IceInSpace Star Camp 2005, Ballarat Victoria - Page 8

bird (Anthony Wesley) · #**141** 18-10-2005, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

Ken, out of the 40ish people attending, do you know how many actual telescopes will be there? ie: how many people are bringing their scopes?

I'll be packing my 10" scope and all the computer gear, including laptop. I'm not too worried about light, I have the background set to black and my terminal windows are green on black :-)

Mars might be a bit of a hard target, but I'll give it a go. My main interest will probably be Saturn, it should be transiting at a nice time for imaging.

Bird

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #**142** 18-10-2005, 09:11 PM

Bird,

Don't win all the Awards. Let someone else win at least one of them.

bird (Anthony Wesley) · #**143** 19-10-2005, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballaratdragons

Bird,

Don't win all the Awards. Let someone else win at least one of them.

I'm not above a bit of bribery...mmm, beer...

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #**144** 19-10-2005, 07:58 PM

UPDATE: 19-10-05

IceInSpace 2005 Snake Valley
STAR CAMP

Sponsored by SKY:Lab Astronomy Software
Binocular & Telescope Shop (BINTEL)
'Australian Sky & Telescope' Magazine
MyAstroShop

Our newest Sponsor is MyAstroShop

Don't forget to bring your goodies & cash for the BUY/SWAP/SELL

During the Camp there will be a display in the Rec Room of: Astrophotography, New Products by Vendors and any interesting Astro or Space items you wish to display.

Astrophotography Competiton Prizes: Certificates for seperate sections and best overall recieves the 'Erwin van der Velden Award' and a pair of Bushnell 10x50 Binoculars from MyAstroShop (Value: $110)

Lucky Door Prize: 1 Year Subscription to Australian Sky & Telescope Magazine (Value: $82.50)

Raffles Prizes: SKY:Lab Astronomy Software - Star Atlas: Pro (Value: $129), a TELRAD from BINTEL (Value: $82.50) and a 'You Choose' catalogue raffle from 'Australian Sky & Telescope' magazine.

I have been informed by the President of the Ballarat Astronomical Society that they have reduced the $8.50 fee to $3 per person for our IIS Star Camp group for the visit to the Historic Obsevatory on Saturday evening to see the Historic 'Made on Site' Telescopes.

STAR CAMP
EVENTS PROGRAM

All events listed are optional

Friday 28th Oct
5pm - Camp Open
5 - 7pm - Meet & Greet get together
7pm - Viewing
___________________________________ ____________________

Saturday 29th Oct
Free Time
9am - 3pm - 'Rally in the Valley'
3pm - Beginners Workshop (Mirror cleaning, collimation)
4 - 5pm - BUY/SWAP/SELL & Vendors stalls
5pm - 'Deep Sky Observing' - David Girling
7 - 8pm - Ballarat Historic Observatory $3 p.p. (leaving Camp at 6:30pm)
8:30pm - Viewing at Camp
___________________________________ ____________________

Sunday 30th Oct
Free Time
4pm - 'Sequence of building an Obsession Dobsonian' - Peter Read
5:30pm - Group Photo being taken (please attend)
6pm - 'SPIT ROAST FEAST' - $10 per head
7pm - 'Leonids - a night to remember' - David Girling
8pm - Viewing
___________________________________ ____________________

Monday 31st Oct
Free Time
2pm - Historic Gold Diggings & Trestle Bridge
5pm - 'Venus Transit' & Video Footage - David Girling
7pm - Raffle Draws & Competition Awards
7:30pm - Viewing
___________________________________ ____________________

Tuesday 1st Nov
Final get-together & Farewells
1pm - Camp Closed
___________________________________ ____________________
Printable version of program at bottom of this post

ATTENTION ALL NEW MEMBERS and old ones AND VISITORS TO THIS SITE:
ONLY 8 DAYS TO GO FOLKS, GRAB YOUR ACCOMMODATION NOW OR START PACKING THE TENT AND CAMPING ACCESSORIES AND MAKE YOUR BOOKING!!!

Remember the Date: 28th October - 1st November

Wind forward your Star Map programs and have a look at the incredible list of objects for viewing during the Camp. Mars will be at full opposition!

