Singastro Star Party 2005??

Post by **perseid** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 3:44 am

It's great to hear that you guys are planning to come to Penang for the star party. Since you guys are talking about it, I'll chip in some information that is available so far.

Day One will be on 14th Jan 2005. Exhibition starts in the morning at 9am with planetarium show and sun observation. Opening ceremony is at 3pm by the vice chancellor. Later there will be quiz and observation starts at 8.30pm.

Day Two highlight will be a talk by the head of space science agency, Dr Mazlan Othman. In the evening, there will be a telescope counting event to determine the largest collection of telescope in Malaysia. Observation session starts after that with the presence of the governor of Penang.

Day Three will be workshop day, with spectrohelioscope making, telescope making and astronomy forum workshop for teachers.

There are also plans for messier marathon competition, ET making, astrophotography, etc.

The observation site for the star party is actually within the compound of University Science Malaysia. They had requested that nearby street lamps to be shut off for Saturday night. If clear sky, it should be about mag 4.5-5.

As mention by Chrisyeo, my dad has a piece of land on the western side of Penang (less populated) ideal for camping and serious observation. Still have street lamp nearby, but can easily see milky way. You are welcome to bring tent and use the site, but I need to know the number of people coming.

For other accomodation, it's all depending on your budget. If you just want a place to rest/take bath/etc, then I'll suggest an apartment style accomodation. There is one just a kilometer away from the star party site. Beach hotel accomodation is around 15km away and will cost around RM150 onwards (I think).

Post by **VinSnr** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 10:20 am

perseid wrote:It's great to hear that you guys are planning to come to Penang for the star party. Since you guys are talking about it, I'll chip in some information that is available so far.

Day One will be on 14th Jan 2005. Exhibition starts in the morning at 9am with planetarium show and sun observation. Opening ceremony is at 3pm by the vice chancellor. Later there will be quiz and observation starts at 8.30pm.

Day Two highlight will be a talk by the head of space science agency, Dr Mazlan Othman. In the evening, there will be a telescope counting event to determine the largest collection of telescope in Malaysia. Observation session starts after that with the presence of the governor of Penang.

Day Three will be workshop day, with spectrohelioscope making, telescope making and astronomy forum workshop for teachers.

There are also plans for messier marathon competition, ET making, astrophotography, etc.

The observation site for the star party is actually within the compound of University Science Malaysia. They had requested that nearby street lamps to be shut off for Saturday night. If clear sky, it should be about mag 4.5-5.

As mention by Chrisyeo, my dad has a piece of land on the western side of Penang (less populated) ideal for camping and serious observation. Still have street lamp nearby, but can easily see milky way. You are welcome to bring tent and use the site, but I need to know the number of people coming.

For other accomodation, it's all depending on your budget. If you just want a place to rest/take bath/etc, then I'll suggest an apartment style accomodation. There is one just a kilometer away from the star party site. Beach hotel accomodation is around 15km away and will cost around RM150 onwards (I think).

Perseid, any accomodation near to the University?

Also, is the university far from Ayer Itam? Wanted to go to Kek Lok Si temple for awhile....

Post by **perseid** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 12:14 pm

There are cheap accomodation near to the university. The nearest is about a kilometer away.
Kek Lok Si is around 15 km away. Penang is a much smaller island than Singapore. So, from one place to another is relatively near. Can't say much about traffic though.

Post by **VinSnr** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 12:19 pm

perseid wrote:There are cheap accomodation near to the university. The nearest is about a kilometer away.
Kek Lok Si is around 15 km away. Penang is a much smaller island than Singapore. So, from one place to another is relatively near. Can't say much about traffic though.

CK, how about cab over there? Do they use meter or it's up to them? Can they understand cantonese? Last time I went, most are hokkiens.

I intend the park the car at the hotel and then use cab to run around.

Sam Lee · Post by **Sam Lee** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 2:08 pm

VinSnr: Most of the cab drivers in Malaysia don't use the meter. Usually you'll agree on a price first before they take you there.

Perseids: What is the name of the apartment style accomodation you are talking about ? Can't understand a thing when i was running through the map of Penang.

Regards,
Sam

ariefm71 · Post by **ariefm71** » Fri Nov 26, 2004 2:32 pm

CK, how about cab over there? Do they use meter or it's up to them? Can they understand cantonese? Last time I went, most are hokkiens.

I intend the park the car at the hotel and then use cab to run around.

Last time I went there, they also speak malay. I'm interested to go as well.

Post by **Airconvent** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 1:17 am

VinSnr wrote:
perseid wrote:There are cheap accomodation near to the university. The nearest is about a kilometer away.
Kek Lok Si is around 15 km away. Penang is a much smaller island than Singapore. So, from one place to another is relatively near. Can't say much about traffic though.
CK, how about cab over there? Do they use meter or it's up to them? Can they understand cantonese? Last time I went, most are hokkiens.

I intend the park the car at the hotel and then use cab to run around.

yes...unlike Johor and KL where they are mostly Cantonese, Penang appears to be a Hokkien stronghold, speaking their own unique brand of hokkien. (yum yum...penang hokkien fried noodle!) anyway, perhaps to clarify some of the questions, perhaps Choon Kiat can upload some simple maps or directions to your place?

cheers
rich

Post by **perseid** » Sat Nov 27, 2004 2:27 am

Language shouldn't be a problem while in Penang. Although, people speak mostly hokkien, but ordering food or getting service using other languages should not be a problem nowdays, thanks to flood of cantonese series. Or simply use english, although you may need to "pay" more, when they realised you're out of town.
Cab suppose to use meter. That's all I can say, as I don't take cab. But it's good just to ask for the price before going into one.

Sam,
The apartment is called vistana. Try this website
http://www.penang-hotels.com/vistana/

Another low cost motel is Seri Malaysia. Just a few kilometers away.

I couldn't find a good map on line. I think when you guys are coming down, I'll give a decription of the route and I'll meet up with you guys. The university is actually located just off Penang Bridge.

Let me know if any of you need any assistance. I'll be glad to help.