Border Stargaze Registrations are now open - Page 5

spacezebra (Petra) · #81 12-08-2007, 05:31 PM

Hi all

Well we have arrived home and we are all throughly exhausted. I will place a full report very soon. The highlight of the weekend, for me - getting to meet so many new faces and although the weather was not ideal we had a great time.

Second highlight - having David Levy on the phone to Rob McNaught.!

Cheers Petra

merlin8r · #82 12-08-2007, 09:07 PM

It was an awesome event. The planning that went into it was so obvious, the vast number of the public that attended, the hookup with David Levy, and just how many public officials turned up. In the end foiled by the one thing you couldn't plan around: The weather. Still, Friday night cleared up a bit later (after the public had left) to get some good observing done. And the first opportunity for me to use my 10" under dark winter skies.
As a vendor, well since I was going anyway, if I sold anything we were in front, and I did. Always a good opportunity for me to buy stuff from our competitors too, since walking into their shops would probably result in my bursting into flames or something.
Petra and Dave were always smiling, always there to lend a hand, even when they were in the middle of something far more important, and I want some pillows! My hat comes off to you both, and your team, for pulling off such a unique event. Make sure you do it again next year.

Clear skies (MWUHUHARHARHAR),
Shane

gaa_ian (Ian) · #83 12-08-2007, 11:55 PM

Good on you Petra, congratulations

I know how you feel, I did a full on event at the Garma festival, we were all shattered by the end, but on a real high.
http://ntstargazer.blogspot.com/

Now for the main Event, our Arnhemland Astronomy & Science on fair 25-8.
Getting bigger by the day, I am going into a promotional blitz ATM as well as the last bit of planning !
Its a vital thing to have a good committee behind you.

Starkler (Geoff) · #84 13-08-2007, 10:15 AM

I didn't get to say goodbye and thank you on Sunday morning to Petra, John, Anna and all the crew at ASAW for all their hard work to give us a marvelous and very well run event.

You all did a great job. Thank you!

h0ughy (David) · #85 13-08-2007, 10:29 AM

been away in Qld at Astrofest, we were clouded out for 1 night. So did you manage to get in any viewing?

gary · #86 13-08-2007, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

been away in Qld at Astrofest, we were clouded out for 1 night. So did you manage to get in any viewing?

Hi h0ughy,

Great to hear you got some observing in at Qld Astrofest.

On Friday night, we did indeed get some observing in.

I borrowed an 18" Obsession for the weekend which we drove down from
Sydney. I set it up on the Friday afternoon shortly after arrival, but the
cloud cover did not look promising so I pulled the cover over the scope.

I began chatting with Iceman as we watched sucker holes appear.
We happened to be standing next to another 18" Obsession that was going
unused and each time Mike commandeered it to point it at Jupiter, the sucker
hole would close. We therefore continued talking and there was no way I was
about to tempt fate and uncover the 18 I had brought down knowing that
would guarantee the cloud would never lift. I have no idea what time it
got to, maybe as late as 21:30, when Rod Berry moseyed over and asked
what we were gas-bagging about and whether we were going to do any
observing. Mike and I glanced up and indeed it had cleared. The feint had
worked. By pretending not to be interested, the Weather Gods slipped-up
and allowed an opportunity. We went and uncovered the 18 I had brought,
fired-up the Argo Navis and ServoCAT and set to it.

Mike and Rod were sans-scopes of their own, having decided to load the
family cars with family instead, but 18" of mirror is plenty to share around.
However, Rod did remind us constantly that the extra 2" afforded by a 20"
is better than 18".

The seeing was mediocre to say the least, but we did entertain three young
grateful Albury-Wodonga locals who went home happy. Mike had caught a
virus and was unfortunately feeling a little under the weather and I guess
he retired a bit past midnight. Around 00:30, John Bambury rolled-in with
Sue and Jake, also sans-scope. Rod, John and I therefore did some additional
observing together, including some nice galaxies in Indus and Recticulum.
The Dumbbell was looking very nice. I put the scope cover back on around
3:30am by which time it was eight octas cloud coverage again.

