One heck of a BIG thank you to the organisers of BSG09 - and especially to Petra and David. Being my first BSG, I can honestly say that no star party I've ever experienced has been better organised and run. You guys and your fellow ASAW guys and gals should be very proud of the result. Entertainment was laid on when the weather wasn't wonderful, and I mut say that I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed the great debate on Saturday night. Myles Allen and the gang were terrific - very, very funny
The facilities are really first-class - especially the lecture room and dinner hall with fireplace. Very nice indeed!!! I'll not be camping next year, but be booking a cabin next to the pool ala BigDave, Greg and crew. These are right next to the imaging area and are again first-class. Can't believe that they have flat-screen TV's in them. LOL!!
Imaging was hit and miss due to the weather on a couple of nights, but Friday night was spectacular! Both Humayun and I stayed for the duration, taking our last darks at 7:00am as the sun was making an appearance. Only a couple of hours before we were taking laps around the tennis courts to keep warm! Humayun did over 4-hours of solid data aquisition on NGC2070 that night, so I'm keen to see what he produces. I managed an hour or two each on M16 and M17, as well as M42, which is a treat for this time of the year. The sun killed me off as it rose. LOL!
I didn't get the time to visit the visual observing field as we struggled to mke the best use of time that we had. I'd like to say that it was an absolute pleasure to have been situated on the tennis courts with the imaging guys - what a truly great bunch of fellas. John (JohnG), Doug (Hagar), Chris (33South), Humayun (Octane), Trent (Trent_Julie), Dave (Big Dave), Steve, Greg & Tait and a host of others all made imaging a fun, informative affair. It was Losmandy G-11/G-8 City there on that courst that night....
Once again - thanks Petra and David - I had a ball. Please, please book me in for next year!
I too would like to add a big Thank You to Petra , Dave and members of the ASAW for once again putting on a great Stargaze . It was great to meet up with old friends and to meet new ones, especially on the Imaging Field, it has come a long way from just 2 or 3 imagers in the first year.
It was great to be able to help some new imagers and also to get some advice from the more experienced.
On behalf of my wife and myself..we would also like to give a big thank you to Dave and Petra and to the rest of the members of the ASAW, the staff at the Wymah Aspen resort and to Brownie and good folk from Catering Outback for putting on a terrific Stargaze..even thought I didn't get to set up for some serious viewing...we still enjoyed the great company, lectures, debates, trivia..( I have a bruise from a flying mars bar!!)..lots of serious fun and we will be back next year for sure!!
Regards...
Norm and Melissa Matyson
I'd also like to congratulate David, Petra and ASAW for putting on and pulling off an excellent stargaze, under the difficult circumstances (weather).
I had an absolute ball of a time, and, also managed to pick up a shirt and a subscription to COSMOS magazine, woohoo! First time winning anything!
Like, Chris, next time, I won't be camping. Whilst camping is fun, I managed to get set up in a swamp. It's a wonder I didn't float away downstream.
It was a great pleasure to set up alongside Chris (Omaroo), Chris (33south), Doug (Hagar), John (JohnG) and Trent (trent_julie). The stories John told us, oh boy! I'd like to also sincerely thank Chris, Doug and John for all their help with my equipment; from helping out with bits and pieces to their assistance with setting up and getting imaging. The guys all hunkered around my G-11 and managed to find a problem -- my declination motor was quite loose. After John pulled it apart, Chris discovered a crack in the gearbox. Thanks, guys!
Another great success for ASAW & the region, with a massive schools program, a visit from an American astronaut and a highly enjoyable star party at Wymah Valley Retreat!
Had a fantastic time myself, catching up with people such as John (JohnG), Doug (Hagar), Chris (Omaroo), Peter (Peterbat), local stalwarts including Petra & Dave, the two Micks (Nolan & Laws), and many others! Friday was a dismal day – cold, high winds, driving rainstorms – so it was almost miraculous when the wind died & clouds cleared to give us clear skies all night, with transparency improving through the night. Saw lots of stuff just using my 4.5" reflector, and strangely didn’t avail myself of much of the "firepower" on site. Did have a look at a couple of comets through a 12.5" dob though (thanks Brian!).
Saturday started clear, but got cloudier. A late afternoon debate was held – "Is astrology a science?". I was very much barracking for the negative – about time we kicked this stuff back to the Dark Ages. Fortunately the negative team was led strongly by Miles, a typical Leo.
It was raining by evening so observing was out. ASAW organised a trivia night hosted by the inimitable Miles! My table of three (myself, Lorraine & Becky) did very poorly! I’d been told on good authority that most answers to trivia questions are either Don Bradman or Phar Lap – might need a new strategy next time. Stayed up till well after 2 am when the cloud appeared to be breaking up & stars were showing in gaps, but called it a night anyway. Sunny in the early morning so I suspect that there had been an observing window after all.
Congratulations and a huge thank you to all the dedicated and hard-working organisers & volunteers from ASAW (and particularly Petra & Dave) for making this event possible!!!! Back next year for sure!
Congratulations , another fantastic year at Border Stargaze, even though the weather wasn't good. Had a great time listening to the presenters, the debate was hilarous and great fun and looking forward to one next year! The Trivia night is also great fun especially with Miles running it, you can't help laughing at his antics
Some photos I took:
1. Solar viewing
2. Solar spectroscope
3. Norm with his Astrolabe
4. The WINNERS of the Great Debate
Just a quick post to thank you all for your great comments, pics and feedback. We had a mixed bag of weather, and it was disappointing that we had to cancel the public night - but as it turned out it was a bonus for the guests staying on site. I am down with a flu , however David will post a more detailed report very soon.
Again many thanks to all that supported Border Stargaze - you make it such a great event.
Just a quick post to thank you all for your great comments, pics and feedback. We had a mixed bag of weather, and it was disappointing that we had to cancel the public night - but as it turned out it was a bonus for the guests staying on site. I am down with a flu , however David will post a more detailed report very soon.
Again many thanks to all that supported Border Stargaze - you make it such a great event.
My Japanees Atlux was surrounded by those American G-11 things; I think they wanted to make friends - or start a war?
Clearly I was out numbered 6-1.....
Quote:
Originally Posted by Omaroo
It was Losmandy G-11/G-8 City there on that courst that night....
I have finally finished the evaluation reports for National Science Week and the Councils.
What an incredible event, I cannot thank everyone nearly enough by the fantastic comments, feedback and support. Our sponsors again humbled us by their generosity and you each (Wymah Holiday Park staff, guests, sponsors, vendors, ASAW members and guest speakers) made BSG 2009 a memorable experience.
This year we made the decision to engage a commercial caterer and what a success that was. No amount of planning could have prepared us for the excellent level of service and boy were we spoilt for choice. Catering Outback were simply the best and the feedback we received backs that statement all the way.
This year was special for a number of reasons, we had Nancy Rooke OAM Wirradjuri Elder welcome us to country, Andersons Winery, a trebuchet demonstration, Norm Matyson and his Astrolabe, the three Johns (Sarkissian, Wilkinson and Morieson), a 3D theatre, the Cosmodome (with Miles of course), the debate, the trivia night and to cap it off Dr Megan McArthur (NASA). What can we do next year.
In all our guests speakers clocked up 12 hours of presentation time, we hosted an incredible number of participants 1,427 over 4 days, we finally made it home late on Sunday afternoon and just managed a pizza.
It's a wonder I didn't float away downstream. 
Stayed up till well after 2 am when the cloud appeared to be breaking up & stars were showing in gaps, but called it a night anyway. Sunny in the early morning so I suspect that there had been an observing window after all.
, however David will post a more detailed report very soon.
.
.
