And rightfully so (though I think a few major US star parties were missed in the listing!).
For amateurs wanting a star party under our brilliant southern skies, Australia and New Zealand have many on offer. And with quite a few being promoted in overseas magazines (eg. US S&T and Astronomy), they’re international star parties.
(heck, SPSP originated out of the knowledge of a dozen keynote American amateurs en route to Australia - I know as I was involved in its inception. Since its first gathering, in 1993, SPSP has had international visitors most years, and several visiting guest speakers).
Qld Astrofest originated the same year, and the Victorians have had gatherings going back around that time too. And of course, the IIS AstroCamp has grown quickly to be the 2nd largest star party in Australia.
International star parties have been alive and well in Australia and NZ for well over a decade.
They're organised by amateur astronomers for amateur astronomers. Countless volunteer hours are involved. That's why Australian Sky & Telescope strongly supports them.
And of course the BBC won't do me for breach of copyright if I say how much I enjoyed their very fine magazine, especially the southern sky charts and the cover cd chock full of goodies like the previous months Sky at Night TV programme It's available in all good newsagents now ...
Phil if you go to google maps and do a search for Linville Australia, keep following the road north to Avoca Vale, turn right (Avoca Esplanade) and the little dogleg further on the road where it crosses the Brisbane river is the Duckadang Camp.
And rightfully so (though I think a few major US star parties were missed in the listing!).
.
We (the committee) think that the editors were looking to get a good spread across the world with Star Parties and across the year. The weekend of the Astrofest is Stellafane and of course in Australia is the Border Stargaze. I'm sure that there will be many more parties on at the same time.... how big is the list going to be? A pdf of the spread is in the noticeboard on the frontpage of the website www.qldastrofest.org.au
Having said that we are stoked that we got that rating. We have contacted Sir Patrick Moore and acquired an autographed June issue (not May ) of the Sky at Night mag, this will be a door prize to an over-night registrant. We have Peter Marples to thank for contacting Sir Patrick. Peter phoned him at home and was greeted with "Confound it, who is it?"
Registration packs are folded and sealed in envelopes tonight (this morning?). We had hoped to send them Thursday, but had a few problems getting them printed.
and what were the top ten in order??????
It's available in all good newsagents now ...
![[1ponders]'s Avatar](../vbiis/customavatars/avatar45_9.gif){kind=avatar}
We have contacted Sir Patrick Moore and acquired an autographed June issue (not May 
) of the Sky at Night mag, this will be a door prize to an over-night registrant. We have Peter Marples to thank for contacting Sir Patrick. Peter phoned him at home and was greeted with "Confound it, who is it?" 
24 Days 06 Hours and 20 Min to goooooo!!!!
