Victorian Iceinspace Star Party

[Smokey]

It sounds great Mick.... Can't wait.
Being a newbie to this hobby/obsession, I,m looking forward to an educational night.

Ken...... I,m waiting on you organising the trip to Mt. Arapiles that you have spoke of a few times..

[Dave47tuc (David)]

If weather is clear, I hope to be up that way just after lunch

Should be good.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Craig,

According to my mate Stu (a 4WD fanatic) the Mt. Arapiles area has been over-run by Roo shooters lately!

There are several great spots and Stu said forget about all of them. When he took his family camping, they where kept awake all night by hoons and shooters. He has been camping up there for over 20 years but he won't be going back.

I will search out another good spot. Maybe 'Little Desert' or 'Big Desert'.

[Smokey]

Thats a shame Ken.
When you come up with another spot, let me know....depending on work commitments, I'll be there.

Has anyone been to the ASV dark site in Heathcote?
Maybe this could be an option for a night sometime in the future.
The facilities sound ideal.
This is taken from the ASV website.

Amenities on the site include a bunk house which sleeps about 20 people, hot and cold running water, toilets and showers. Members can also camp on-site in designated areas.
The site is constantly being upgraded. Improvements over recent years include a new site drainage system, the opening of a new road and a new observing field for photographic work.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Can anyone use it for Astronomy or ASV members only? and how much to use it? and where is Heathcote?

I am checking around for good sites in the west.

[Smokey]

Apparently its available at any time for members. I would imagine that for a fee, they would allow its use for non-members. I'm not exactly sure, but I think they charge about $10 for non-members to attend thier organised star-parties, so maybe something like that?
Heathcote would be about 1/2 hour past Bendigo for you.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

That sounds pretty good actually. I will still look around the west too. Thanks Craig.

[Dave47tuc (David)]

So who's going to be there on Saturday?

Weather permitting.

Also for those who can't be there Saturday. If we talk about one for later in the year, be nice to know who mite be at that one?

[xstream (John)]

We're not going to be able to make this one, forgot it was Mothers Day this weekend and the daughters have already mapped the day out; but you can definately count us in for the next one.

[mick pinner]

could anyone interested in the star party on Sat please let me know by PM by tomorrow night and what time arrivals may be.
melway ref in earlier post

[Smokey]

I,ll be there mid afternoon. (PM sent).
So far I think we have:

Dave (Dave47tuc)
Michael (MiG)
Mick (mick pinner)
Craig (Smokey)

Anyone else?

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Me too !

[Dave47tuc (David)]

Great that 5 of us will be there

Come on people how about a few more.

If its clear and forcast is good. Turn up for a good night.


Juipter will have Red spot showing. Also some Jupiter moon events.

Also have you seen 3C 273?

If you have not i will show you how to get there

[robin]

Yes, I've been keenly following the progress of the evening & would love to attend. I'll be in Melbourne friday nite on business but sunday,being mothers day, I have to be back in Warrnambool so a late saturday nite this weekend is out for me. Next time definetely......

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally posted by Dave47tuc
Also for those who can't be there Saturday. If we talk about one for later in the year, be nice to know who mite be at that one?

<b>I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before . . . duh! (just stupid I guess).</b>

I have been searching out a good accessible place for a star party all over the western region and all the while I forgot about my own place!!!

Around the end of October or during November all Victorian members (and other states too!) are invited to come up here to Snake Valley and stay at my place!

Very Dark, Very Peaceful.

* For those that want to make a full weekend of it, during the day we can go see the ruins of the Gold processing and mining site (circa 1850) 15 minutes away, Gold fossicking for those with Metal Detectors 5 minutes away, see Australia’s oldest GIGANTIC surviving wooden trestle rail bridge and anything else local.

* BBQ in the evenings

* Visit Historic Ballarat Observatory, meet my fellow society members and see the amazing Baker 26” EQ reflector hand-built in 1886 and the famous new ‘Federation Telescope’. http://observatory.ballarat.net/index.html

* Viewing all night on my property each night

* Bring your tent or campervan and sleep over and wake up to the peace of the country. (if you have the time, stay longer and view for a 2nd or 3rd night)

I am happy to have members stay from Friday through to Monday.

If there are enough of you wanting to stay over I will work out an itinerary to keep us all busy or just relaxing.

Every Ice In Space member will be welcome.

If there is a successful turn-up I will make it an annual event with one of those corny names like ’Great Southern IceInSpace Starwatchers Extravaganza’.

Remember, the more that come, the bigger we can make it!

<b>Please let me know your thoughts, needs, possible numbers, how many nights you could stay, suitable weekend etc etc.</b>

p.s. <i>No doubt I can count on Craig and Robin to start with!</i>

[MiG]

So what is a good time to arrive for the BBQ? I'm pretty flexible.

[Starkler (Geoff)]

Sounds great Ken

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

MiG, BBQ each night probably between 6 and 7 p.m. It is really up to you people to tell me what suits and I can set things around everyones preferences if possible.

Thought you would be interested Geoff.

[iceman (Mike)]

Ken I think Mig is referring to this weekend..

but your gathering sounds like a good one!

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

OOPS! Thanks Mike.