As you know, any star party where you get at least a few hours observing in
is a good star party. However, the organization, ammenity and camaraderie
at Border Stargaze made it a great star party.

Kate Salway won a Meade 10" LightBridge which undoubtedly left Mike
with a problem. Since there would be insufficient space in the family car
to fit all members of the family and the scope, I can only guess one
would have to put one of the youngsters on the train back to Sydney
with a sign around their neck and some money for a taxi ride back home
from the station. I would guess you could just get the kids to pick straws
to decide who would catch the train. However, I am sure each family
probably has their own unique way of dealing with logistical
problems such as these when they arise at star party prize draws.

Congratulations to ASAW and all concerned on a great success!

Best regards

Gary Kopff
Mt. Kuring-Gai

Rodstar (Rod) · #87 13-08-2007, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gary

Kate Salway won a Meade 10" LightBridge which undoubtedly left Mike
with a problem. Since there would be insufficient space in the family car
to fit all members of the family and the scope, I can only guess one
would have to put one of the youngsters on the train back to Sydney
with a sign around their neck and some money for a taxi ride back home
from the station. I would guess you could just get the kids to pick straws
to decide who would catch the train. However, I am sure each family
probably has their own unique way of dealing with logistical
problems such as these when they arise at star party prize draws.

Nothing so dire Gary!

The mirror (in its very large box) is sitting in my lounge room, having been entrusted to the care of the Berries while Mike and family head to the Snow for a few days. As far as I am aware, Mike was able to squeeze the second box into his station wagon without too much trouble.

gary · #88 13-08-2007, 09:39 PM

Hi Rod,

Great to hear you were able to help come to the rescue once again!

Best Regards

Gary

Rodstar (Rod) · #89 13-08-2007, 09:40 PM

Thanks to the gang at the Alb-Wod Astro Soc for all of their organisational efforts. John, Anna, David, Petra...take a bow!

A highlight for me this year was that my WHOLE family went, and that everyone had such a good time. Very cool to have one's wife to come home to after some late night observing with the boys! We were not disappointed with the accomodation, which was very comfortable (Squatter's hut).

Thanks to Gary, Mai, Mike and John for some great time spent together at the EP of the 18" Obsession. It was great to see Geoff's 15" SDM, which is a work of art and buttery smooth in its motions. I also enjoyed meeting Rob (and his 30" home-made truss dob), as well as Dave Chandler's brother and neice and nephew, whilst partaking in Pinot Noir, then some Rum and Coke (thanks Dave!).

Miles Allen must be one of the funniest people I have ever come across. His joke about Olaf had me wiping my eyes I was laughing so much. Loved the Cosmodome, too, as did the kiddies!

I enjoyed meeting Rob McNaught, and to walk away with a personally signed photo of his famous comet is very cool!

It was also great to catch up with Peter Read, and to see Sue Bambury and Jake, who tagged along for the weekend.

One little story I must tell. On the Friday night, we had a couple of loose "kangaroos" on the top paddock. By kangaroos, I mean cars with headlights, doing laps of the observing field, completely clueless as to how to get out. Had the conditions not been so windy (and therefore the seeing so poor) at that satge, there may well have been a public lynching. I am not sure how the cars got up there, and why the drivers thought it was appropriate to move their vehicles at 11.00pm, but it truly was high farce and comedy all in one.

It was surprising that so many people packed up early on Friday night, as, whilst the conditions were windy at times, there were periods of relative stability where things improved considerably. John B, Gary and I saw some good details in some lesser known NGC galaxies later in the evening and 47 Tuc was looking very nice indeed.

It was a shame that Saturday night was a washout, but some good company was still had in the hall.

My wife has remarked that it is a risky business driving 6 or 7 hours in the hope that the sky is clear. This star party is testimony to the fact that it doesn't really matter whether the sky is clear....we amateur astronomers will always find something to amuse us.

ausastronomer (John Bambury) · #90 13-08-2007, 10:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodstar

My wife has remarked that it is a risky business driving 6 or 7 hours in the hope that the sky is clear. This star party is testimony to the fact that it doesn't really matter whether the sky is clear....we amateur astronomers will always find something to amuse us.

