First Star Party of 2008!

[Pavan Keshavamurthy]

The Bangalore Astronomical Society is happy to bring you the first star party of the International Year of Astronomy. This will be conducted at a remotely located resort in Coorg where we expect to have decent skies.

More details on the event: http://www.bas.org.in/Home/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1
Online Registration: http://www.bas.org.in/Home/civicrm/event/register?id=1&reset=1

Please hurry up with the registrations. We'll be limiting the final count of registrants anywhere between 20 and 30 depending upon the availability of accommodation. Feel free to spread the word, and get your friends to sign up as well.

Quick bunch of FAQs

What is a star party?

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_Party

What will be our agenda during this session?

a) Observe and introduce people to night sky observing: Constellations, Deep Sky Objects, Planets, et al.
b) Basics of telescopic observing and astrophotography
c) Useful and productive discussions - esp in the context of taking astronomy to the common man, and outreach (this being the International Year of Astronomy), as to spread awareness about (amateur) astronomy, both as a hobby and a science.
d) Get to know each other and connect more cohesively as a hobby / interest group.

I'm a beginner and know nothing of astronomy and I have no astronomy related equipment either. Can I still come?

Absolutely. Reaching out to the casual / neo enthusiast of the like of you is one of our motives.

What is the budget for this trip?

About Rs 1500. This might increase or decrease depending upon the total number of registrants. Additional deficits will have to be paid if any. Refunds will be given in case the event works out cheaper than our estimations. Accounts will be provided post-event transparently. (Please also refer to the rule list regarding this on the event announcement page)
Please be absolutely sure before your register. You may have to forfeit this amount in case you need to back out. 

What if it rains? or if it's cloudy or something.

Can't help it. Nature and weather (and their extremes) are harsh realities in astronomy. We've chosen the best of the months for the session (January is amongst the best seasons for astronomical observing), but we may be unable to do anything about things beyond our control. Please stay positive.

Is Transport being arranged?

Indeed. Please mention expressly in your registration on whether or not you need transport for yourself or your equipment. The vehicle will be decided depending upon the final count of people signed up.

What's the agenda apart from astronomy?

BAS doesn't undertake responsibility for any non-astronomy events. But we'll care to mention that Coorg is place of immense natural scenic beauty. For the naturalist or the adventurer there're plenty of things to do (including canoeing, rapelling, trekking et al) in and around the resort we're staying at.

Last date for registrations?

Closes on 15th, or when the available slots are filled. (We expect the latter to be the case, So please hurry up)

I've got a question apart from all the aforementioned.

Sure. Please ping us here on this list or privately on info at bas dot org in. We'll be happy to answer you.

Apart: Reports from a couple of our previous star parties (fond memories!)

http://www.bas.org.in/Home/posts/2007/16/04/report-yelagiri-star-party
http://www.bas.org.in/Home/posts/2007/14/11/report-star-party-om-shanti-dhama
http://www.bas.org.in/Home/posts/2007/21/12/report-star-party-hampi
http://www.bas.org.in/Home/posts/2008/16/01/report-tanastro-bas-star-party-ramanjeri-thiruvallur

 

--
_PK
Skype: pavankeshavamurthy
http://grahana.net/

[Amar Sharma]

I would surely love to be part of this, and would be joining, assuming I would be having a holiday then. I would want to estimate the condition of the skies here too, as part of the personal astro-trekking initiative I have undertaken. Lets make it BIG! Thanking You. Amar. --- On Mon, 1/5/09, Pavan Keshavamurthy <pavan.k...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Pavan Keshavamurthy]

http://www.bas.org.in/Home/civicrm/event/participant?reset=1&id=1
We have 8 registrants already. Please hurry up. We may have to close registrations early.

2009/1/5 Amar Sharma <amar_u...@yahoo.com>

[Amar Sharma]

I forgot to mention earlier. I can get the binocs and p-mount (posted in yesterday's link) to Coorg. There is some final correction to be done before it gets the 'useable' status. The views through giant binocs are breath-taking and the ease and versitality of moving the mount is also amazing.

[Naveen Nanjundappa]

Hi All,

 

Thanks for your interest and registration to the star party @ coorg.

As of now we have about 15 members registered.

The last date for registration is 15th Jan 2009. So if you are interested Please do register online. We look forward for more BAS members to utilize this oppertunity.

Please feel free to contact Pavan or me ( 9980505003) if you need any details on the trip.

 

Thanks,

Naveen.

[Pavan Keshavamurthy]

Alert People!

Nearly 20 people signed up. We are arranging a 22 seater vehicle, so we have space for just one more person!
Please go sign up ASAP or care to tell your somebody who might be interested.

http://www.bas.org.in/Home/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=1

2009/1/12 Naveen Nanjundappa <naveen.na...@gmail.com>

[Amar Sharma]

What is the final update? What is the schedule and pick up points? When will Naveen or Pavan be putting it up? I have my two pairs of mounts and binocs (25x100 and 20x80) kept at Mekhri Circle, it needs to be picked up from there (after a final round of repair). ************** Amar A. Sharma Bangalore Astronomical Society BAS (www.bas.org.in) Signature : Oh... we astronomers have seen, and are still seeing far deep into space, closer to God with just with 2 material eyes...I wonder what we all would start seeing with our third cosmic eye, still closed and ignorant!

[Pavan Keshavamurthy]

Amar

All updates / broadcasts will be sent to the registrants by email. They won't be posted here. Please reply when we do that.

Thanks
_Pavan

2009/1/22 Amar Sharma <amar_u...@yahoo.com>