2007 TSP - Ice in Spacer wins prestigous award (wearing IISAC 2007 shirt)
Hi all,
Well TSP 2007 is over. Gary, Andrew and I travelled about 20,000 miles for just under 2 full nights observing. I would have liked more observing time but can't complain, after all, this is the hobby "we" chose. If you don't like dark cloudy nights, buy a set of knitting needles, don't buy a telescope. Despite the limited observing time we had a ball. We met a lot of great people, renewed a lot of old aquaintances from past trips downunda and essentially received "the red carpet treatment" from all.
We got to do things on those 2 nights of observing, that many will never do in a lifetime. I feel very privileged to have been able to attend such a great event with two people so highly respected in world astronomy circles, as Andrew and Gary. Not only great in astronomical circles, both great down to earth guys. How many people can say they spent 3 hours observing with Al Nagler, through his equipment, at his invitation? How many people get to observe the premium northern hemisphere targets through Larry Mitchell's 36" telescope, sharing the eyepiece with people like Al Nagler and Alan Dyer from Sky and Telescope? I think few.
A little bit of illness is never needed on a trip like this. I developed a sore throat/cold on the flight over, which I unfortunately managed to give to Gary. Considering we shared a room for 9 days, it was probably inevitable. I went in to the doctor at Alpine on the Monday (2nd day of TSP) with a sore throat. I came home 3 hours later with a sore throat, a sore arse (where she jabbed me) and a sore wallet, when I paid the bill.
In addition to being the keynote speaker on Wednesday evening, Andrew Murrell was presented with a very prestigous award at the "official" presentations on Friday evening. Andrew was presented with the "Observers Award" by Glenn Sanner and Bob Kepple. These are two of the most respected people in the world of amateur astronomy and the authors of the "Night Sky Observers Guide". For many years Andrew has freely given his time and the use of his equipment to "everyone". Andrew is one of the most acute, astute, respected and experienced observers in the Southern hemisphere. For many years Andrew has helped host American visitors to the Southern hemisphere and devoted 100% of his time, to their goals. In addition, anyone who has had the priviledge to observe with Andrew, knows that he always freely gives his time and shares his equipment and knowledge with astronomers of all experience levels. He tirelessly encourages beginners. This is a quality not shared by many other observers of Andrews' skill level. Anyone who has observed with Andrew at Kulnurra, at either of the IISAC astrocamps, or elsewhere would atest to this. I think at least 80% of the Australian amateur astronomy community knows of "Andrew and Hector, the 20" er".
Here is a picture of Andrew being presented with the "observers award" at 2007 TSP. Andrew didn't know he was getting this award (Gary and I did) and it was poetic justice that he chose this night to wear his "ISAAC 2007 Tee-Shirt"
Congrats Andrew, well done and very well deserved mate.
I can speak as one relatively new to our great hobby who can honestly say that Mr Murrell has shown the same knowledge and generosity of spirit towards me that is spoken of above. As a result of my first night with Hector in a small observing group that met many months ago, my ideas about observing were transformed forever. Now I have my own "Hector". Thanks to Andrew, visual observing will never be the same again. Cheers, mate!
P.S. Ausastronomer deserves some recognition, too, methinks. There are many, including me, who are indebted to John for increasing our understanding of eyepieces, mirrors, collimation, and basically anything to do with light paths. Thanks, John, for your tireless energy in contributing to education and informed discussion on such topics on this forum and others.
I can speak as one relatively new to our great hobby who can honestly say that Mr Murrell has shown the same knowledge and generosity of spirit towards me that is spoken of above. As a result of my first night with Hector in a small observing group that met many months ago, my ideas about observing were transformed forever. Now I have my own "Hector". Thanks to Andrew, visual observing will never be the same again. Cheers, mate!
P.S. Ausastronomer deserves some recognition, too, methinks. There are many, including me, who are indebted to John for increasing our understanding of eyepieces, mirrors, collimation, and basically anything to do with light paths. Thanks, John, for your tireless energy in contributing to education and informed discussion on such topics on this forum and others.
We are fortunate indeed to enjoy the collective knowledge and experience of these wonderful people, who offer their help and guidance so willingly, patiently and freely.
Congratulations Andrew and well said Rod, I agree with every word you said about Andrew and John.
My first night at Kulnura, I met John and he went out of his way to help and advise me, even to the point of moving his own scope to give me more room for mine so I could clear the tree tops.
Andrew has give me some wonderful moments at his scope and is full of information about the object at hand.
