h0ughy
January 13th, 2007, 09:02 PM
The Hunter Valley is host to an Astronomical gathering held over 3 nights, from the 18th to the 21st of January 2007, at Lostock Scout Camp, Lostock in the beautiful Hunter Valley area of NSW.
This event draws upon the Australian Astronomical Community to gather at Lostock in what is now highlighted as an international event. Amateur Astronomers will gather from as far away as Singapore, Northern Territory , Victoria, Queensland , ACT and NSW to exchange ideas, techniques and strengthen the Astronomical community of Australia. This is the second biggest gathering of Astronomers in Australia, and as such has attracted some of the largest dobsonian telescopes in Australia, which will be on show during the event to take advantage of the dark skies that Lostock can provide. So far there are over 150 astronomers of all walks of life booked for the event!
Amateur Astronomers and Professional Astronomers such as Dr David Malin, who will be attending the event as the keynote speaker on Saturday 20th as well as the cream of the Amateur Astronomical Community such as Anthony Wesley, Noel Welstead, Mike Sidonio and Andrew Murrell who represent Australia's Planetary and Deep Sky imagers, and those with keen interest in discovering comets, supernova's and other astronomical phenomena as well as the SETI program.
As an added bonus we hope to be observing the appearance of Comet McNaught (2006-P1) which is currently hurtling towards an area between Mercury and the Sun. We should be able to see the comet by eye from the 15th January with the aid of binoculars just after sunset low in the western horizon. It will quickly gather height in the western horizon and fade in brightness over the night following that date but should provide a spectacular show for young and old!
So for you westerners, if you feel like a trip your welcome to attend!!
I will be there from Wednesday setting up the camp for the hordes along with a few other people, the event kicks off 3pm Thursday arvo officially, so hopefully it will be smooth sailing all the way, all we need is clear weather!!!
NB this post has been edited by moderators
This event draws upon the Australian Astronomical Community to gather at Lostock in what is now highlighted as an international event. Amateur Astronomers will gather from as far away as Singapore, Northern Territory , Victoria, Queensland , ACT and NSW to exchange ideas, techniques and strengthen the Astronomical community of Australia. This is the second biggest gathering of Astronomers in Australia, and as such has attracted some of the largest dobsonian telescopes in Australia, which will be on show during the event to take advantage of the dark skies that Lostock can provide. So far there are over 150 astronomers of all walks of life booked for the event!
Amateur Astronomers and Professional Astronomers such as Dr David Malin, who will be attending the event as the keynote speaker on Saturday 20th as well as the cream of the Amateur Astronomical Community such as Anthony Wesley, Noel Welstead, Mike Sidonio and Andrew Murrell who represent Australia's Planetary and Deep Sky imagers, and those with keen interest in discovering comets, supernova's and other astronomical phenomena as well as the SETI program.
As an added bonus we hope to be observing the appearance of Comet McNaught (2006-P1) which is currently hurtling towards an area between Mercury and the Sun. We should be able to see the comet by eye from the 15th January with the aid of binoculars just after sunset low in the western horizon. It will quickly gather height in the western horizon and fade in brightness over the night following that date but should provide a spectacular show for young and old!
So for you westerners, if you feel like a trip your welcome to attend!!
I will be there from Wednesday setting up the camp for the hordes along with a few other people, the event kicks off 3pm Thursday arvo officially, so hopefully it will be smooth sailing all the way, all we need is clear weather!!!
NB this post has been edited by moderators