Live in Sydney and not sure what scope to buy? Get to SPSP.

[gary]

One of the most common pieces of advice for newcomers who aren't sure
what type of scope to buy is to come to an observing event where you
can meet fellow observers and get to see a whole bunch of different types
of scopes for yourself.

For those in the greater Sydney region, one of the very best opportunities
for doing that is coming up fast. It is the South Pacific Star Party (SPSP)
which is run by the Astronomical Society of New South Wales (ASNSW).

Held over a weekend at a dark sky site approximately 3.5 hours out of
Sydney, it attracts hundreds of enthusiasts, so it allows you to take
a leisurely look at a lot of gear and to chat to a lot of people.

Likewise for those who may be interested in digital astrophotography.
Not only is there a whole lot of cool gear to look at and to get your pulse rate
beating faster, there is the opportunity to meet a diverse range
of enthusiasts, from absolute beginners to highly experienced gurus.

You know you have a lot of questions, so here is your chance to come and ask.

Plus you get to meet fellow IceInSpace members too!

You don't need to be a member of ASNSW to attend.
You can arrive and simply register on the day, but there is an early-bird discount for
those who register early and in any case it is recommended to register in advance,
particularly if you want to guarantee a ticket to the Saturday night spit roast.

There are also some large aperture Dobsonians that are made available for
sky tours, so if you don't have a scope, don't worry, there is plenty of
aperture available and you will come away having seen some really neat stuff.

Families attend so you don't need to leave the tribe at home.

This year's South Pacific Star Party will be held 1st-3rd April and there is
a thread concerning it here -
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/s...ad.php?t=71376

Best Regards

Gary Kopff (ANSW Member)
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Good advice!

You might even meet the folks behind some of that cool gear...like the Argo Navis (one of the best observing aides available)

[mangrovedutch (Dutch)]

That sounds great for newcomers like myself, hopefully there be one in SEQ at some stage. You can never have to much info. Enjoy....

Dutch

[gary]

Originally Posted by mangrovedutch

That sounds great for newcomers like myself, hopefully there be one in SEQ at some stage. You can never have to much info. Enjoy....

Dutch

Hi Dutch,

The big one to look for in SEQ is the Queensland Astrofest which will be held
22nd to 31st June 2011 at Lions Camp Duckadang which is near the tiny
town of Linville. It is a beautiful spot with fabulous dark skies and great amenity
and the friendliest bunch of people you will ever meet.

See http://www.qldastrofest.org.au/

Like the SPSP, there is a lot of gear to see there and a lot you can learn
from fellow enthusiasts.

One of the nice things about attending a star party is getting a chance to
look through a really big Dob, like a 25", or seeing a high-end astroimaging rig
in action. They may not be the types of gear that newcomers are about to rush
out and buy tomorrow, but it can give some sense of what type of experience
enthusiasts enjoy at the 'high end'. And that type of experience I can tell you now will have
you walking away with a big smile on your face and saying "Wow!".

Hope you can make it to Queensland Astrofest. It is one of the world's great
star parties.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[gary]

Originally Posted by wavelandscott

Good advice!

You might even meet the folks behind some of that cool gear...like the Argo Navis (one of the best observing aides available)

Thanks Scott! Your kind words are appreciated.
And Wildcard Innovations, I am happy to confirm, is once again a sponsor of the SPSP.
So we will be there and we always love the chance to meet new people.

In fact, the development and testing of the Argo Navis has a strong connection with Wiruna,
the ASNSW dark sky location where SPSP is held, but that is another story and one we have
spoken about at presentations there before.

Unfortunately with you now living in the States, I guess we are going to miss seeing you at SPSP again this year.

However, NEAF must be looming large on your calendar.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
Manufacturers of the Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

[mangrovedutch (Dutch)]

Originally Posted by gary

Hi Dutch,

The big one to look for in SEQ is the Queensland Astrofest which will be held
22nd to 31st June 2011 at Lions Camp Duckadang which is near the tiny
town of Linville. It is a beautiful spot with fabulous dark skies and great amenity
and the friendliest bunch of people you will ever meet.

