The South Pacific Star Party: 13 - 15 April, 2007 - who's going?

[okiscopey (Mike)]

Thanks for the info Rod. Looks promising. Have just bought a red light for the car's interior and will disable the white ones. That should pass muster!

[h0ughy (David)]

LOL, well we have yet another Aussie Star Party with yet another Aussie Discovered Comet peaking very close to the event in dark skies................This is setting a standard, so for those going to border Stargaze and Qld astrofest be good to see if things get better for those events Celestially Speaking, although 2 weeks after BSG and QLd Astrofest we have a total lunar eclipse......

OK might not be as spectacular as Mcnaught, but man its early days

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

It'd be nice to get a group photo of actual IIS members attending, and then Photoshop-in little arrows and numbers to each face in the photo and provide a key so that we (and the rest of the IIS community) can see who was who

Good idea! I'll be there---haven't missed one for several years now.
Geoff

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by seeker372011

Now I'm really put off from camping

I go there every new moon and have never seen a funnel web. However last month we did see a 5' long, supposedly deadly snake. My wife identified it, but I forget what it was (except for being deadly).
Hope this eases your mind about funnel webs.
Geoff

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

I hope to be there on the wednesday to setup, but that is looking doubtfull with work AT the moment, so thursday may be the day for me to turn up. Also I am a bit worried about taking the losmandy for a few reasons - need to learn to use it, and powering this mount. It draws heaps from the battery and it likes 13 volts or better. batteries will only give 12 down to 10.5 and with the colder nights the bateries capacity is inhibited as well. might just be a eq6 only camp for me this year, until they get 240V power to the site and run it out ye olde drive in style, plonk and plug in to the juice and off you go. Well I suppose thats what grape juice is for......to make up for the goto, you just slew around a bit and find a target, tracking is a bit off and well and autoguider could be steering in the direction back to the tent. Is that right Mike?

There are facilities for charging batteries. I may be able to help you with the Losmandy--I'm about 6 months ahead of you on the learning curve. You may need to check with the organising committee if arriving early--the gates are locked when there is nobody there, although I expect this won't be a problem.
Geoff

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by ghsmith45

There are facilities for charging batteries. I may be able to help you with the Losmandy--I'm about 6 months ahead of you on the learning curve. You may need to check with the organising committee if arriving early--the gates are locked when there is nobody there, although I expect this won't be a problem.
Geoff

looks like a thursday morning arrival for me now. the losmandy might be an option, how successful have you been operating it on a battery? and all nighters done with it?

[Geoff45 (Geoff)]

I have a 75 amp hour battery for the GM-8 Losmandy and a Canon 350D and it lasts as long as I need it, usually till 2 or 3 am. I charge it up next day, but I've never checked how necessary this is. I run a laptop off a separate battery.
Geoff

[Glenn Dawes]

Originally Posted by iceman

I'll be there, with bells on!

Mike, I hope you're wearing more than just bells!

I'm going and taking my daughter to observe under dark skies for the first time! It should be fun.

Regards

Glenn

[xstream (John)]

Shall we use the same area of the observing field as the last couple years?

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by xstream

Shall we use the same area of the observing field as the last couple years?

I think our position was perfect last year...we had the best view of all horizons by being at the side of the observing field away from the large trees, and it is nicely placed halfway between the amenities block and the tents. I would agree we stay with the same location, John.

PS. Are you bringing the structure you used last year to protect your scope under? If so, would I be able to have a spot under there as well?? Otherwise, I am thinking I might buy something similar. I really don't want my new toy completely exposed to the elements during the day if I can help it.

[seeker372011 (Narayan)]

Originally Posted by ghsmith45

I go there every new moon and ave never seen a funnel web. However last month we did see a 5' long, supposedly deadly snake. My wife identified it, but I forget what it was (except for being deadly).
Hope this eases your mind about funnel webs.
Geoff

Now I really have the heebie jeebies. Funnel webs- ....I am thinking ..boots.... crunch .......hopefully thats it..but taipans and tiger snakes..thats a whole new David Attenborough episode

shudder

anyway missed last year but was there for the two before and hope to be there this year

[okiscopey (Mike)]

Originally Posted by Omaroo

It'd be nice to get a group photo of actual IIS members attending ...

We don't need that panoramic camera yet.

The IIS tally now appears to be 20.5 IIS-ers and 13 or more family (etc.) members, a smaller number of funnelwebs than previously reported, maybe a snake or two, and no giraffes.

[mickoking]

Man, I would love to go but its just too far, and I am but a poor student have fun at the party everyone, clear skies

[iceman (Mike)]

I think the same observing location would be a good idea.

[xstream (John)]

Originally Posted by Rodstar

I would agree we stay with the same location, John.

PS. Are you bringing the structure you used last year to protect your scope under? If so, would I be able to have a spot under there as well?? Otherwise, I am thinking I might buy something similar. I really don't want my new toy completely exposed to the elements during the day if I can help it.

Same spot it is then!

Shouldn't be a problem with the Gazebo at all. I think Petra will probably bring hers also, so between two there should be plenty of room.

[xstream (John)]

Originally Posted by iceman

I think the same observing location would be a good idea.

At least we'll all know where to congregate for observing.

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Rodstar

I think our position was perfect last year...we had the best view of all horizons by being at the side of the observing field away from the large trees, and it is nicely placed halfway between the amenities block and the tents. I would agree we stay with the same location, John.

PS. Are you bringing the structure you used last year to protect your scope under? If so, would I be able to have a spot under there as well?? Otherwise, I am thinking I might buy something similar. I really don't want my new toy completely exposed to the elements during the day if I can help it.

I have a nice big black one will be setting it up there, last years lean to lent too much!!

[stringscope (Ian)]

Originally Posted by xstream

Same spot it is then!

Shouldn't be a problem with the Gazebo at all. I think Petra will probably bring hers also, so between two there should be plenty of room.

Agreed re observing location.

All squared away. Martin and I are now confirmed arrive sometime Thursday and leaving on the Monday.

Cheers,

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by xstream

Shouldn't be a problem with the Gazebo at all. I think Petra will probably bring hers also, so between two there should be plenty of room.

Thanks John! I am most grateful. WIll see you up there on the Thursday afternoon.

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by h0ughy

I have a nice big black one will be setting it up there, last years lean to lent too much!!

Thanks too, HOughy. Xstream got in first!