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  #61  
Old 27-03-2013, 06:27 AM
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frenchbluehour (Nicole)
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Hi Nicole

Definitely! Star parties are a great chance to do all that - talk to others, get advice, ask questions, etc.

Hope to see you there!
Great! ..... thanks for the reply.
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  #62  
Old 28-03-2013, 08:11 AM
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mental4astro (Alexander)
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Bad news - I can't make it

With the nature of my work, I need to work the Saturday I was hoping to be there. I won't be finishing up until late arvo, early evening, and I don't fancy a drive to Lostock during the night.

I was so looking forward to this event.

I am so sorry to the folks that were looking forward to my little sketching workshop. I have a few new techniques that I wanted to show too since my last time up there.

Alex.
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  #63  
Old 02-04-2013, 04:03 PM
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iceman (Mike)
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Sorry to hear it Alex.

Have just sent out the following to all current attendees:

-----------
Hi all

Just a quick touch-base with only 9 days until IISAC2013 kicks off!

- The IISAC2013 Programme is available online to let you know what's happening with the guest speaker talks etc. One change is that unfortunately Alex can't make it, so there'll be no sketching workshop.

- Please make yourself available on Saturday afternoon for the group photo!

- Unfortunately there's no dinner catering this year. You'll need to supply your own meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The houses have kitchens with microwave and stove/oven and some fridges, and there's a BBQ available for use too. Obviously with potentially more people using those facilities, please ensure you clean up after yourself. There's no maid or cleaners to do it.

- If you haven't ordered a shirt, there'll be some limited quantities of most sizes available to buy on the day. If you want to be sure assured of getting your size, please get in touch and I can add it to your booking. Shirts are $20.

- Anthony Ricketts from Canberra is attending his first star party at IISAC2013, but currently has no way of getting home. He's looking for someone to get a lift with on the Sunday, either back to Sydney (where he can get a train/bus) or to Canberra. He'll pay cash upfront. If you're able to offer assistance, please get in touch with me and I can put you in touch with Anthony.

- If you haven't been to a star party before, don't stress! The IISAC events are fun, no fuss and everyone is friendly so come and enjoy yourself.

- Don't forget Daylight Savings ends this weekend, so IISAC2013 will be in AEST. It'll get dark nice and early - long nights!

- As you know we can't control the weather, but the long-range forecast looks ok at the moment. There's really no way of predicting though - quite a few people didn't turn up to IISAC2011 expecting it to be cloudy, but in the end we had 3 clear or partially clear, beautiful dark nights.

- A message from IISAC2013 sponsor, Phyllis from Knightware:
"Attendees of IceInSpace AstroCamp 2013 can purchase Deep-Sky Planner 6 by digital delivery at a 15% discount from April 11 - 25. This coupon may be applied to Deep-Sky Planner 6 download edition with new user license (DSP6DL).

To receive the discount...<snip>... check your email.

You will see the discount applied before submitting your order.

Current owners of Deep-Sky Planner 6 can download the 'IceInSpace Astro Camp 2013' deep-sky observing plan in the online Plan Library. Visit Help | Community Page in Deep-Sky Planner 6 to visit the online plan library."

-------------

Looking forward to it! Stocked up on toilet paper and loads of soft drink and water. Trailer is getting full!
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  #64  
Old 02-04-2013, 04:05 PM
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iceman (Mike)
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A favour from me please:

If anyone has a spare 9kg gas bottle, could you please bring it along (with gas in it)?

I'll be taking mine for the bottom house, but
a) not sure how long a full gas bottle will last
b) need another one for the top house

Please let me know if you can bring one. Will happily reimburse you for the cost of filling up ($25?).
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  #65  
Old 04-04-2013, 11:40 AM
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Mike,

I'll be giving Anthony a lift back to Sydney on the Sunday.

Cheers

Morton
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  #66  
Old 04-04-2013, 01:02 PM
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Octane (Humayun)
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Was thinking of turning up with a Polarie and DSLR. Turns out I have an event on the 12th and wedding to photograph on the 13th.

Maybe next time.

Wishing you all clear skies.

H
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  #67  
Old 05-04-2013, 11:00 AM
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pluto (Hugh)
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All booked, can't wait!

