM you my regular mobile anyway

I'm staying offsite -at sofala-

I' m coming with my wife and daughter, my son cant come, he has the dreaded HSC this year and has assessments

iceman (Mike) · #59 07-03-2005, 05:50 AM

Sounds good seeker, I really need a big IceInSpace banner.

I'm jealous that you're bringing your family.. mine are just too young to come.. maybe in a couple of years time. My eldest son is almost 6, and then I have a 3.5 yr old and almost 1 yr old daughters. It would be most trying, having them out at Wiruna for 2 days..

I'm sure my son would like to come now, but 2 full days is just too long for him at this stage.

Rodstar (Rod) · #60 07-03-2005, 09:28 PM

Guys,

I've raised the idea of taking my family (wyf & three little tackers) next year...Nina is willing to talk if I hire a luxury campervan. Like you, Mike, I think the invasion of my little ones is a long way off!

I don't know what a CDMA phone is, so I guess that means I don't have one. I'll take my wife's mobile so we can communicate en route as need be, and perhaps we can stop somewhere for lunch together?!

As for the car convoy, I am happy Mike to firm up an arrangement to meet at Hornsby Station at, say, 10.15am, to give Robby plenty of time to get from the airport to Hornsby Station. I suggest we meet up on the western side of the line in the Street where the taxi rank is. There is parking on the other side of the road to where the taxis are. How does that sound? If Robby is a bit later than that, no dramas!

BTW, I am thinking of planning my viewing a little bit in anticipation of the dark skies, to maybe focus some of my time on one or particular constellations. Do you have any favourites, Robby or Mike??

Rodstar