First "Skelligs Star Party" August 22nd/23rd 2014

To all IFAS Members..

I have been thinking about this for a very long time
and now I finally have to put it out there..

I believe that we here in Ireland don't hold enough weekend
observing sessions... I am not affiliated to any club so this is not club motivated
it is being done purely from a passion for observing..
I know that we don't get that many clear skies but surely over the weekend we would get some nice
breaks in the clouds..
I have been talking with Stephen from Ktec telescope and Dave Connolly of the Midlands astronomy club
about this but now I'm throwing it out there into the IFAS Ether.

It is now a major possibility now that we have an official dark sky site in South Kerry..
So tidy up the tents and sleeping bags. Clean the BBQ's and Collimate your scope
cause this type of event is truly overdue.

PLZ send me your feedback on this as I believe this is obtainable.

Regards
Roy Stewart

Crazy Observational Astronomer and Lunar Nut

Definitely sounds like a plan. I know Michael O Connell and Dave were talking about this too, so lets pick a weekend, and get down there and have a bit of craic.

I'd be on for this.

The Dublin Stargazers have a thread about this but only two members (myself included) have expressed an interest.

I second Stephen's idea. Pick a weekend and go for it.

I'll link to this thread in the Stargazers thread.

Michael.

Sounds good Roy, thanks for volunteering in organising it!

I talked to Albert White and Terry Moseley on the day South Kerry got their endorsement and there are plans for perhaps an ILPAC+IFAS event, but I don't know at what stage it is at. I do know that early September was mooted as a date as heading into Summer it doesn't favour much night time observing, and the skies get a little hazy when clear, too.

I'd be up for any trip.

Seanie.

Hi Seanie.

I totally agree with you about sometime in Sept as we get the dark
skies back around then... I was thinking sometime around an early or late Crescent Moon
and looking at Starry Night Pro 6 there is a nice waning Crescent on Fri 19th Sept..
I was think we cant totally exclude the Moon as I know a lot of observers out there(I.E myself)
love a bit of lunar imaging and viewing..

If this ball is to get rolling (and I don't mind spearheading the project if ye want)
But we need to see who wants on-board.. Maybe organize a meeting between clubs
and hash out some ideas. If all goes well it could become a big annual event.
An astronomical event to put Ireland on the radar of the Astronomical community.

Regards
Roy Stewart #LunarNut

Sounds like a great idea, I just signed up via Michael's link.

Looking at the Kerry Dark Sky website, it certainly looks to be an ideal location, I really like the images from the beach. I know sand, wind and telescopes are not a nice combination, but that would make a truly wonderful location.

Paul