And some of my field shots.. I didn't take many unfortunately.
I wish I had the camera handy on the way home when the rescue helicopter came in to land on the road, only 5 car lengths ahead of us! An amazing site, as it negotiated the trees and power lines on the way down. Just an incredible site, albeit a sad one when you know what they were there for.
1. Andrew (Rocket Boy)
2. Anna, Petra (SpaceZebra) and Anthony (from Bintel Melbourne)
3. Anthony from Bintel and his nice 12.5" truss dob
4. Chris (33South)
5. Houghy finds the right eyepiece to look through
6. Ian (stringscope)
7. The moon on Saturday night (looked fabulous through Petra's 12" lightbridge)
8. Petra (SpaceZebra) and her LightBridge
Rod wasn't the only one thinking about the undies.
I started with my hanky under my hat, draped over the ears - thought about the undies - went back to my camp for a cup of coffee and ended up cutting the end off an old towel, using it like the hanky.
Enabled me to get another 2/3 hours viewing in before quiting for the night.
By the way - did anyone hear what the new fandangled viewing meter said for saturday nite?
Last edited by GTB_an_Owl; 03-04-2006 at 03:53 PM.
Well back home now with my family who I missed so much and after a good night sleep in a warm bed, and internet access to IIS, things are getting back to normal around here.
The SPSP was a great event, well organised and good facilities.
What made it special for me was the company I was with.
As always, it's who you spend time with at these type of events.
It was great to meet John (Xstream) and his wife Anna, lovely to share time with you guys also Petra thanks for sharing your 12" LB with the 31mm Naggler, great views, I also got to meet Greg Bryant and Mike Sidonio (congrats on your imaging wins). Great to meet Ian (stringscope) congrats on your win in the telescope making comp.
A big thank you to Scott (WavelandScott) for you know what (I would have starved otherwise ) and his lovely son Campell who I always look forward to seeing.
Gary from Wildcard, great to catch up with you.
Chris (33south) always great to share your company and humour.
David (Houghy) thank you for your advice and help and for staying up to image and keep me company.
Rod always a pleasure having you around, thank you for a wonderful bottle of Henschke, a beautiful wine indeed. Congrats on winning the door prize, oh wait you weren't even in the running were you?
I'll save the other box of cigars for next time we meet.
Mike-Iceman-Drunkman congrats on your wins in the imaging comp, well done.
I wish I had a video camera the night you had that potent bottle of "grape juice", they should put a warning on the label.
Jupiter must have looked like an open cluster through the eyepiece.
If I have forgotten anyone and I'm sure I have, please forgive me.
Thanks once again everyone for a very memorable time.
I am glad everybody had a great time ,Photos's look cool ????? How many prizes did Joe Couchi win this year??? with so many brilliant astroimagers around these days I hope the prizes where shared around a bit more than in the past
Being the first SPSP I’ve attended I had a ball. It was just a pleasure to meet and make so many new friends. Had such a great time with John his wife Anna, Petra and David, Houghy and Mike, the list goes on. It was also a great pleasure to meet Glenn Dawes, Gary Kopff and Mark Sutching as well.
Like Mike I took some photos as well and will post them tonight.
Being the first SPSP I’ve attended I had a ball. It was just a pleasure to meet and make so many new friends. Had such a great time with John his wife Anna, Petra and David, Houghy and Mike, the list goes on. It was also a great pleasure to meet Glenn Dawes, Gary Kopff and Mark Sutching as well.
Like Mike I took some photos as well and will post them tonight.
Anthony
yes Anthony I will do the same. BTW did you forget your shoud? if you did them PM John and Anna
I have the images of some things, Rod in Gloves, Mike , Anna and John, Anthony and Roger, David the great Non astronomer and SpaceZebra (Petra) and many others. I have yet to unpack, I have not even viewed any images yet but will do so, saw the comet to the north, and imaged it, as with many other objects. RB, your 20da is awesome I was very impressed, should be some beautiful images of the antare's region and the orion ones (average temp from 10 degrees to when you packed up it was about 3 degrees). Seeing the comet s watchmann was a buzz, thanks John! I will post some stuff later
I had a great time. Got a couple of images which where improvements on previous attempts. It was very cold compared to the last two years I have attended. The centre of the scope field on Saturday night was standing room only. Plenty of scopes and friendly voices to talk with.
Like many I too had an enjoyable time and Campbell was "over the moon"...
I was not prepared well enough for the temperatures that is for sure...good thing I carry around an exra layer of "thinsulate"!
I appreaciate everyone's kindness to Cam and me...he was wandering all over the place talking to all kinds of interesting people...
To my two adopted "family" members...I'm glad the hot food did you some good...having said that, neither of you are as attractive as the real Heather and Thomas...but you are both a bit friendlier...
All in all a good "first SPSP" for the Mitchell clan...I now know better how to prepare for the next one.
One thing I forgot to mention is that Saturday night was very very clear.
It was also the end of daylight saving early on Sunday morning.
So we kept our eyes peeled , and of course I had the camera ready, lo and behold at 2am as if by magic we witnessed the most spectacular event anyone could imagine, the time went back one hour. To see the stars just glide back to the place they were an hour before hand is something I'll never forget.
One thing I forgot to mention is that Saturday night was very very clear.
It was also the end of daylight saving early on Sunday morning.
So we kept our eyes peeled , and of course I had the camera ready, lo and behold at 2am as if by magic we witnessed the most spectacular event anyone could imagine, the time went back one hour. To see the stars just glide back to the place they were an hour before hand is something I'll never forget.
And I suppose you think people are silly enough to believe all the stars just magically moved back in their orbits around the Milky Way! I know for a fact it was the Earth rolling back! If you don't believe me you should have done what I did - close your eyes to feel the Earth move!
Seriously, it was wonderful to see the IIS contingent there and the contributions you made, such as Mike's great wins! (well deserved)
Although the seeing on Saturday night wasn't perhaps as good as early on Friday evening - the Saturday was one of the darkest nights I have ever seen there - I hope everyone soaked it in!
I hope I see a few of the IIS'ers in Frankston over Easter for the NACAA. Anyone, besides me going? If not, I'm happy to give advance notice that the NACAA is likely to return to Sydney in 2008 - so no excuses from the NSW members! (I say likely because it needs to be confirmed yet).
One thing I forgot to mention is that Saturday night was very very clear.
It was also the end of daylight saving early on Sunday morning.
So we kept our eyes peeled , and of course I had the camera ready, lo and behold at 2am as if by magic we witnessed the most spectacular event anyone could imagine, the time went back one hour. To see the stars just glide back to the place they were an hour before hand is something I'll never forget.
Here are some photos taken on the last day of SPSP. You can see from the first three shot that the observing field was the place to be, while there were all types of scope from your humble Dob through to SCT there was only one Lightbridge present on the field and of course that belong to Petra,
The other shots are of the gang on Sunday morning having breakfast.
(I would have starved otherwise 
but will do so, saw the comet to the north, and imaged it, as with many other objects. RB, your 20da is awesome
I was very impressed, should be some beautiful images of the antare's region and the orion ones (average temp from 10 degrees to when you packed up it was about 3 degrees). Seeing the comet s watchmann was a buzz, thanks John!
meet some excellent people,
and enjoy all the things that make up a Star Party
.
![[1ponders]'s Avatar](../vbiis/customavatars/avatar45_9.gif){kind=avatar}
At least you would have been warm