Um Rod

7 hours drive is a minimalist effort. As you know Gary K, Andrew and I travelled over 20,000 miles to Texas to get clouded out.

Having said that, the observing to me at such events is a secondary attraction. As you know I have ready access to premium equipment, good observing buddies and dark skies. I go to "public" star parties to meet people, make new friends and be a part of the whole social scene. The TSP was the best astronomy experience of my life despite only 1.5 clear nights from 7. To me these things are about the social side of astronomy and in this respect both TSP and BSG excelled in every respect.

The Texas Star party which Gary, Andrew and I attended is probably the best run and organised Star party on the planet. So it should be considering the length of time it has been going, the huge number of vounteer workers involved, its access to the massive Prude Ranch, the number of attendees, and the budget they have. BSG in its inaugural year excelled in every respect IMO. The organisation and co-ordination of the entire event from start to finish was superb. The venue, facilities and accomodation were excellent. I think it is a tremendous event that can only grow to be a huge success in the coming years.

A job well done to all involved in the organisation of BSG.

Cheers-John B

gary · #91 14-08-2007, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

The Texas Star party which Gary, Andrew and I attended is probably the best run and organised Star party on the planet. So it should be considering the length of time it has been going, the huge number of vounteer workers involved, its access to the massive Prude Ranch, the number of attendees, and the budget they have. BSG in its inaugural year excelled in every respect IMO. The organisation and co-ordination of the entire event from start to finish was superb. The venue, facilities and accomodation were excellent. I think it is a tremendous event that can only grow to be a huge success in the coming years.

Cheers-John B

Hi John,

I'd second that.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
Mt. Kuring-Gai NSW

The Unbeliever · #92 14-08-2007, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by merlin8r

It was an awesome event. The planning that went into it was so obvious, the vast number of the public that attended, the hookup with David Levy, and just how many public officials turned up. In the end foiled by the one thing you couldn't plan around: The weather. Still, Friday night cleared up a bit later (after the public had left) to get some good observing done. And the first opportunity for me to use my 10" under dark winter skies.
As a vendor, well since I was going anyway, if I sold anything we were in front, and I did. Always a good opportunity for me to buy stuff from our competitors too, since walking into their shops would probably result in my bursting into flames or something.
Petra and Dave were always smiling, always there to lend a hand, even when they were in the middle of something far more important, and I want some pillows! My hat comes off to you both, and your team, for pulling off such a unique event. Make sure you do it again next year.

Clear skies (MWUHUHARHARHAR),
Shane

Many thanks Shane for the upport you gave us at the event, it was good for both Petra and I to catch up with you and we are ecstatic that so many people have had such a good time.

Cheers

Dave

The Unbeliever · #93 14-08-2007, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausastronomer

Um Rod

7 hours drive is a minimalist effort. As you know Gary K, Andrew and I travelled over 20,000 miles to Texas to get clouded out.

Having said that, the observing to me at such events is a secondary attraction. As you know I have ready access to premium equipment, good observing buddies and dark skies. I go to "public" star parties to meet people, make new friends and be a part of the whole social scene. The TSP was the best astronomy experience of my life despite only 1.5 clear nights from 7. To me these things are about the social side of astronomy and in this respect both TSP and BSG excelled in every respect.

The Texas Star party which Gary, Andrew and I attended is probably the best run and organised Star party on the planet. So it should be considering the length of time it has been going, the huge number of vounteer workers involved, its access to the massive Prude Ranch, the number of attendees, and the budget they have. BSG in its inaugural year excelled in every respect IMO. The organisation and co-ordination of the entire event from start to finish was superb. The venue, facilities and accomodation were excellent. I think it is a tremendous event that can only grow to be a huge success in the coming years.

A job well done to all involved in the organisation of BSG.

Cheers-John B

Hi John,
Wow what a write up, we have spent countless hours on the planning for the event and it is rewarding when you read the feedback that you and Gary Kopff have written. We have effectively put ourselves under the microscope for the next one.
Cheers

Dave