Hi H0ughy,
I'm interested to hear that because they seemed to better than the old ones when I used them on the Thursday. When did you have a shower? Was it before about 8am? We were using a 240 volt water pump that only works when the generator is running. But maybe the pump was overwhelmed at times?
With the weather wasn't that promising on Saturday night, I decided to go back to my hotel at Kandos, and lo behold! The sky was clear and crisp!! With some occasional low clouds zipping by, it was a really cool view.
Couldn't resist taking out my 300D and took this 90 sec view at the parking space of Kandos motel.
With the weather wasn't that promising on Saturday night, I decided to go back to my hotel at Kandos, and lo behold! The sky was clear and crisp!! With some occasional low clouds zipping by, it was a really cool view.
Interesting you should say that. Think it was on Sunday morning I overheard someone mention that they had gone off site and once back on the main road the skies were clear. Amazing how the climate can change within a relatively short distance but I didn't appreciate how high up Wiruna actually is. Hasn't spoiled my taste for wanting to go back next chance I can
It's not uncommon for Wiruna to be wiped out when other useful sites are clear. It's a crap site and its evident ASNSW had no idea about this - nor evaluated the local weather conditions - before they bought it.
There are many far better sites (in terms of clear nights) closer to Sydney that were never considered.
It's not uncommon for Wiruna to be wiped out when other useful sites are clear. It's a crap site and its evident ASNSW had no idea about this - nor evaluated the local weather conditions - before they bought it.
There are many far better sites (in terms of clear nights) closer to Sydney that were never considered.
It's a crap site and its evident ASNSW had no idea about this - nor evaluated the local weather conditions - before they bought it.
The SPSP and the site in general have provided a lot of joy for many years to many people , on an annual and monthly basis. You have to be `in it to win it' as they say . How many times, as an ASNSW member , have you visited... once or twice?
More than that, Mark, and as a non-member. "Being in it to win it" to me only means an enjoyable, peaceful night observing in good conditions. I'm not really interested in going to a site with barely average seeing and a poor record for transparency when there are much better ones closer to home.
More importantly on a number of years observing elsewhere on the same weekends, to find out later from those who went that I had the better weather. There's a lot to be said for being on sandstone at 1100 metres with a cliff on 3 sides.
There was no site survey carried out before Wiruna was acquired to find out what it was like at night over several months let alone assess the seeing and transparency properly. No effort was made at analysing the microclimate - despite the site selection processes used by observatories elsewhere being known to several at the time. Somewhat remarkable considering at the time Bowen was well known for turning on better seeing than most other locations, and for good reasons.
I'm not really interested in going to a site with barely average seeing and a poor record for transparency when there are much better ones closer to home.
With all due (I think) respect then, stay away and maybe stop your moaning. There are plenty of us that really appreciate what a few amateurs have done by going to the extent of buying a property with its sole purpose being for the use of other amateur astronomers - and then by excelling themselves in the field of hospitality. The asking price per year in terms of membership is incredibly small in turn for this level of infrastructure and comeraderie.
Buying the ideal block of land is a lot more than choosing an "ideal" location based on flimsy weather records. It has to do with access, size, affordability, amenities, topography, zoning and a whole pile more.
"Being in it to win it" to me only means an enjoyable, peaceful night observing in good conditions.
Hmm..sounds like you should steer clear of star parties , I was referring to the great comeradery of long term vistors to Ilford. Its a bit rich at the end of this long largely amiable thread criticising Ilford choice by a past commitee on the basis of a weather system that has been currently affecting half the state.
You should stay clear of Ilford then... you may end up swinging from the nearest tree
I really don't want to argue with you and you are certainly entitled to your opinion, but first a couple of facts:
For the past 3 years, taking into account Friday and Saturdays for Bowen Last Quarter observing vs Wiruna New Moon observing.
2008: Bowen 9 clear nights, Wiruna 11 clear nights
2007: Bowen 8 clear nights, Wiruna 9 clear nights
2006: Bowen 6 clear nights (Sat only counted), Wiruna 15 clear nights
Last year, we had an average of 36 people attend Wiruna each month and often well in excess of 50.
Now, there is no question that Bowen often has the better seeing conditions, but Wiruna is hands down the club's premier observing site for transparency and dark skies. (Keep in mind that I am the ASNSW Vice President Crago, so this comment could be considered treason ). If not for Wiruna, I wonder how many people would have seen the Gegenschein or experienced multiple shadows cast on the ground; one from the milky way glow and the other from Jupiter?
