HI!

Hello all, my introduction...
Been a stargazer for years but not too sure what I'm looking at half the time, so finally I've decided to take action.
I live in Dublin 18, skies aren't terribly dark but can be incredible after a five minute drive, so I'm lucky in that regard.
I have a couple of scopes, an 8inch Newtonian and a 4inch spotting scope, I also have binoculars (which I prefer to use) 15x75's and 25x100's. All are Celestron. The binoculars are great to use for their portability, there are too many of those awful orange street lights in my area lately for me to get full potential from the scopes, the 8inch in particular as it's very awkward to move. So I take the binoculars and off I go on my 5 minute drive.
I don't really like to be out at night alone though (I'm female) and I'm wondering if I can get any information here on clubs and events in my area so I can stargaze safely and also with people who can tell me what I'm looking at!

I did read about a whirlpool star party in the sky at night magazine, but was disappointed when I realised that the mag was a year out of date! Is this a yearly event?
Also, an internet colleague told me months ago about a barbeque in roundwood, astronomy orientated, is this also a yearly thing? have I missed any of these things for this year?
I am hopeful about the whirlpool one, in the magazine, it was held in october. Is it yet to come?
Barbeque sounds great too but I'm sure that would have been already held, bit late in the year for that!
I'd appreciate any info you guys can pass on so I can get down to using my toys to their full potential!

Please don't reply telling me to look it up on the site, I'm reading as much as I can and haven't gotten to what I want yet, although, I am enjoying myself..
Great site here!

Welcome aboard Budz!!
Astronomy is very active in Dublin.
There are plenty of people in the Dublin area who will be able to help you who I am sure will post here with club information and observing sites. A list of clubs and contacts in on the front of the IFAS boards home page.
The Whirlpool star party is on in Birr in October (annual event). Have a look at www.shannonsideastronomy.com for details.
Astronomy Ireland are holding a star-b-que this month in Roundwood. Details are on their site ( www.astronomy.ie ) and you can get tickets on line. Its a fully catered event.

Ooops ! I missed your last line in you message. Here are the details on the star parties (from the websites)

The Whirlpool Star Party - 5th to 7th October 2007

Irelands premier amateur astronomical event,
will take place once again this year at Dooly's hotel, Birr, Co. Offaly.


Dr. John Mason Galactic Supernovae and their remnants.

Dr. Aaron Golden Are brown dwarves, stars, pulsars or planets?

Dr. Chris Lintott Bang ! - Cosmological knowns and unknowns.

Dr. Caitriona Jackman Unveiling the mysteries of the outer planets.

Sue French
(Sky & Telescope) Rosse's Nebulae.

Dr. Peter Gallagher Living with a star.

Kevin Nolan Mars,
a cosmic stepping stone.

Dave McDonald Science in amateur astronomy


Astronomy Ireland Star-B-Que
Star-B-Q 8th September 2007
Roundwood Co Wicklow
(01) 847 0777 or use their website


Hope this helps.

Hi John, thanks for the nice welcome!
I had a look at both sites you suggested and am thrilled that there are at least two upcoming events I can attend (they look good too).
Wow! Chris Lintott in Birr castle. That's a "must get to" event indeed. I've been looking at him on the sky at night for years.
Also, the star-B-Q in roundwood, I saw Leo Enright lined up for that one and with a 3D display too, Impressive!
I'm actually not too far from roundwood so that'll be an easy one to get to. Birr on the other hand is quite a distance, but a worthy drive in my opinion.
Are there any posts here about these two? reviews of past events etc. nothing like reading someone's experiences to see if they're ok.

I'm kind of hesitating booking tickets for now, to be honest, I'll be travelling alone and don't like the idea of standing about with no one to talk to, are people friendly at these events? I'm a bit shy in real life and not so good at just approaching people and from all my reading here, I have noticed a bit of tension between some clubs.
If I attend one event is it a good idea to keep that to myself or can it be discussed openly at the other?

Also, is it a good idea to bring my own equipment? On the astronomy Ireland web site it says that all scopes are provided, didn't see that on the shannonside one.

Sorry for all the questions, it's all probably written in here somewhere already.
Thanks

Hi,
As for the booking tickets for the WSP, there's no need, you just pay as you enter, no one has ever been turned away.

Many people bring scopes along to the observing sessions at the WSP, so there will be good range of many types there, this is great especially for people on the verge of changing their scope or getting a new one as they can see what to expect, most if not all people are very generous with their scopes and allow anyone a good look through their scope, some of the more impressive scopes might have a small que, but you will get your turn.
We do not allow anyone to charge to look through a scope and entrance to the castle grounds is free for the observing events.

As for what you can and cannot say on this site, you can say whatever you want so long as it's true, decent and fair, as per the website rules.

The club is considering using name tag stickers for the WSP so that you can put your name on it, this way people know who others are.

As for tension, there is no tension between any of the IFAS clubs, so far as I know. :lol:

Hi Dave, thanks for the info.
Good to hear no booking required, although I don't really see that aspect as being problematic.
Do some people actually charge to see through scopes? That kind of takes away from the spirit of things and is a bit nasty especially if you have paid a fee already.
I'm thinking of bringing my big binoculars, but would really enjoy big scope viewing under dark skies too! Greedy, I know but hey! and I'm patient, so a queue won't deter me at all.

When I asked about whether I could mention being at other star parties, I didn't really mean here on the site. I was really just wondering if people would shun me if I mentioned being elsewhere.
I definitely did see some sort of ill feelings in relation to another club here on the site. I have read a lot over the last day so don't ask for specifics, but it did stand out in my mind, think it was one in Galway.
I would just hate to go along all cheerful and merry, mention something in conversation and then get the cold treatment as a result. That would be dreadful as I would like to attend for the full weekend star party in Birr.
Now that I have your assurances I'm definitely up for it, but first... The star-B-Q, it's next saturday, anyone been to one, what is it like?

On a different note... Name stickers would be a great idea, I actually would have thought it was a must with so many people around.


Thanks again Dave!

p.s. are there any gatherings just for stargazing in the Dublin area, minus talks, food etc.?