Barambah Spring 2008 Reservations are OPEN! - Page 2

Tandum (Robin) · #21 21-08-2008, 11:56 PM

Are generators allowed? I have a 30meter cable but I know how annoying generators are, even 30 meters away

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #22 22-08-2008, 03:08 AM

Good question .... we had originally hoped that any imagers would be able to be battery powered at night and could recharge during the day, however after 2 camps it's starting to look like only the more "light weight" imaging outfits have been set up to run on portable power.

I had been hoping to buy one of the new (quieter?) inverter type generators to take on this camp for a trial run, suitably equipped with a home made sound shield / box structure and a very long lead so we could park it off in the treeline somewhere.

To be honest it's very hard to predict how people will react to a generator in this quite isolated (ie VERY dark and quiet) location until such time as we actually try it. I guess without a committee decision (and perhaps we need to discuss this and make some kind of decision FAST) all I can offer is that if it's a very noisy 2 stroke generator it may not be popular with the rest of the Campers, if it's a quieter and/or 4 stroke and/or sound shielded unit it may be much more welcome.

At the end of the day the entire concept of the Barambah Dark Sky Camp is about people enjoying their astro hobby as much as possible, in a place where everyone is mutually interested, very supportive and very friendly.

When we say people we mean all people hopefully, no one person or group being disadvantaged by anyone else. Everything we do in regards this camp is based purely and solely towards this goal, and while you "Can't please all of the people all of the time" so far we appear to have been able to do exactly that.

We have been trying to find a way to make the Dark Sky Camp as attractive to imagers as it is to visual observers, but the lack of mains on the observing field has been a problem, as has the fact that the visible horizon isn't as low as we'd like in almost all directions.

As mentioned previously there is an area up in camp between the buildings, known as the "chess board" because, well, because it is a big chess board!

Anyway it has 240V power available from the nearby buildings, but it isn't a large area - depending on the size of your outfit it could max out at 3-4 imagers, and the trees put even more of a cramp in your imaging field of view there than on the observing field, but anyone who wants to give it a go there is welcome to try!

I reckon if you have room, and are willing to bring the generator to try out on the grounds that if everyone else is really put off by it's noise you're willing to go along with the group mood and leave it off, then by all means please bring it along and give it a run!

Does anyone else (preferably those who will actually be attending and therefore affected by this) have any strong feelings either way towards this? Please feel free to say so either way so we know.

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #23 22-08-2008, 03:48 AM

With registrations continuing to arrive I'd like to point out that we have received our first registration from NSW - in fact I believe that the individual concerned lives near Sydney!

What a champion effort!!

Come on folks, check your calendar and get those registrations in - the 3rd Barambah Dark Sky Camp - otherwise known as the Spring '08 Camp - starts in exactly 5 weeks from today.

You don't really want to have to admit later that you missed out on the darkest skies around, do you??

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #24 22-08-2008, 08:10 AM

While it would be nice to have power on the observing field, I feel that a generator would "disturb the peace".
Also, imaging creates a lot of light. And this would cause the visual observers to "disturb the peace".
I have no problems being up on the chessboard, I can set up a shot, then stroll down the hill to visit you guys. The extra exercise would do me good.
Besides, even if I was set up down below, I'd be going up top every half hour or so to check on my boys.

drmorbius (Randall) · #25 22-08-2008, 03:15 PM

Hi all,

Just a quick note to let everyone know that we're going to have a group photo taken on Saturday (the 27th) afternoon at Barambah, so make sure you arrive in plenty of time and your hair is combed, makeup on, etc...

We'll email the photo out to everyone after the camp or if it's too big, post it on the website for you to download and print.

If anyone wants a quality print posted to them, just let us know on the day. Note there will be a small fee (still to be worked out) to cover our costs for printing and posting.

Only 5 more weeks...

Davros (Lauren) · #26 22-08-2008, 10:01 PM

I an going to try my best to get there but i am away for work from the 20 till the 29th at this stage.

