Snake Valley Astro Camp - November 2011

[Hagar (Doug)]

Originally Posted by byronpaul

Yeah Patrick ..... that was my concern, particularly given the extra width, length and height of my van.

Looks like Ken's got a solution so all good

Lets hope Ken's solution works. Mine is the same size as yours Paul. I wouldn't fancy trying to get it in between the toilet block and Mess room. I can't drive it that well.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Hagar

Lets hope Ken's solution works. Mine is the same size as yours Paul. I wouldn't fancy trying to get it in between the toilet block and Mess room. I can't drive it that well.

We'll work it out on the day. You won't need to go between the Toilet block and kitchen

[cjpops (Craig)]

I'd like to attend for one evening if its possible, really would like to learn a bit more with my LB..

With the no white light policy, will you still be able to see where you are going about with the red lights? Also is the red light bright enough to visually see the person's face?

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Once you get used to it, just using red lights is no problem, just walk slow and carefully. Also you get to know your near neighbours by voice pretty quick.
Snake Valley camps, in my experience, are far friendlier regarding the light thing than others I have been to, probably as there are a lot of imagers with lappys and stuff on the field, and it is near a road so you get headlights every now and then anyways. Plus it is a very relaxed camp.

Malcolm

[mill (Martin)]

Originally Posted by cjpops

I'd like to attend for one evening if its possible, really would like to learn a bit more with my LB..

With the no white light policy, will you still be able to see where you are going about with the red lights? Also is the red light bright enough to visually see the person's face?

Once you are dark adapted it is pk and with red light you see everything.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by cjpops

I'd like to attend for one evening if its possible, really would like to learn a bit more with my LB..

With the no white light policy, will you still be able to see where you are going about with the red lights? Also is the red light bright enough to visually see the person's face?

You'll be OK.

Do you want to book in and throw up a tent for one night or are you just visiting with your scope and leaving that night?

You will learn more by staying over and talking with folks the next day

But entirely up to you as I don't know how you are for time.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

A 4 bed Bunkhouse has now become available for booking.

Due to a Medical operation there has been an emergency cacellation of one bunkhouse.
We wish Margaret all the best with her surgery.

If you would like to book the Bunkhouse. please book in here.

[cjpops (Craig)]

Yeah, would like to either pop by for a few hours or stay the evening.. Not sure yet - gotta get approval from my other half lol

[cventer]

Couple of questions from a Snake valley newbie

1. Is there power on site for powering scopes ? If not are quiet Generators ok ?

2. Is there a designated astro photography area ? I am assuming laptop shrouds are a must and that these are setup somewhere facing outwards away from main observing field ?

3. Are there public fridges available to store food ?

EDIT: i think I answered some of these by going to first post and visiting the snake valley website.

[alistairsam]

hi Ken,

any chance of having short/casual astronomy talks by some of the experienced observers attending snake valley?

I'm sure one of us can bring along a projector.

would be great to get some tips on visual observation techniques and image processing as well for newbies like me.

Thanks

Edit: Just noticed the 4pm presentation on meteorites by Trevor.

[mill (Martin)]

Originally Posted by cventer

Couple of questions from a Snake valley newbie

1. Is there power on site for powering scopes ? If not are quiet Generators ok ?

2. Is there a designated astro photography area ? I am assuming laptop shrouds are a must and that these are setup somewhere facing outwards away from main observing field ?


3. Are there public fridges available to store food ?


EDIT: i think I answered some of these by going to first post and visiting the snake valley website.

1: There is power on the field.
2: Most of the visual observers are beeing chased off into the lake
Just joking http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/....ilies/rofl.gif Point the lappy under a shroud towards the treeline.
3: Fridges are in the kitchen.

[Rob_K]

Just to add a bit more, it's a pretty relaxed camp with no stray-light nazis patrolling the field. The imagers always do the right thing and are considerate of the visual observers. They do tend to congregate together and they have a buzz! I normally do visual at SV and have never had any problem with the fuzzy glows or blinking red lights from the imagers, all part of the great atmosphere. Everyone just does their stuff and has a fantastic time!

Cheers -

[Jen]

yep just what Rob said
Im a bit of a confused astro chick and like a bit of both worlds i really enjoy visual and im a wannabe imager so i plonk my scope in between the two

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by alistairsam

hi Ken,
any chance of having short/casual astronomy talks by some of the experienced observers attending snake valley?

I'm sure one of us can bring along a projector.

would be great to get some tips on visual observation techniques and image processing as well for newbies like me.

Thanks

Edit: Just noticed the 4pm presentation on meteorites by Trevor.

Alistair, we are aware that most other Astro events in Oz and around the world have guest speakers and organised workshops, but we don't any more.

We did it that way for the first few years.
We have had speakers, workshops, vendors, imaging comps etc.
But the feedback we get from attendees tells us that most people at a Snake Valley Astro Camp prefer not to have them.
The Feedback tells us the attendees prefer the layback, easy going, do whatever you want approach with our Camps.
And having a world class Guitarist/singer has been popular

This time we have included Trevor's Meteorite presentation because it sounds very interesting and different, so we are hoping others will enjoy it too.

I have considered doing a talk on Video Astronomy, but I'm just not sure about it yet.

Snake Valley Astro Camp has developed its own persona over the years.
It is unlike other Astro Camps, and that has come about by listening to what the attendees want.
It is their Camp.

Hopefully it will continue to change and evolve, but not go back to just being another carbon copy of what every other Astro event is.
I'm not saying ours is better, just different.

[Jen]

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

It is their Camp.

Jen & Friends

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

and don't forget to get your SV Camp T-shirts, Windcheaters, etc in time to wear them at camp.

They aren't available at the Camp, but can be ordered HERE

Order early to make sure you get yours in time to wear it at Camp

Some examples:

[alistairsam]

Hi Ken,

Totally understand and agree with what you said, and that's one of the reasons I love the camp.
I had to ask because there are quite a few experienced observers and thought they could teach us a trick or two in finding objects and navigating the sky but I guess that's what we do while observing at night, so no issues there.
I can't identify the constellations for nuts!! but I will persevere :-)

[mishku]

Alistair, I'm still learning constellations too, so perhaps we could set up with planispheres on Friday night and get ourselves oriented? I can only ever reliably find the big (very obvious) ones

While I'm posting, would any of the more experienced folks be happy to let me take a peek through their scopes? I was hoping to have arranged a loan scope through ASV before camp, but it's looking a little unlikely... Even still, it would be great to get a chance to see through some other scopes while I'm trying to work out what will be just right for me before making the big purchase

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

Hey Mishku
Just make yourself known and most attendees will be happy to let you look through their scopes (actually we all like showing off our gear) I will have my 12" dob there on the Froday night so come over and say hello.

Malcolm

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

and i'll make sure the Club's 8" dob is there for you to use