I have a question about power. I'm hoping for long clear nights so I guess that means around 8 hours of imaging. I'll be there for 2 nights and at the moment I think my power supplies will only last maybe 10-12 hours. It'll probably stretch to both nights if I don't charge my lappy for the second night but that'll mean no guiding and just using the DSLR instead of the CCD, which wouldn't be the end of the world

I'm camping but I read that there is power in the buildings, is it available to charge stuff?
I assume many people will be wanting to do the same thing so how many power points are there?
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  #68  
Old 05-04-2013, 12:42 PM
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iceman (Mike)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pluto View Post
All booked, can't wait!

I have a question about power. I'm hoping for long clear nights so I guess that means around 8 hours of imaging. I'll be there for 2 nights and at the moment I think my power supplies will only last maybe 10-12 hours. It'll probably stretch to both nights if I don't charge my lappy for the second night but that'll mean no guiding and just using the DSLR instead of the CCD, which wouldn't be the end of the world

I'm camping but I read that there is power in the buildings, is it available to charge stuff?
I assume many people will be wanting to do the same thing so how many power points are there?
Charging during the day is no probs at all.

Heaps of power points, and people bring power boards. People are always charging batteries, laptops, cameras etc during the day.

Depending on where you camp, if you're on the imaging hill, there's potential to get 240v on tap. Just bring a few extension cords and a power board. They get pretty overloaded with people all piggybacking off a few power boards, but it's only tripped the power once
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  #69  
Old 05-04-2013, 12:42 PM
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iceman (Mike)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MortonH View Post
Mike,

I'll be giving Anthony a lift back to Sydney on the Sunday.

Cheers

Morton
Thanks Morton!
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  #70  
Old 05-04-2013, 02:10 PM
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pluto (Hugh)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by iceman View Post
Charging during the day is no probs at all.
Thanks Mike
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  #71  
Old 05-04-2013, 08:43 PM
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Screwdriverone (Chris)
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Hey Mike,

Another question about camping near your gear.....

I understand that you can on the observing field, but what about the imaging area?

I am pretty much going to stay in imaging the whole time and I saw a few shots with imaging rigs near camper-trailers in the pics.

Is this OK or is it strictly camping only on the lower observing field?

Just dont want to be lugging things back and forth between the tent and the scope and if set up for a run and I fancy a cuppa etc, don't want to leave the scope all by it's lonesome or during the day stuck out like a sore thumb with no "owner" nearby. I know the environment is friendly etc, just feel better if I have the gear close by to where I may be sleeping....

Edit: also, can I confirm that I can pick up the T shirt I ordered with the IISAC registration, when I am there? I did order one....at least I am pretty sure I did?

Cheers

Chris
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  #72  
Old 05-04-2013, 09:27 PM
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sheeny (Al)
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You'll be right, Chris. Camp with your gear.

...and Mike'll have the shirts there as well.



Al.
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  #73  
Old 05-04-2013, 10:02 PM
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Screwdriverone (Chris)
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Thanks Al!

Sweet

Cheers

Chris
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  #74  
Old 06-04-2013, 06:16 AM
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iceman (Mike)
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Al's right, Chris.

Even on the imaging field, you can camp near your gear.

You just can't camp around the house grounds (inside the fenced area).


And yes, those that ordered t-shirts will be picking them up at the camp when you arrive and come to the registration area
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  #75  
Old 06-04-2013, 07:12 AM
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Irish stargazer (John)
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Is there any mobile network coverage at the site (Telstra, Vodafone etc...)?
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  #76  
Old 06-04-2013, 07:33 AM
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iceman (Mike)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Irish stargazer View Post
Is there any mobile network coverage at the site (Telstra, Vodafone etc...)?
Your best bet is with Telstra, and there is intermittent coverage up in the high areas but you might need to drive a bit to find it. There's unlikely to be any down in the camp/houses itself.

I usually drive up one of the nearby mountains to check-in each day.

Back in the good ol' days of CDMA, you could get coverage around the toilet block if you were lucky.
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  #77  
Old 07-04-2013, 06:27 PM
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How do you determine the size of spot you need/can have? Is it a case of parking then setting up your tent/scope and that's your space?
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  #78  
Old 07-04-2013, 07:07 PM
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iceman (Mike)
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Pretty much

Common courtesy from everyone and it's all good.
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  #79  
Old 07-04-2013, 07:07 PM
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iceman (Mike)
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Down on the lower field I set aside an area for driving/walking and people camp/set up scopes behind that.
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  #80  
Old 07-04-2013, 08:12 PM
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Thanks, Mike.
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