:sadeyes :

Tandum (Robin) · #27 22-08-2008, 11:10 PM

Cheers Steve, Mine is an ultra cheap 2 stroke genny I picked up for about $100 a while ago for home use. We were having lots of power outages at the time. If there's power at the chess board, that'll do. I just need a final xray and the all clear from my doctor in about 3 weeks before registering, if there are any spots left that is

AlexN · #28 22-08-2008, 11:35 PM

I'd register to save yourself a spot... A bit of wishful thinking can go a long way in the healing process.

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #29 23-08-2008, 02:42 AM

Robin if you want to register now, and then (heaven forbid!) the X-ray isn't great news, don't worry you'll be ok re camp fees if the Doc says you can't come along, just let us know as soon as you know yourself.

As mentioned previously we're only interested in everyone enjoying themselves under Barambah's really dark skies as much as they can. We organise these camps and work hard making them succeed for the love of astronomy, not for any potential profit.

(Probably a good thing too

or we'd be looking lean and hungry by now.)

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #30 23-08-2008, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjjnettie

And this would cause the visual observers to "disturb the peace".

I nearly let this comment slip by me ....

Whaddya mean "Cause the visual observers to disturb the peace" Jeannette? You KNOW we're all a quiet, contemplative bunch, not prone to outbursts or excesses of any sort......

AlexN · #31 23-08-2008, 10:33 AM

You bunch would get rowdy if someone ran a 2 stroke genni for any amount of time, polluting your pristine skies with filthy blue smoke

Are we gonna have any RC whirly birds Steve? I might bring mine for day time entertainment.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #32 23-08-2008, 01:01 PM

I never thought of the air pollution problem generated by the generators.
We get enough of that from us walking chimneys.

AlexN · #33 23-08-2008, 01:30 PM

heh... Trying to give up the walking chimneyism...

drmorbius (Randall) · #34 23-08-2008, 05:35 PM

Hope everything works out for you Robin, we'd love to see you there. And Steve's right, grab your self a spot now if you'd like, we can always change it later... no worries.

You too Mick, there'll be a spot there for you even if you show up late... maybe you could call in sick... tell 'em you're seeing stars or something...

And why don't we just run that generator up there at the chessboard? Make the imagers feel more at home...

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #35 24-08-2008, 05:56 PM

Alex feel free to bring your helicopter up if you like, any additional daytime entertainment could be good fun, I don't know if I'll be bringing my tiny "Blue Flasher Helicopter of Death" along this time, but I'll see how it goes.

drmorbius (Randall) · #36 24-08-2008, 06:40 PM

You're kidding, right? Steve... you have GOT to bring the blue helicopter of death!!!!

The epic battle between the Magical Talking Portaloo and the Blue Helicopter of Death was the ultimate in astro-geek entertainment... .

Gargoyle_Steve (Steve) · #37 27-08-2008, 01:25 AM

..... thinking I may bring the Flying Saucer instead - not quite so dangerous if it attacks me, and actually flies considerably higher.

Would one of the moderators be so kind perhaps as to make this thread a sticky for the next 5-6 weeks, until after our Spring Camp is over please?

(Thanking you in advance....)

Tandum (Robin) · #38 27-08-2008, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gargoyle_Steve

Robin if you want to register now, and then (heaven forbid!) the X-ray isn't great news, don't worry you'll be ok re camp fees if the Doc says you can't come along, just let us know as soon as you know yourself.

Cheers Steve,
I'll do that this week when I pay the next round of bills on line. I'm not keen though as I paid for astrofest as well and never bothered trying to get my money back after I broke my foot.

I was told I'm the first in Australia to have my foot plated instead of having a single screw inserted after a break. Plated meaning they screwed in a plate to join the break. In the post op xrays, it looks like a roofing stap with 1/2 dozen screws through it

I sold my dual engined 10th scale monstertruck to pay for my new scope so I have no toys to bring at all

xstream (John) · #39 27-08-2008, 04:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gargoyle_Steve

Would one of the moderators be so kind perhaps as to make this thread a sticky for the next 5-6 weeks, until after our Spring Camp is over please?

(Thanking you in advance....)

Done!

drmorbius (Randall) · #40 27-08-2008, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tandum

I sold my dual engined 10th scale monstertruck to pay for my new scope so I have no toys to bring at all

Hmmm... Monster Truck vs Blue Helicopter of Death... that would've been good...