Snake Valley Astro Camp - November 2010

[Paddy (Patrick)]

I was planning to bring my beloved's vintage caravan - it's only small - will there be room? If not I could bring a tent, but was hoping to use this salubrious accommodation.

[Roobi]

lets hope that skippysky is reasonably correct for fri and sat night, little bit of cloud, but i've got my fingers crossed there will be some big patches. We've been clouded out for a week nearly now. I'm getting withdrawals.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Paddy

I was planning to bring my beloved's vintage caravan - it's only small - will there be room? If not I could bring a tent, but was hoping to use this salubrious accommodation.

Yes Patrick, bring the caravan by all means. You've seen how big the forecourt is. We'll fit everyone in with room to spare

[niko]

Well, I'm excited!!!!!Despite some hectic issues at work and ailing elderly parents I'm gunna be there!! YAY. Even the weather looks like it'll co-operate.Now if only I can get the cobwebs off all the gear I should be right! Now, how do you collimate again....? where does the the camera go...? what's polar aligning....? is it +10 or +11 hours for the synscan....? .....? .....???lolsee you all in a few days!!niko

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Chillie

Enjoy yourselves guys and girls. Now that I'm finally getting a reliable car (picking it up Thursday), I might be able to make it to Snake Valley in March.

As you can see in the third picture, I should have the room for my 12" Dob.

Cool Henry

Yep, the 12" will fit easy. See you in March.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by niko

Well, I'm excited!!!!!Despite some hectic issues at work and ailing elderly parents I'm gunna be there!! YAY. Even the weather looks like it'll co-operate.Now if only I can get the cobwebs off all the gear I should be right! Now, how do you collimate again....? where does the the camera go...? what's polar aligning....? is it +10 or +11 hours for the synscan....? .....? .....???lolsee you all in a few days!!niko

where does the the camera go...? what's polar aligning....? . . . eyepiece?

what's an eyepiece

[Paddy (Patrick)]

Thanks, Ken.

I hope to be there about 2ish on Friday and I'm happy to help out in whatever way I can with logistics etc.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by Paddy

Thanks, Ken.

I hope to be there about 2ish on Friday and I'm happy to help out in whatever way I can with logistics etc.

Thanks Patrick

[alexch (Alex)]

Ken,

I started thinking about packing and the gear list makes the cargo space in the car very limited. Not having to carry food supplies would make it a bit easier. My questions:
- will there be food catering available for the whole duration of the camp or just on Saturday;
- if yes then what meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner?

Cheers,
Alex

[mill (Martin)]

Only Saturday night Alex.
You could always get your food in Ballarat on the way in.
I do that all the time.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Yes Alex, as Martin says, we cater for the Saturday night only.

There is a General store at Linton 5 minutes away with some groceries, Fish & Chips etc. a Supermarket at Smythesdale 10 minutes away, and everything at Ballarat 20 minutes away if you want to take a trip in.

[mill (Martin)]

PS: one more day to go :2thumbs ::astro n:: rockband::help2 ::pa rty::lol2 :

[chrisp9au (Chris)]

Just wondering what mobile phone coverage is like at Snake Valley?

Actually I'm not wondering, SWMBO is demanding to know how she can 'get hold' of me!

Cheers
Chris

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Chris, there is full 100% coverage for Telstra services.
Not much to almost none for the other providers.

[cjpops (Craig)]

so Optus coverage is definitely pretty slim over there?

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally Posted by cjpops

so Optus coverage is definitely pretty slim over there?

Optus has put a small tower in Snake Valley in the last year but I'm not with Optus so I have no idea how well their tower works.
It's only a small tower, looks a bit like a windmill on a thousand farms around Oz.

Here is the site to check on Optus coverage: http://www.optus.com.au/portal/site/...0029867c0aRCRD

Looks like you might be OK.

[cjpops (Craig)]

Thanks for that. looks like 2G only for Optus in that area, better than nothing .

i'll bring my iPad and run StarMapHD, any starmap apps others recommend?

[erick (Eric)]

First pics in from the observing field at SVAA!

[Jen]

lol Eric

[Alios (ALOIS)]

Hi Ken, just joined, I'd like to book for this weekend
Name: Alois Dvornik
How many people: 2
Number of nights: 2, Saturday
Bunkhouse or camping: camping
Saturday night feast: 2