So far those that have booked 'on-site' are:

*Ken: (ballaratdragons) x 4 nights - Paid
*John and Anna: (xstream) x 4 nights - Paid
*Dave: (Dave47Tuc) x 4 nights - Paid
*Dave's friend x 4 nights - Paid
*Darren & Family: (wombat_in_space) x 4 nights
*Trevor: (OneOfOne) and group x 4 nights - Paid
*Dave P: (davidpretorius) and daughter x 4 nights - Paid
*Steve: (Janoskiss) x 4 nights - Paid
*Geoff: (starkler) x 4 nights - Paid
*Gazza and Family: (cahullian) x 4 nights - Paid
*Peter Read: x 4 nights - Paid
*Sharon, Michael & Giles: x 3 nights - Paid
*Peter: (toetoe) x 3 nights - Paid
*Graham: x 3 nights - Paid
*Stuart & Wife: (Stu) x 2 nights poss 3 - Paid
*Bird x 3 nights
*Daniel Granieri x 2 nights

TOTAL ON-SITE SO FAR - approx 31 on-site

Approx 20 of those for all 4 nights!

Those attending but staying off-site:

Mike and Family (iceman) x 4 nights
Robert (Grampian Stars) x 1 night
Mick Pinner & Wife x 1 night
Tony (Striker) possibly 1 night
Dave (Snake Valley local)

Current Number of attendees Total: approx 41

The onsite Accommodation Still available:

1 x 8 bed bunkhouse
1 x shared 8 bed bunkhouse (5 empty bunks)
and lots of camping space for tents and caravans.

For off-site accommodation only 20 minutes away from the Camp try here: http://www.ballarat.com/peppinella.htm

EVENTS: See Events Program at top of this post
*Saturday evening visit to Historic Ballarat Observatory
*Visit ruins of Gold digging and Processing site
*Visit to Historic Wooden Trestle Bridge
*Beginners Workshop (collimating, mirror-cleaning, Star-map reading, easy-find objects)
*Speaker 'David Girling' on 3 Astronomy subjects
*Speaker 'Peter Read' on building an Obsession Truss Dobsonian
*Competitions for best Astrophoto, best home-made Astro accessory
*Raffles for Astro Prizes
*Door Prize for those booking on-site
*Buy/Swap/Sell late Saturday afternoon
*Sunday evening 'Spit Roast Feast' (small charge)

Lake on-site, so bring your canoes, fishing gear etc.

A fully equipped kitchen, Meeting Room, Recreation Room (billiards & table tennis).
The Meeting room is available for DVD/Videos (bring some along to show).

Entry is free for on-site and off-site guests.

ACCOMMODATION FEES ON-SITE (bunkhouse per person or camp-site per person)

2 nights - $26.40
3 nights - $39.60
4 nights - $52.80
Children Under 4 - Free

If you are staying for 2 or 3 nights but decide to stay longer just let us know at the Camp.

A 'Gold Coin' donation box will be available for donations towards the running of the IceInSpace website.

*This information will be updated regularly.

DO NOT MISS OUT ON THIS MEMORABLE OCCASION!

rumples riot · #**145** 19-10-2005, 08:17 PM

Sorry guys we won't be attending, we're off to the Flinders. I do hope you have clear skies, long term forecast is not good for mid next week, but as you know things change in a week or so. Have great time.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #**146** 19-10-2005, 08:27 PM

Have an enjoyable time Paul.

Weather looks like the bad spell is only a band coming through during the week and gone by Thursday or Friday!

The latest UPDATE is only 2 posts back!

asimov (John) · #**147** 20-10-2005, 02:15 AM

I may be attending after all. So a hesitant 'maybe' from me. Just lil' ol' me will be turning up if I pull it off. No accomodation necessary....(I'll chuck the tent in just in case though, sleeping in one's car gets old) If I decide I wanna tent site Ken, can I just pay on the spot....providing there is room left of course ?

The refractor will turn up with me.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #**148** 20-10-2005, 10:33 AM

Asicamper, Just turn up mate! Bring your tent or jump in a bunkhouse with someone.