It's Monday arvo here and Gary and I have just done a tour of Chaco Canyon.
It is a wonderful place and is full of archeoastronomy to do with the position of the sun and the moon. It is also a fantastic place to visit. One of the parks rangers has donated a 25" obsession to the park and they run sky tours every second day.
I see that John has mentioned the award and I must admit I was stunned to recieve it. When they annouced that it was me my heart raced and I was barely able to stand as my legs were quite wobbley.
John has not only given the bug to Gary but also to me
THANKS JOHN
It was a pleasure to observe with so many people. If any of you get the chance to go to the TSP you will be welcomed with open arms. the people are friendly and everyone wants to lets you look through your scope. Also take lots of spending money as you will need it. John got quite a few goodies and so did I, lots of observing books.
Clear Skies
Andrew
What Andrew failed to mention was that in front of a packed auditorium
there was a special presentation and Andrew was presented the Lone
Star Award for excellence in observing.
This is a very special award that only gets given out once a year.
Andrew was nearly speechless at the honor but everyone agreed
it was well deserved. What was especially noted was not only
Andrew's observational prowess but his generosity in sharing the
views over many years.
I can tell you it was also a proud moment for John B. and I to simply
be in the audience to see Andrew honored in this way. I am sure many
fellow Aussie observers will also be proud for Andrew acting as such
an excellent ambassador for the hobby.
Well done!
Best Regards
Gary Kopff
Currently with Andrew in Canon de Chelly, Arizona
We know that many of our loyal customers and supporters will
be delighted to know that the Australian designed and manufactured
Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer was the *Grand Prize*
at the Great Texas GiveAway at the Texas Star Party. The GiveAway
has so many prizes it lasts for two nights! However, it culminated in
a lucky winner receiving an Argo Navis.
Many attendees also attended a presentation on telescope pointing
and the Argo Navis Telescope Pointing Analysis System (TPAS) given
by myself on the Tuesday. I also gave a hands-on introduction to
mount errors, firstly in the field and followed-up at Pop's Grill in
Fort Davis on the Saturday.
It was great to meet so many Argo Navis customers and to see so many
units in use. Dave Kriege delivered ten new Obsession telescopes at the
TSP, all fitted with Argo Navis systems.
Wildcard Innovations next port of call is the Riverside Telescope
Makers Conference in California this weekend.
Closest thing I have ever seen visually that looked like
an astrophotograph.
In fact, possibly the best thing I have ever seen in a telescope - period.
I have to agree with Gary on this. I almost fell off the ladder from about 14 feet in the air. I am also pretty sure some unprintable expletives came from my mouth Alan Dyer actually got a shot of me up the ladder taking my first ever look at M51, which he used in his presentation on Thursday evening. He is going to email me a copy of it and I will post it here when he does. You will get an idea of how big this scope is, when you see the picture.
Gary and Andrew are travelling North through New Mexico, Arizona, Utah and Nevada. I have detoured to North West Texas, to the 3RF Astronomy Campus at Comanche Springs near Crowell. As some of you will know, Andrew and I are Australian volunteers for 3RF, http://www.3rf.org/astronomy.htm . Some of the scopes at Comanche Springs are a 15" observatory class refractor and a 30" Obsession. I plan to do some lunar observing with the 15" refractor tonight and after the moon sets I will use the 30" Obsession on DSO's.
Gary/Andrew, sorry about passing on the bug. Not much I could do to avoid this.
Andrew, Van, Anne & myself spent a fabulous day at Canyon de Chelly
which for me fulfilled a life-time ambition to finally see this absolutely
wonderful place. The canyon itself is increadibly beautiful and spectacular
and added to it are the spectacle of the archeological ruins. The White
House ruin perched on the canyon wall is unforgettable as are the views
down into the canyon from above.
The afternoon saw amazingly cold 41F temperatures plus wind chill
at Monument Valley. With icey hands we snapped over 800 photographs
between us just today.
We plan on getting up at 4am for the sunrise and will be heading north
into Utah to Mexican Hat.
Chaco Canyon yesterday was equally fabulous and we paid a visit to
John Sefick who gave us a walk around of the observatory.
Sounds like y'all had a good time in Texas...where of course everything is bigger...and will have some fine memories and stories to tell once you get back home.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your stay in the US...I especially enjoy the SW part of the US myself...The "old" knowledge of the sky and its impact on daily life of the early Native Americans is pretty interesting stuff. Gee whiz they were keen observers.
