ICEINSPACE
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Moon Phase
CURRENT MOON
Waning Crescent 10.2%
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25-06-2012, 06:28 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Germany 54°N
Posts: 1,110
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 Astro_bot
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25-06-2012, 06:28 PM
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IIS Member #671
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Canberra
Posts: 11,159
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Belanglo is fraught with its own nasties! There's (killer) wombats there that decide to scare you stiff when no-one else is about. 
H
Quote:
Originally Posted by gary
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25-06-2012, 06:31 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Germany 54°N
Posts: 1,110
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Gary - thanks for sharing that one! 
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25-06-2012, 06:42 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,847
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Astro_Bot
Allow me to be perverse for a few moments ...
Think about this. How many of your fellow astro club members are actually sick and twisted murderers just scouting the territory? How well do you really know them? You never actually see their family there, right? (it's a cover story.) They're always cheerful and helpful, too helpful. (What are they hiding?) They drive a van or ute or station wagon. (It's easier to carry the bodies). They may even mask their evil designs by buying astro equipment. (It's just to gain your trust). And the longer you've seen them there, well you just know that shows how determined they are to get away with it ... waiting for the perfect isolated moment at that really dark site ...
We now return you to normal programming. |
OMG, you mean the IIS Astro Camp is really....is..... <faints>
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25-06-2012, 06:43 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,605
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Yes, I'm afraid it's true.
Vampires!
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25-06-2012, 07:25 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Melbourne
Posts: 123
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Actually to someone observing us who didn't know what we are actually doing, we are the weirdos in the dark.
I sometimes go down to the beach to do some imaging, just out of sight of a car park habitually frequented by drug users.
I'm waiting for the day I get noticed with the camera and the paranoia sets them off:eye pop:
That or one of the semi-regular police patrols take an interest. 
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25-06-2012, 07:41 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Box Hill North, Vic
Posts: 1,838
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Silv,
The concept of people using astro forums to find targets does sound a bit unlikely but you're right in being a bit skeptical and cautious.
I'm a guy and although there are places near me that are quiet dark for astro work, I've hesitated in going by myself and would rather go if its a society gathering or someone known.
The amount of crime that gets reported in suburbs which you'd think are safe is just shocking. But not overtly so.
Just use common sense I guess.
I saw wolf creek before I came here and didn't know what to expect, but 6 years down no paranoia, loving it.
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25-06-2012, 08:15 PM
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Member > 10year club
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Central Coast NSW
Posts: 3,339
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Hi Silv,
If its the post I am thinking of, ...
I did respond by saying a group of Astro buddies go there semi regularly.
So as to give the impression that I am not alone.
But interesting point.
And yes, even as big males get "freaked" when alone and suddenly you realise you are not (alone).
My first visit to Bretti (scouting it out) I was alone.
Beautiful darkest of dark.
Then the realisation, someone or something is there with you...
So you turn on your red light to see...
a pair a red eyes 20 meters off in front staring, motionless, fixed on you...
the air escapes your lungs in a sudden gasp...
and then you realise...
Its the horse from the paddock next door out grazing. phew.!
I think I scared him as much as he scared me.
Quote:
Originally Posted by silv
Hey All,
when I see a thread with which someone new to astronomy (and new to the IIS) asks for advice on good dark sites in brisbane/sydney/... or close to those cities in the countryside -
I get a creepy feeling they don't care at all for astronomy but have some other agenda, altogether...
When they then add some harmless info like "I'd like to show my girlfriend/daughter" and - as a real afterthought, only, also add the question which entry level equipment would be good - (but their main topic was and is that dark site you know!)
I hear huge bells ringing in my head: this is NOT what it seems.
This is how I would try to get the information of gullible astro romantics to attack them at exactly that spot they pointed out to me.
Is it just me? Have I got a split personality and am a monster myself, lurking somewhere in the dark, waiting to come out...?
Do you guys take anything for self defense with you?
(Now, this question should better not be answered... it might be, my monster only wants to know this so it can prepare against such measures!)
Seriously concerned,
Silv |
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25-06-2012, 08:21 PM
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'ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha'
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 1,017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Allan_L
Then the realisation, someone or something is there with you...
So you turn on your red light to see...
a pair a red eyes 20 meters off in front staring, motionless, fixed on you...
the air escapes your lungs in a sudden gasp...
and then you realise...
Its the horse from the paddock next door out grazing. phew.!
I think I scared him as much as he scared me.
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C'mon Allan...don't give in to the fear. MMmmm, that is the way of the dark site, it is.
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25-06-2012, 08:23 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Werribee, Australia
Posts: 1,053
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Wow, ok, but hey, there is nothing there in the dark that isn't there in the light.
Just some stars above you and yes, I forgot, your imagination!
Darren
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25-06-2012, 08:30 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Monto
Posts: 16,741
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Silv,
As another astro female, I totally understand where you are coming from.
When I first started out in the hobby I would go out to visit Astroron at his observatory at Kenilworth quite regularly. While I knew I was perfectly safe at Ron's, I was very very concerned if I broke down along the way. (there is/used to be a serial killer in the region. And yes, the police did clear Ron lolol) I've also started doing a bit of travelling interstate to attend star parties, again, travelling on my own, and I ALWAYS have something heavy and sharp handy under my drivers side seat. I always have a tin of mozzie repellent close by too.
No I don't think I'm paranoid. Just a realist. I've seen seen things, I've experienced stuff.
There is always more safety in numbers, but if you are doing this on your own, you would be downright crazy not to take your own safety into consideration.
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25-06-2012, 08:32 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,223
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25-06-2012, 08:32 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Monto
Posts: 16,741
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LOL re. Belanglo State Forest. We did post photos of that knife we found off the beaten track didn't we??
THAT freaked me out, but not as much as the wombat that sneaked up behind me that night. LOLOL
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25-06-2012, 08:35 PM
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Love the moonless nights!
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2,285
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If it is a truly "dark" site, and something goes wrong, you just walk off into the darkness and lie down on the ground and wait till morning.
No one is going to find you in the dark.
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25-06-2012, 08:38 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Monto
Posts: 16,741
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tlgerdes
If it is a truly "dark" site, and something goes wrong, you just walk off into the darkness and lie down on the ground and wait till morning.
No one is going to find you in the dark.
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Yeah, but I'm not going to let some bugger nick off with all my gear. 
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25-06-2012, 08:43 PM
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Love the moonless nights!
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2,285
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jjjnettie
Yeah, but I'm not going to let some bugger nick off with all my gear. |
No, they will stick you with a knife first, then walk off with your gear. 
Imagine not knowing Mr Sidonio and running into him in a dark paddock? That is scarier than a horse or wombat. 
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25-06-2012, 08:47 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Warrnambool
Posts: 12,800
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You have to use common sense, and if it dose not feel right on you fist visit, then you leave.
Human instinct is a great tool.
We use it constantly when we travel all over Australia and do many free camps in the outback.
You seen to know as soon as you stop if it feels safe.
We have never had a problem, and you know it is much safer to be 20 ks or so from any town, either side, not many ratbags lurk out that far, unless they intentionally drive out for trouble.
Leon 
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25-06-2012, 08:50 PM
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pro lumen
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: ballina
Posts: 3,265
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Quote:
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(there is/used to be a serial killer in the region
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say what girl ? I thought around kilcoy was the land of yowies and
mobility scooters
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25-06-2012, 09:08 PM
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Love the moonless nights!
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Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Sydney
Posts: 2,285
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jjjnettie
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I am not worried about Ron's alibi, it is yours that needs some work.
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