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

Nice1 Guys..(Dave-John)

Plz post yer outcome from those meetings
regarding this event back here as i will be
ready to go with the distribution of the fliers
to individual clubs..
I will also get in contact with Ronan Newman-GAC
and Gordon Lalor-SAC.

I am still awaiting a response from Julie from the emails
I sent her.. So if anyone out there has a contact number
for Julie would they plz P.M it to me as I really believe
this type of event is long over due for this country..
And now that we boast the only Gold Tier Dark Sky site
in Europe, It would be a shame to not have something like this
once a year..

Also the dates I picked are for 2 reasons

1: It is the start of Autumn, not to long after Summer so good chance
of better skies.
2: The weekends I picked fall around the time of new Moon, Where we have
the opportunity to take advantage of the lack of light, Also to catch those elusive southerly constellations
like Sagittarius-Capricornus and a few of those famous clusters.

Regards
Roy Stewart #ClearSkies #LunarNut

There has been a trickle of interest up here since I put it on the website a while ago, so we should be able to get a few down.
I'll wait to hear the results of your discussions before going back to those who have expressed an interest.

Just one thing. If we approach a particular hostel or campsite, and ask about a weekend star party or observing session, and they refuse us because we may disturb other guests, then that would make the whole idea of getting dark sky status pretty pointless. Surely the main reason for getting the status was to attract astronomers to the area. And astronomers do tend to have an alarming tendency to be out after dark.
We don't want to go in there with wellies kicking all round the place, but on the other hand, we don't want to be told to go away and come back in January when there is nobody else there.

It will be interesting to see how this pans out.

Totally agree with you Stevie..

It is after all an Astronomical dark sky reserve,
So I believe the locals and other guests would
have a fair idea what time Astronomers get to bed..

And we really don't hold that many ravers and keggers...
We set up, do a night full of observing and then hit the bed.
Can't see that being a distraction to the locals(not even the wildlife).

Cheers
Roy Stewart #ClearSkies #LunarNut

Hi Guys..

Here is a look at a recent astrocamp in the
UK...
Found it up on my twitter page.
This is what it'll be like..(looks good to me)

Hi all,

This is a great idea and something we should do more of. I've flagged it up for discussion at the IAA Council meeting later in the month and will report back. Timing's not so good for us, we are celebrating our 40th birthday so will be devoting considerable effort to that in the same timeframe, but equally that doesn't rule anything out.

Clear skies,

Paul.

Hi Paul..

Congrats on yer 40th anniversary, Most make ye
1 of the longest running amateur astronomy club in
the country.. I know a few clubs(like S.A.C & G.A.C) are coming up on 30yrs..
What better way to celebrate it than doing what amateur
astronomers love to do, viewing the heavens from Europes
only Gold Tier Dark Sky site.
Should this event go ahead it would be great to see ye
there and congratulate ye all in person on yer dedication to the hobby
of amateur astronomy..

Regards
Roy Stewart #ClearSkies #LunarNut