It would be great to have you along.

davidpretorius · #**149** 20-10-2005, 11:23 AM

work with him slowly ken, keep the line taut & let him tire. If he runs, let him run, as long as you don't get to the end of the spool.

no sudden movements, just reel him in slow steady movements.

remember the big fish i lost just recently, species rumpilous riotous, i hooked him, but was too quick and eager to land him, and he snapped the line and headed towards flinders.

Now this species, asimotis thundercloudus, is very finnicky, depends on the weather. He doesn't usually come out in the day, but your choice of bait, the little toucamus interuptus has worked on drawing him out!

be very very careful with this one ken.....slowly......steady......kee p calm...............breathe.......

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #**150** 20-10-2005, 03:18 PM

asimov (John) · #**151** 20-10-2005, 05:44 PM

"SNAP"!!.......& the line breaks!!....NOOOOO! (just kidding) Thanks Dave/Ken. I'll do my best to get there. Long drive though!!

Dave47tuc (David) · #**152** 20-10-2005, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asimov

The refractor will turn up with me.

I for one would be very keen to see you turn up with the 6" scope.

I love big refractors.(and small ones two)

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #**153** 20-10-2005, 08:48 PM

Asitraveller, won't big blue fit in the car?

asimov (John) · #**154** 20-10-2005, 10:15 PM

Nope.The OTA is 300mm longer than the back seat. Roof-rack or trailer would be the only way. (I own neither)....Not to worry. Thanks for returning my PM. Got some decent maps so I should be ok. As far as finding the actual camp when I hit Ballarat, I'll just ask someone in town. I can smell telescopes 10 miles away anyway so I'll find it!

There'll be heaps of 12" scopes to look thru no doubt? & I'm eager to show you guys what a 6" achromatic can do.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #**155** 21-10-2005, 11:32 AM

AsiJohn,

Because of the direction you will be coming from (S.A.) if you go all the way to Ballarat and then to the Camp you will be adding about 1 hour to the trip.

Depending on which Highway you come on you should turn off to Snake Valley at Linton or Beaufort.

If you use the Glenelg Hwy: turn-off at Linton and the Camp is only 4 minutes from the turn-off!

If you use the Western Hwy: the turn-off is about 2k after Beaufort. Follow that road all the way to Snake Valley (approx 15 mins).

Both turn-offs are clearly marked with big signs.

I hope you make it over as it would be great to see you before you head off to live in America.

asimov (John) · #**156** 21-10-2005, 05:54 PM

Damn circumstances keep changing here...(nothing new about that!) I have a job interview in the pipe-line, & I have no doubt it's gonna take place on one of the star-camp dates! (murphy's law)....A careful look at the car today tell's me it's touch & go weather it gets there & back in one piece.....(without spending money on it before I go I mean.) So then I thought about throwing myself on the bus, & now you tell me starcamp is nowhere near Ballarat?....Just looking into timetables as I type this.

Signed: (asi-annoyed-amov)

davidpretorius · #**157** 21-10-2005, 06:40 PM

i will have car or pick you up from ballarat if needs be.

that will be the least of your troubles!

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #**158** 22-10-2005, 03:48 PM

Asi-annoyed, Ballarat is only 20 mins away but if you were driving you would turn of way before.

Yep, plenty of us to pick you up from Ballarat if you catch a bus!

asimov (John) · #**159** 22-10-2005, 09:59 PM

Hi Ken. The plan is: coming in on the western Highway. The turn off to snake valley is just after Beaufort, yep. So the sign actually says 'snake valley'? If that's the case I can't go wrong then hey?

BTW the bus timetables don't coincide too well with camp times so I'll take the chance & drive if I come.

ballaratdragons (Ken) · #**160** 22-10-2005, 10:09 PM

Cool John Asi-camper!!!!

Yep, about 2k after Beaufort is one of those big green direction signs "Snake Valley".
Turn right. Follow for about 15 mins and you will come to Carnham. You will see another big green sign saying "Snake Valley". Turn right again and go about 2k. Then you are in Snake Valley.

You will see the General Store, go straight past it for about another 2.5k and you will be at the Camp!!!!!!

WARNING: If you are reading this and you are not 'Asimov', 'Grampian Stars' or someone coming from the general direction of South Australia, do not follow these directions! Please use the Map link in the thread 'Last Call for Star Camp'