To the animals who stole my laptop - you know who you are, and I think most people at astrofest have an idea of who you are too, so watch out!), you failed to spoil my astrofest experience. I could say I don't have words for you, but actually I do; I just can't use them on this forum! It was a despicable act and even more so because you also took the two USB disks that were attached to the laptop with much of my astronomy data. I would like everything returned - even anonymously if necessary.
Chris
Absolutely flabbergasted to hear this Chris. I remember being told that an eyepiece had gone missing at Astrofest once, but otherwise it had been a pretty safe place. Hope someone has a moment of clarity.
To the animals who stole my laptop - you know who you are, and I think most people at astrofest have an idea of who you are too, so watch out!), you failed to spoil my astrofest experience. I could say I don't have words for you, but actually I do; I just can't use them on this forum! It was a despicable act and even more so because you also took the two USB disks that were attached to the laptop with much of my astronomy data. I would like everything returned - even anonymously if necessary.
Chris
Chris, I'm deeply sorry to read this !!!
I hope it's returned in full and an unrighteous act is made righteous.
i couldn't make it either this year and hope everybody had a wonderful time..
wow chris that is a low act i thought star parties were a friendly place to learn and enjoy others company!!!!!! iv'e never heard of that low act ever being done before vehicles unlocked wallets left in vehicles etc..lets hope there concious gets the better of them and it's returned..sorry to here of that chris..
I am halfway home - at grafton tonight after leaving at ariund 1:30pm today from astrofest - awesome experience - imaged right up to the cloud came in at 3.30am while i was imaging m33. All up i have well over 1.5TB of data which includes deep sky and solar imaging........I am buggered. Should arrive home tomorrow
I hope it's returned in full and an unrighteous act is made righteous.
Andrew
I was the last to see the suspect at 5.40 (my last image was 5.31am) on the morning it was nicked - the guy in the shorts and tennis socks - he was packing up a celestron 4" one arm bandit
I arrived home some time around 12pm.
What a wonderful 10 days that was. It was a pleasure catching up with old friends and meeting new ones.
I can't remember the last time I laughed so much.
I've just finished downloading the 28 songs that will be on our "Best of Fest" double album. Oh boy.....
The duet that Houghy and I made just cracks me up.
That's quite a journey you have H0ughy - get some rest and drive carefully tomorrow. it was a pleasue to meet up again.
Thanks to all for showing support regarding the laptop. You're right mozzie, star parties are friendly places and Astrofest in particular and with the obvious exception of the one rogue element at the camp this year I trust folks there completely. It is a real shame these guys came along.
Just to set the facts straight David saw the laptop in the dining room at 05:30 but we know that by 06:30 it had left the building. A couple of guys I won't name left the camp between those times (the only ones to do so) and, whilst evidence is circumstantial it is pretty compelling. So, to the people who took it, if you are reading this please examine your conscience, and find a way to return the stolen items and with that perhaps start to make amends to your reputation within the astronomical community in Queensland.
I was the last to see the suspect at 5.40 (my last image was 5.31am) on the morning it was nicked - the guy in the shorts and tennis socks - he was packing up a celestron 4" one arm bandit
hey all, got home about 8pm (12 and a half hours on the road, grr at roadworks). thanks all for making my first astrofest an amazing experience. I am so happy to of met alot of you in person and use all your combined knowledge to take me one step further in my journey of astroimaging...i seriously cant wait for next year...
1. Two BOSS's Greg Bock and Pat Pearl
2. Alan, Houghy and Nick
3. Alison
4. Alison and Grady
5. Allan
6. Allan Allan
7. Allan Allan Allan no Steve
8. Anthony and family
1. Bob Grime's scope
2 Breakfast of Champs
3. Brendan
4. Brendan doing it in style
5. Bryan and his 20" light bucket
6. Cue the theme from Top Gun
7. Houghy
8. Hough lends a hand
1. Dueling Dobs
2. Glen and Ron
3. Grady and Allan
4. Sarah Sweet with her bf and Jon
5. It's Alive!!!
6. Jon and Bryan
7. Jon and Peter discussing aperture
8. Jonathan
1. Josh
2. Josh and Peter's 30"
3. Loading Bob's Cannon
4. the lovely Anne-Louise
5. Solar viewing
6. Nick wins the raffle
7. Out of control dunny tent
8. Robin and Troy
1. Ron and the Milky way
2. The 3 R's, Robin, Rick and Ron
3. The "boys", planning the evenings shenanigans
4. The Young Ones, Josh and Grady
5. Troy's coodies. It was "Code Milky Green" for a number of Astrofestians.
6. Troy crash tackles the dunny tent and beats it into submission
7. Wes, Dave, Greg and Pat
8. Winner are Grinners in the photo comp. Our Robin is on the right and I'm afraid I don't know the other gents name.
It was great catching up with many familiar faces again, and getting great advice from many helpful people! Thanks Houghy, and many others! The icing on the cake was being one of the lucky ones at the Astrofeast - I got to take a discount voucher for Software Bisque. Hmm, what to choose?
The solar eclipse workshop was especially helpful for preparing for November and getting ideas on how to photograph it automatically. It was especially great to meet the writer of the Solar Eclipse Maestro program, Xavier Jubier. I am looking forward to using his software.
I've attached two photos, one of solar prominences taken through someone's solar telescope with my iPhone - sorry, can't remember who's scope it was. The other is of a 360 degree panorama of the imaging field. Unfortunately to get it small enough to upload, it doesn't look as pretty as the original.
Looking forward to next year. I wonder if I can get permission for a whole week?.....
Oh boy..... 
