South Pacific Star Party

Hi

Just returned from the 2012 South Pacific Star Party organised by the Astronomical Society of New South Wales. This is the largest star party of its type in Australia, and attracts a few hundred people from all over the world. It is at Wiruna, about a 3 hour drive north west of Sydney at the clubs observing site (of which I am a member).
I only managed to attend one day and night due to work committments. The weather had been a bit iffy up to Saturday, but Saturday night turned out to be an awesome night. I have never seen such dark skies. The new 12" Dob came into life showing detail I could only photograph before, nebulosity and dark lanes almost everywhere. Even my Lidl 10x50s gave great views.
I have attached a few pics from the event. I hope to get up there once a month now to do some astrophotography. The site has great facilities (toilets, showers, full kitchen,meeting hall with open heaters, power (solar) and plenty of camping space.

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looks like an awesome site, good hard surface with great skies and surroundings.
wish I had been there !!

Wow, that looks good.
Dark sits, southern sky, plenty of big dobs - what more could you ask for.

Wow. Looks like an amazing place. Delighted for you John! The star trail shot is well cool.

Looks like a good event John, some impressive scopes (inclusing an Obsession?) there. Glad you were able to go. Do they have lectures like we would here or was it a real star party?

Seanie.

Hi Seanie

They have lectures and workshops during the day. All very informal though and interactive as well as competitions on astrophotography and sketching etc.... They have a main building , basically just a big tin shed but they set up a big marquee for the event. I saw this at the ice In space event also (I have some pictures). Neat idea and no hotel bills if you don't mind camping or bringing your own camper van. Scopes are left set up all day in the observing field.
Hell, they even converted a caravan Into to a bar for the event.