ASNSW South Pacific Star Party 14-17 May 2015

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

We ran a sketchers comp 2 yrs ago and got 2 entrants. Maybe we can try again next year.

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

I think the sketching comp needs a little more forewarning then maybe the astroimaging comp does. We can discuss it with Alex at the SPSP. I'm happy to promote it within the society.

I know it was something dear to the late Scott Mellish's heart.

[Allan]

I really like Alex's sketching workshops. It's the main reason I have begun sketching myself.

I can think of two options.

Come up with a format now, for people to use over the next year, so we can enter our sketches at the next SPSP. Have categories such as deep sky and solar system objects. Sketches must be a minimum size. Surely that would attract more than two entrants.

Alternatively, just before the next SPSP announce what ever the sketching rules are, then sketches are to be completed on Thursday and Friday to be handed in on Saturday for viewing. That may not attract as many entries as option A though.

Just my ideas to kick things off.

[The Mekon (John Briggs)]

Just received my registration information. Am familiar with it as I have been to many of the parties in the last 22 years. One thing I noticed is that it said in cold weather wood fires are available in the hall. Sorry to say that I have never seen these fires lit, no matter how cold it has been. Is there any procedure for requesting they be lit. Sometimes I just feel like a quick warm up around midnight and a fire would be great!

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

I am very excited about this year's SPSP. As Gondwana Telescopes, I will be launching a new scope model at this event! I've been asked about the chances of producing a model such as will be launched. All will be revealed in a week's time,

Allan, I am thrilled that I've inspired you to take up a pencil and paper! The workshop I'll be conducting at SPSP will be a special one. The technique I follow I learnt from Scott Mellish, which he developed at Wiruna. The Mellish Technique comes home!

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Hi Alex,

Can you canvas the appetite for a sketching comp for the 2016 SPSP in your 11am Sat workshop. I would suggest like the imaging comp, it being a peoples vote, rather than critical judgement.

Trev

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Originally Posted by The Mekon

Just received my registration information. Am familiar with it as I have been to many of the parties in the last 22 years. One thing I noticed is that it said in cold weather wood fires are available in the hall. Sorry to say that I have never seen these fires lit, no matter how cold it has been. Is there any procedure for requesting they be lit. Sometimes I just feel like a quick warm up around midnight and a fire would be great!

Hi John,

I haven't been in the main hall at the SPSP at except for the Saturday night dinner, where I know they have been lit on those occasions. I will raise it at our volunteers team meeting on Friday morning at Wiruna.

I know up at the Barry Gerdes Lodge on the imaging field, we always have the fire toasting till the wee hours of the morning . You are welcome to share it.

Trev

[killswitch (Edison)]

Will the scouts be making fresh donuts?

[stevous67 (Steve M)]

Looks like Big Dave and I are heading up from Melbourne starting Wednesday afternoon, targeting to arrive Thursday afternoon. I'm looking forward to seeing friends, apparently donuts(?!), and some vintage Port!

Now... What is the weather thinking about? or

Bye!

Steve

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Mmmm, hot donuts when the night time temp is around 0deg...

A little update on the model launch: the new scope is called 'Kulali' (pronounced 'Coo-la-lee'), an Australian aboriginal word meaning 'Sky'. This follows the tradition of naming Gondwana Telescopes instruments words of celestial context from our rich and ancient aboriginal languages.

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Originally Posted by killswitch

Will the scouts be making fresh donuts?

Yes, donuts start around 8pm and go to closing.

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Originally Posted by stevous67

Looks like Big Dave and I are heading up from Melbourne starting Wednesday afternoon, targeting to arrive Thursday afternoon. I'm looking forward to seeing friends, apparently donuts(?!), and some vintage Port!

Now... What is the weather thinking about? or

Bye!

Steve

Safe travels Steve. I'll be their just after lunch on Thursday.

[stevous67 (Steve M)]

Originally Posted by tlgerdes

Yes, donuts start around 8pm and go to closing.

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

I'll organise donut runs for the Imaging field.

Will have order form and money jar for each night.

[multiweb (Marc)]

Originally Posted by stevous67

Looks like Big Dave and I are heading up from Melbourne starting Wednesday afternoon, targeting to arrive Thursday afternoon. I'm looking forward to seeing friends, apparently donuts(?!), and some vintage Port!

Now... What is the weather thinking about? or

Bye!

Steve

Will be there Thursday about the same time. Will be goog to catch up. Forecast looks alright for the next few days leading to Sunday. Fingers crossed.

[rlow (Richard)]

hi folks

my wife and i come from Singapore and we are here for our first major star party at SPSP. This is also our first trip to Sydney. We look forward to learn from you guys at this event

richard

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Safe travels Richard,

Take it easy on the drive from Sydney, don't do it in one drive sitting. At least so stop for 30 minutes in Lithgow for cup of coffee, preferably stop more.

Come and visit the imaging field and say Hi. I get up to SG about 3-4 times a year for business.

Trev

[stevous67 (Steve M)]

Originally Posted by tlgerdes

I'll organise donut runs for the Imaging field.

Will have order form and money jar for each night.

OMG! We need this!!! Ken! The ASV needs donut runs!

Thank you!

Steve

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

Originally Posted by tlgerdes

I'll organise donut runs for the Imaging field.

Will have order form and money jar for each night.

Really? You need donut runs?

You are on in front of a screen playing solitaire while seated, and you can't get up to fetch your own donuts?

I dunno. More technology seems to just be making you soft...



Reckon it's still safe for me to visit the imaging field...

We visual girls and boys just pick up a handful of gravel and chuck it at the scope of whose turn it is...

[tlgerdes (Trevor)]

Originally Posted by mental4astro

Really? You need donut runs?

You are on in front of a screen playing solitaire while seated, and you can't get up to fetch your own donuts?

I dunno. More technology seems to just be making you soft...



Reckon it's still safe for me to visit the imaging field...

We visual girls and boys just pick up a handful of gravel and chuck it at the scope of whose turn it is...

Com'on Alex, it is 700m from his scope spot in the top corner of the AI field, where the ASV guys camp, to the scouts donut shop, across rough and rocky ground (I lost 2/3s of glass of wine on the walk last year, such a waste).

We don't mind having a procession of cars, with their headlights blaring running back and forth, but I'm sure you visual guys will get jack of it soon enough with your quest for dark adapted eyesight.

See, up on the AI field we are a community that talks and shares . Not a loosely connected rabble, like you visual guys, who throw stones at each other.