Star-party at National Space Center Elfordstown Cork

Hi
I'm not a member of any society but i was wondering if anybody else thinks that a starparty at the National Space Center Elfordstown would be great idea. I have been up there a couple of times and every time I think it would be a brilliant place for a star-party its amazing. you have a fairly dark site with a clear run of the sky apart from the dishes. I'm sure if someone talked to the people at Blackrock Observatory it could be organised.
Here's hoping.
Ciaran.

Hi

I doubt it very much, our club were the first group allowed into the actual enclosure and security is a high priority as the dishes are extremely expensive, the site is also run by a private company.

Ronan Newman
Galway AC

It was my understanding that the dish was bought by cit in conjunction with Blackrock Observatory and that both would run it but i have been known to be wrong.
Ciaran

Sounds interesting Ciaran, have you a contact you can ask more information about such a venture down there?

Seanie.

Hi Ciaran,

It is a private company that owns the site and dishes.

CIT and BRO do not own the site or dishes. However, CIT/BRO funded the horn antenna for 10k euros.

I understand that the main dishes may be used for space debris research within a EU project plus other projects in Astrophysics.


Eamonn A
www.kingslandobservatory.com

Anyways it doesn't matter who owns it (i was wrong :blush: ) it's as cool as hell and it would be a great spot for a Starparty even if it was in the field beside it. I dont know anybody involved ill ask next time im in BCO so i guess this is where it will end for the time being.
Ciaran