On occasion, members have taken simultaneous sky quality meter readings at both Wiruna and Coonabarabran and obtained almost identical results. Quite simply, Wiruna can and does deliver the goods, which is why so many people make the long trek month after month.
But more than that, Wiruna offers a social outlet which many members appreciate. We put on regular communal dinners, movie nights if it is cloudy and often just sit around the fire with a glass of wine chatting. When it is clear, the club provides a range of scopes for members to use, including a 17.5" dob and a 25" obsession.
I'm glad you have found your ideal observing spot. But please don't downplay what Wiruna has to offer.
Cheers,
Paul Hatchman
Vice President
ASNSW
Last edited by Paul Hatchman; 27-05-2009 at 07:10 PM.
Reason: typo
Wiruna is a great investment for club activities and it usually has the bonus of dark skies on a pretty regular basis to add to the enjoyment of attending.
I would not care if it rained, snowed or any other dismal weather. It won't stop me attending the next SPSP
Barry
PS I think the voting is at least 310+ for and 1 against
Paul, I never suggested Bowen was ideal. But it did turn on good seeing.
I'm more amused to see what happens when someone expresses an opinion different from the official party line peddled by the clique that run the ASNSW... Makes me feel ashamed to have been a past president at a time when alternative views were encouraged and openly discussed.
I'm more amused to see what happens when someone expresses an opinion different from the official party line peddled by the clique that run the ASNSW... Makes me feel ashamed to have been a past president at a time when alternative views were encouraged and openly discussed.
Subject closed.
Wow. Just wow.
In addition to being insulting to those who volunteer their time to help manage the ASNSW, nothing you have said above matches my perception of the recent committees or the members.
You say that you want open "discussion", but then close the subject? I would have been more than happy to have a discussion with you, but if this is your idea of a "discussion", then I'll pass thanks.
It was great to catch up with everyone this year at wiruna unfortunatly the weather was not kind to us but that is just part of this great hobby got to thank the volunteers who work so hard putting this together, i have been going up for ten yrs now and i know this is a good dark site and a good spot for so many astronomy minded people
I,ll be back next year with better weather no doubt.got a good shot of the flame neb glad it was there.
Alan
Ah yes, thank goodness for the campfires! This year, with the encouragement of an experienced "glass melter" (John Gerkin) we melted at least a dozen beer bottles and a couple of wine bottles for good measure.
The comments about the timing of the event are interesting. I Think the event has swapped between March-April-May for quite some time and the end result has been a simply an appalling run of bad luck with clouds and the weather. But it has been just that -- bad luck.
Thanks for being so gracious, but there is no bad luck here - just bad planning for a site that was not particularly well selected. (Don't take my own word for it, see the historical Bart Bok article written in 1960. I.e. http://adsabs.harvard.edu/abs/1960JRASC..54..257B )
I do agree though the present committee of the ASNSWI did not select the site but inherited the problem. I also suggest (as others here) it is a great get-together of people of similar interests. Pity it is so far to get to the place!
It was great to catch up with everyone this year at wiruna unfortunatly the weather was not kind to us but that is just part of this great hobby got to thank the volunteers who work so hard putting this together, i have been going up for ten yrs now and i know this is a good dark site and a good spot for so many astronomy minded people
I,ll be back next year with better weather no doubt.got a good shot of the flame neb glad it was there.
Alan
On occasion, members have taken simultaneous sky quality meter readings at both Wiruna and Coonabarabran and obtained almost identical results. Quite simply, Wiruna can and does deliver the goods, which is why so many people make the long trek month after month.
Paul Hatchman
Vice President
ASNSW
Sorry. The real available site testing data simply doesn't scientifically back up your statement.
ASNSWI promotion and support for the Wiruna is necessarily needed, but the total spin about getting people there perhaps needs to change it primary focus. SPSP is about people getting together and not really about observing the sky (though it is a certain bonus.) Other times during the year are certainly better, as there are less people and more chance of getting some useful observing done without interference.
(Note: Like Wavytone, Andrew James was a former President of this Society and know and acted upon what went on in the somewhat careless site selection process.)
Well yes and no...
Conflicting Statement
