Snake Valley Astro Camp Nov 2006 - Page 3

iceman (Mike) · #41 08-09-2006, 06:57 PM

I agree, any starparty is a great learning experience, and a great socialising experience.

Even though 3 nights were clouded out last year, we still had a great time socialising and enjoying each others company.

Snake Valley is a great place and Ken will make everyone feel very welcome.

gaa_ian (Ian) · #42 08-09-2006, 10:22 PM

You Bet they are Mike !
We are having our GAA Astrocamp 2006 in 2 weeks time up here (22nd & 23rd).
Heading further out bush where the skies are darker !
IIS members are welcome to come along

, just in case someone is "passing through"

janoskiss (Steve H) · #43 09-09-2006, 12:09 AM

I remember just one all-cloudy night last year but I also remember some of the best skies ever at Snake Valley. And best seeing ever, truely exceptional! Last year for Mars opposition, and again this year for Jupiter opposition: steady with astonishing detail at 300x!

Both times, the fantastic seeing came very late in the night around 3-4am. First the heavy dew hits, but you are given plenty of warning to arrange for protection of your optics by Bird's mobile forecast station, and then about 1/2 hour later, the atomsphere becomes as still as space and high power images through your scope transform from fuzzy smears to incredible wealth of detail. Seeing exceptional seeing is amazing! Truely an

experience.

bird (Anthony Wesley) · #44 10-09-2006, 12:19 AM

Looking at the ephemeris for mid November I'm going to be trying mainly for saturn, should be nice and high just before dawn, around 40 degrees altitude.

Not a lot else happening in the way of planets otherwise, maybe I'll get to do some DSO hunting in the early evenings :-)

Not sure which mirror I'll be bringing, the 13.1" is still off being re-worked by Mark, and the Royce 14.5" hasn't arrived yet so I'm currently "between scopes". I should have them both by the end of this month. I'll probably bring the 13.1", but I might bring the 14.5" as well (They both fit in the same tube and have the same focal length so they can be interchanged).

cheers, Bird

davidpretorius · #45 10-09-2006, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bird

maybe I'll get to do some DSO hunting in the early evenings :-)

no eyepieces for you young man!!!

danielsun · #46 10-09-2006, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by janoskiss

I remember just one all-cloudy night last year but I also remember some of the best skies ever at Snake Valley. And best seeing ever, truely exceptional! Last year for Mars opposition, and again this year for Jupiter opposition: steady with astonishing detail at 300x!

Both times, the fantastic seeing came very late in the night around 3-4am. First the heavy dew hits, but you are given plenty of warning to arrange for protection of your optics by Bird's mobile forecast station, and then about 1/2 hour later, the atomsphere becomes as still as space and high power images through your scope transform from fuzzy smears to incredible wealth of detail. Seeing exceptional seeing is amazing! Truely an

experience.

Steve, i'll never forget that morning at about 4.30am just after packing up my scope the dew cleared and looking through your 8" dob we seen the best views and clearest detail on jupiter i had ever seen ever!!!

mick pinner · #47 10-09-2006, 11:14 AM

l could only make the 1 night last year and so true to form that night was cloudy however, to anyone that has not been before the observing is only part of the experience.
the experience and knowledge of the other amateurs and their willingness to teach and advise is invaluable, take advantage you will be glad you did.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #48 13-09-2006, 07:18 PM

Thank you to Dave, Mike, Steve, Daniel & Mick for your words of praise about the location and friendliness of the Snake Valley Camp.

Your words are certainly encouragement to keep the Camp going for many more years!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #49 13-09-2006, 07:33 PM

UPDATE

The Saturday Night Banquet has been arranged!

It will be the same delicious gorging feast we had last year:

Roast meats, Baked Potatoes, Salads, coleslaw, fresh Bread Rolls etc in massive helpings!
All freshly cooked onsite by the ladies of the CFA!
PLUS - this year: Desserts of Jelly, fruit, and custard.

Price each: Adults $12, Kids (12 & Under) $8

Last year there was so much food most people had seconds and we were still eating it for lunch the next day!!!

robin · #50 13-09-2006, 09:18 PM

Count me in Ken.At this stage, not sure for how many nights but Snake Valley is callin'.....

Tamtarn · #51 13-09-2006, 09:40 PM

YUM YUM

How and when do we pay Ken ?

Barb & David

Starkler (Geoff) · #52 13-09-2006, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

UPDATE
Last year there was so much food most people had seconds and we were still eating it for lunch the next day!!!

And even dinner the next day if i remember rightly

Excellent value

Wombat_In_Space (Darren) · #53 13-09-2006, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tamtarn

YUM YUM

How and when do we pay Ken ?

Barb & David

You can pay on the night or via bank details that you paid for the camp.

I can't wait till the camp.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #54 13-09-2006, 11:13 PM

UPDATE

Those that are booked in already

Me + 2 for 4 nights
Mick Pinner + 2 for 2 nights
wombat_in_space + 3 for 4 nights
Danielsun for 4 nights - PAID
OneOfOne + 3 for 4 nights
Dave47Tuc + 1 for 4 nights - PAID
Tamtarn (Barb & David) for 4 nights - PAID
Rumples Riot for 4 nights - PAID
Bird for 4 nights - PAID
Leon for 3 nights - PAID
Janoskiss for 4 nights
Twokids + 3 for 2 nights
33South for 4 nights
Starkler
Robin

Also attending:
Anthony Baker + 3 for 4 nights
Angus McIntosh for 4 nights
Dave Johnson for 4 nights
Cheryl & Jess

TOTAL SO FAR - 38

We still have some Bunkhouses left!

and lot's of Camping Space!

Come along and enjoy 4 nights of Dark Sky Experience!

The Saturday Night Banquet
Price each: Adults $12, Kids (12 & Under) $8

PLEASE NOTE:
YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A MEMBER OF THIS FORUM TO COME ALONG!!! OUR ASTRO CAMP IS OPEN TO ALL. NON-FORUM MEMBERS CAN EMAIL US FROM THIS LINK: Snake Valley Astronomical Association

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #55 02-10-2006, 05:04 PM

Hmmmm, the Edit button has dissappeared!!!

Add 33South (Chris) to the list above for 4 nights

mick pinner · #56 02-10-2006, 05:07 PM

Ken can you PM payment details l PM ed Wombat but no reply.

xstream (John) · #57 02-10-2006, 05:54 PM

Done!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

Hmmmm, the Edit button has dissappeared!!!

Add 33South (Chris) to the list above for 4 nights

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #58 02-10-2006, 09:34 PM

Thanks John.

leon · #59 02-10-2006, 09:39 PM

Wombat told me last Sat that he is off line, telstra are delaying his connection.....

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #60 02-10-2006, 09:44 PM

I have PM'd you Mick. Yep, Darren has no net connection yet. He moved and now he is waiting for Telstra to pull their finger out!