Australia Star Party Picture Chronicles (SVSP March Season)

[rcj]

Hi guys,

Managed to find some time off from work to attend a recent star party in the state of Victoria - the Snake Valley Star Party. SVSP is one of the smaller star parties held bi-annually in Australia, with one in November and the second one in March. This is my second time attending, and have decided to write a report on the star party experiences (and sights!). It was a 5D4N event but I chose to stay for the first three nights (can't afford to take too many days of leave). But of these three nights, three were basically clear throughout.

The first night had some high passing cirrus, but it was only during the earlier part of the evening. The second and third nights were very clear with the Coalsack structure effortlessly obvious and the huge and wide-spanning Milky Way etched across from the south eastern end to the opposite horizon at one point in the night. Daytime temperatures were a norminal 25ish degrees but in the night, it could come as close to 5 degrees. It was way too cold for me, but can imagine the CCD camera screaming with delight working at an average of 18% power. This star party saw an attendance of about 25 people. Though small for a typical star party, it was easier to socially interact with everyone, and there was time to chat and know one another better throughout the course of the star party, and even exchange image processing tips. There were about 8 astrophotographers on site, but mainly using DSLRs as their imaging tool. One even had the DSLR retrofitted with the ExCooler, which is a Korean-based cooling device fixed to the side of the DSLR body lowering its operating temperature, resulting in noise-free images.

There were an array of telescopes of various optical designs, from the Dobsonian to a Russian Klevtsov. The SDM range of dobsonian telescopes seem to be a popular option and choice for the Australians. The manufacturer's (SDM) brainchild, Peter Read, makes some fine truss dob structures but usually for above 20inches in aperture. He seem to make an average of 4-5 telescopes per year, and allows more flexibility in construction options than competing equivalents, according to the locals.

The Argo Navis system was also a common digital DSC tool for object finding amongst the community. Most of them brought along a great deal of creature comforts out to the field, from a pet dog to huge caravans, complex and comfy tents, desks, chairs, screens, computers, BBQ tools, and more! Everyone was all out to make the star party environment as enjoyable and comfortable as possible, despite the cold temperatures in the night.

There was also a scheduled Saturday dinner feast, that comprises of a good 'ol Australian-styled cuisine complete with a huge selection of desserts to end off with. There was also a noticeably reduced usage of green lasers as the state of Victoria is quite strict on its usage (you have to apply for a permit to bring one in). All in all, the entire star party was hell'of a fun time, with many cracking jokes, telling stories and experiences, and even making burps and farts throughout....could not help but break out in bouts of laughter throughout the night when it happened.... and not forgetting some getting high on alcohol! haha....

Without further a do, here are some pictures plus accompanying descriptions:


Tents galore! and BLUEE.....


Geoff's 15inch SDM dobsonian (with FeatherTouch focuser). Heard that the scope was customized to the owner's height plus added wheel castors for transport convenience. Geoff is able to single-handedly setup the scope all by himself!


Martin fiddling with this EQ6 mount setup preparing for a full night of imaging!


Doug (standing) helping Pete to setup his TOA130F+G11Gemini combo. Pete has a modified 400D with the ExCooler device. He also has the full 67 format reducer for his TOA. Drool....


John is a Takahashi fan and has a FS128 (at home) and the TSA102 shown here. Notice his shrouded computer system.


An evening overview of the star party grounds with the Lightbridge Dob in the foreground.


Ken's Russian Klevtsov. F10. Ken has previously done some amazing detailed DSO work with a modded Toucam! He is also the main organiser for SVSP.


Skywatchers' the name of the game!


Doug's car and caravan! complete with bed and kitchen!


Eric and his Argo Navis jewel! He just bought a Pentax DSLR and was eagerly trying out his new toy during SVSP.


Our power source!


SVSP bunk houses. Mine's numbered 7!


Image processing deep in concentration and discussion.... hmmm....seen something familiar?


Daniel getting a little full after downing the Coke.


Doug's cute dog. He's cool with all humans. ;P


Ken, about to down everything on the table......


Come on guys, give me one more piece!


Rob and Ken discussing about an astrophoto.

[starfinder]

That's a very interesting report, Remus!

Was about to email you to find out how it went. Good to hear you had so many clear nights. The photo essay on the scopes is a good read!

Could tell us a bit more about the observing experience? e.g. Magellanic clouds, Tarantula, Milky Way, etc. And how about the Emu? We don't mind being envious! Was the central buldge in the Teapot area high overhead? That must have been a sight to behold!

How would you compare the skies at the SVSP you just attended to the very best at Telok Sari in the past 10 years? In terms of clarity, contrast of Milky Way, etc.

Were there any visible light domes from Melbourne or other towns? How far is the site from Melbourne centre?

I think they are so lucky in Australia to have easy access to dark skies, and to have so many cloud free nights too.

Also, I think that in the West they are generally very well organised with their star parties and in setting up their ob sites, what with sheds and kitchens and toilet facilities, etc.

Over here in Singapore, the past 10 days have on the whole been a lot more cloud free than on average. Early March was quite bad. Last week Wednesday night was quite remarkable, very unusually clear and dry skies.

[rcj]

Hi Gavin,

Yeah, it was in general a very good personal experience. But being the second time on site at the star party location and also a number of other times in Snake Valley in another part, I may have gotten used to the celestial environment and may have forgotten how the skies looked back in Malaysia enough to make a detailed comparison. But I did remember (and also wondered) that the Coalsack stuck out like a sore thumb against the Milky Way band stars. Even the Orion and Canis Major subtle tapestries were plainly obvious. The Clouds were very well defined too, but being in 37S, there is the added advantage of greater altitude for definition and constrast. I still cannot imagine the exact profile of the Emu! haha.... Sagittarius did not get to rise too high before it was dawn, and during the hours of 3-5, it was getting real cold, and we had local fog over the lake which added to the lowering temperatures. I am embarassed to say that most of the time when the camera is imaging, I am taking short naps in the bunk houses for 1-2 hours periodically, especially during the 2nd to 3rd nights. SVSP location is about 50km from the closest town of Ballarat. Snake Valley is roughly in between Ararat and Ballarat. And Ballarat itself is about an hour plus train ride from Melbourne. Distance wise, maybe 150km, not too sure. We can still see a faint light dome from Ballarat from the site, but it was not too disturbing. Stars were also stable and shone consistently. 1st and 3rd night had better seeing. What impressed me was how deep cutting and clear the dark adsorption components were in the Milky Way...especially those around Scorpius and to the left of Alpha Centauri...near Ara. Some of the locals were imaging really cool stuff like Abell Clusters, etc. I stuck to the obvious targets since I did not have a finderscope. Also agree with your sentiments on the locals being very well organised with their parties. The toilets are also very clean and tidy. No smell, etc. But we have to remember the environment is dry and non-humid unlike in the tropics. I am still amazed with their tents too. Feel like buying one to bring home. They have many more varieties/material choices in this respect. The site also has a common hall where everyone could relax and eat, or seek refuge from the cold. There is an adjacent full featured kitchen complete with three big fridges (to keep our foods for other meals to be self-provided), stoves, all forms of utensils and cutlery, etc. They even have an old but functional piano there!

On another note, I am thinking of heading to the South Pacific Star Party next. It seems another Malaysian astronomer is going as well. May liase with him. But am also thinking twice because of the cold and the logistics. Will see.