Andrew, Van, Anne & myself spent a fabulous day at Canyon de Chelly
which for me fulfilled a life-time ambition to finally see this absolutely
wonderful place. The canyon itself is increadibly beautiful and spectacular
and added to it are the spectacle of the archeological ruins. The White
House ruin perched on the canyon wall is unforgettable as are the views
down into the canyon from above.
The afternoon saw amazingly cold 41F temperatures plus wind chill
at Monument Valley. With icey hands we snapped over 800 photographs
between us just today.
We plan on getting up at 4am for the sunrise and will be heading north
into Utah to Mexican Hat.
Chaco Canyon yesterday was equally fabulous and we paid a visit to
John Sefick who gave us a walk around of the observatory.
Best regards
Gary Kopff
Hi all,
Well I have had my share of excitement at Comanche Springs. Here is a picture of the 15" Refractor at Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus. If the scope doesn't look that big in the photograph, consider these things to get it in perspective. It is in a 10 metre dome. The observing gantry under the scope is 6 feet tall. Finally, consider that the finder scope sitting on top of the main scope, which looks like a "toy" by comparison, is a 6"/F12 refractor. It is one enormous and excellent telescope. The scope has a 4.6 metre focal length and I was using a 12mm Nagler last night to look at the Moon and Saturn at 381X for outstanding views. Unfortunately, while the scope had plenty up its sleeve at this power, I ran out of seeing when I went to the next highest power eyepiece, which was a 9mm Nagler at 508X.
Well I have had my share of excitement at Comanche Springs. Here is a picture of the 15" Refractor at Comanche Springs Astronomy Campus.
CS-John B
Ha, tricked y'all. The 15" scope wasn't the real excitement at Comanche Springs. The sequence of events I describe below were
Larry Smith the director at Comanche Springs had mentioned they had a lot of rattlesnakes around the place. I said if you see one while I am there let me know because I would like to see it and get a picture of it, with my "telephoto lens". My intention was to photograph the snake at a safe distance.
Last night I arrived at Comanche Springs about an hour before sundown to observe with the 15" refractor. Larry said to me as I got out of the car, "there is a snake under the blackberry bush which you can get a picture of". He said, "it's not a rattlesnake but a 'bull snake', but will make for a good photograph." He said, "they are not poisonous and we like them around the place because they keep the rattlesnakes away".
Larry and I then walked over to the "blackberry bush" where I proceeded to take this photograph of the little "bull snake".
To be continued after the photograph
Last edited by ausastronomer; 24-05-2007 at 07:06 AM.
Ha, tricked y'all. The 15" scope wasn't the real excitement at Comanche Springs. The sequence of events I describe below were
To be continued after the photograph
Ain't that little snake pretty
Just prior to taking that shot Larry Smith asked me if I wanted him to move it out from under the bush. I said, "no I can get a great shot from here." Keep in mind that my camera was about 1 foot from the snake when I took that photograph with the 18 - 55mm zoom lens, I had borrowed from Andrew Catsaitis (Rocket Boy). When the shutter went off, the snake which was facing away from me, struck at me (or the camera) and missed by a couple of centimetres. The snake repositioned itself after striking and missing and settled in a slightly different position. When it settled I could clearly see the end of its tail, which I could not see, before taking the shot. I said to Larry, "Larry it's got a rattle on its tail". He took a closer look and said, "oops, I am gonna need to wear my glasses when I am out here in future". The snake then took fright at us and dissappeared under the fence. I attach another shot of it slithering under the fence. Please excuse me for not taking the time or having the courtesy of focusing properly at this time for all you people back home
Of course the pretty little snake happens to be a Western Rattlesnake.
Edit: When one of the local Texans (Dink Wilson) identified the snake he called it a "Western Rattler". Not knowing much about them, I automatically assumed this to mean "Western Diamond Back Rattler". Dink later explained that this snake is not a diamond back and is one of several species that come under the family of western rattlers. He said it is what's known as a "prairie rattler" and looks almost identical to a bull or gopher snake. He said they are not common in this area and he could understand how Larry thought it was a Bull snake. He admitted that when he first saw my photograph he also thought it was a Bull Snake. When I told him it had a "rattle" he knew it was a Western Rattler or "Prairie rattler". There are several sub-species of these depending on location but they are all very similar, including Desert Massasauga and Hopi rattlesnake.
Alan Dyer actually got a shot of me up the ladder taking my first ever look at M51, which he used in his presentation on Thursday evening. He is going to email me a copy of it and I will post it here when he does. You will get an idea of how big this scope is, when you see the picture.