See http://www.qldastrofest.org.au/

Like the SPSP, there is a lot of gear to see there and a lot you can learn
from fellow enthusiasts.

One of the nice things about attending a star party is getting a chance to
look through a really big Dob, like a 25", or seeing a high-end astroimaging rig
in action. They may not be the types of gear that newcomers are about to rush
out and buy tomorrow, but it can give some sense of what type of experience
of the 'top end'. And that type of experience I can tell you now will have
you walking away with a big smile on your face and saying "Wow!".

Hope you can make it to Queensland Astrofest. It is one of the world's great
star parties.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

MAKE IT ??? I've already called in dead for that time, and noted on the calender in red capital letters.

It's nice having some equipment (I've got a 10" Dob and also a dodgey 6" Reflector as on an EQ2 mount as well) and they get used nightly just flicking from here to there, but I would realy love to get the ED120 and HEQ5 GOTO up and running and learn to be provicient and comfortable with it and start imaging. This Saturday, SAS is having a field night, and I'm chomping at the bit to get there. POSITION VACANT - Wanted a Sensei to help Grasshopper work his GOTO. Payrate by way of lots of thank you's and appreciation .
Note to myself - buy OIII and UHC 2" Filters

Thank you for that information, Gary.

Dutch

[gary]

Originally Posted by mangrovedutch

MAKE IT ??? I've already called in dead for that time, and noted on the calender in red capital letters.

It's nice having some equipment (I've got a 10" Dob and also a dodgey 6" Reflector as on an EQ2 mount as well) and they get used nightly just flicking from here to there, but I would realy love to get the ED120 and HEQ5 GOTO up and running and learn to be provicient and comfortable with it and start imaging. This Saturday, SAS is having a field night, and I'm chomping at the bit to get there. POSITION VACANT - Wanted a Sensei to help Grasshopper work his GOTO. Payrate by way of lots of thank you's and appreciation .
Note to myself - buy OIII and UHC 2" Filters

Thank you for that information, Gary.

Dutch

Hi Dutch!

Fantastic!!! You are well ahead of the game!

Indeed, I am sure one of the SAS gang will be able to help you get up and going with
the HEQ5 GOTO on the field night and I know there is no shortage of talented
imagers in that fraternity that no doubt will be able to get you pointed in the right
direction there as well. One tip I find is to look around the field for a similar rig
and simply introduce yourself to the owner. If you hang back, then often others
may not notice you in the dark and simply carry on doing their own thing.
So at times one needs to be a little bit forthright and not shy in one's approach
and in most cases if the person you ask can't help, they usually recommend to
you someone who is willing to take you under their wing for the night.

It is amazing how something as simple as casually offering a chocolate Tim Tam can
sometimes be all it takes to break the ice out on the field and make a new acquaintance.

Enjoy it!

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Mt. Kuring-Gai NSW

[barx1963 (Malcolm)]

It's a fairly consistent theme in the beginners columns, "try to get to an observing night, star party or other astro gathering before splashing out cash on gear"
You learn so much in a few short hours.

Well done for starting this thread Gary

Malcolm

[wavelandscott (Scott)]

Originally Posted by gary

Thanks Scott! Your kind words are appreciated.
And Wildcard Innovations, I am happy to confirm, is once again a sponsor of the SPSP.

Unfortunately with you now living in the States, I guess we are going to miss seeing you at SPSP again this year.

However, NEAF must be looming large on your calendar.

Best Regards

Gary Kopff
Managing Director
Wildcard Innovations Pty. Ltd.
Manufacturers of the Argo Navis Digital Telescope Computer
20 Kilmory Place
Mount Kuring-Gai NSW 2080
Australia
Phone +61-2-9457-9049
Fax +61-2-9457-9593
sales@wildcard-innovations.com.au
http://www.wildcard-innovations.com.au

Much Deserved Gary!

Yes, unfortunately SPSP is not on the cards for me in the near future but NEAF is coming soon...with the recent equipment sales and the normal specials at the show I suspect that I will do some damage to my wallet.

Are you coming over to NEAF this year? If so let me know, I live about an hour from the show and would love to catch-up.

Cheers,