[RASC Hamilton Special Announcement] Starfest Invitation

[Gary Bennett]

Hi Everyone,

 

Consider this as a special invitation to join fellow club members at
Starfest. While this is not officially a RASC Hamilton Event, several of our
members are Starfest regulars.

 

What is Starfest? It is a "star party" (camping with your telescope) and is
ranked in the top 10 star parties in the world! Starfest typically enjoys
attendance of 500-700 astronomers who bring out telescopes of every shape
and size. There are formal lectures and commercial exhibitors and you are
among hundreds of people who share the love of our hobby. Member Gary
Colwell is one of the guest lecturers and will be presenting "Bassackward
Astrophotography".

 

For more information about Starfest (including registration), visit:
<http://www.nyaa.ca/index.php?page=/sf12/sf.home12>
http://www.nyaa.ca/index.php?page=/sf12/sf.home12

 

So far have at least 6 club members who will be forming an "observing
corral". If you would like to join the gang, contact me directly and we'll
do our best to rope off a spot for you to erect your tent.

 

Officially, Starfest opens on Thursday August 16, but many people chose to
arrive early. Several of us will be there on Monday August 13. Most years,
the scramble for good camping spots begins on the Wednesday. We will try and
"rope-off" a spot for you, but that will be difficult to do after the
scramble begins. The earlier you can get there the better!

 

Starfest Tips: Aside from a tent and observing gear, there are some "must
haves" that include:

.         Extension cords (really long ones) and a power-bar. (you must
purchase AC power when you register).

.         A waterproof tarp and bungee cords to cover your telescope 

.         A way to power stuff when the AC power goes out. A big car battery
is a wise choice. Use the battery at night and recharge during the day.

.         The observing field has no trees! You will need shelter from the
sun. Your tent will become unbearably hot!

.         The park has good facilities: Showers (bring a supply of loonies
to feed the shower), a swimming pool, lots of portable toilets (they even
smell nice!) and wash stations, a simple food (burgers & such).

.         ARRIVE WELL BEFORE SUNSET. Finding us, and setting up in the dark
is impossible. You will NOT be permitted to use white light while setting
up! Other people will be rushing to get ready for observing and help will be
hard to find.

.         Bring proper RED flashlights. White light make fellow astronomers
"vocally violent"! Read your car owners manual to learn how to turn-off
interior lights so they don't turn on when the door opens and do NOT use
remote control to lock/un-lock your car.

.         Leave pets at home!

.         BBQ's and optics do NOT play nice! 

.         Bring a light jacket AND a Winter Parka! Even if it's 20C you
won't last long once your core body temperature cools down.

.         Green lasers are reserved laser writing on the clouds (let's hope
we won't be playing with our green lasers). 

 

I have attached 2 photos that will help you find us. Our spot is not too far
from the main presentation tent. Just drive all the way inside the park
until you get to the big tent and then get out of your car and walk up the
hill and you will find 2 Coleman blue and white sun screen tents parked next
to each other. That is us!

 

Hope to see you there!

 

  Gary Bennett

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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