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2012 Solar Eclipse preparation
Terry Cuttle from the AAQ gave a fascinating talk on how to prepare effectively for the upcoming solar eclipse in 2012. Where are the best observing locations, how to avoid the inevitable high tides along the beaches, and also avoid major events like the Cairns Marathon.
Terry's "2012 Eclipse Info PDF" can be found on the AAQ home page.
Other useful links are:
• NASA Eclipse website
• Jay Anderson’s eclipse weather site
• Xavier Jubier Google Earth kmz eclipse track files
• HMNAO eclipse website
• Ice In Space 2012 Eclipse Information
• Joe Cali’s 2012 eclipse website
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Project Lego-scope
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if kids could look through a scope which was built for THEM?
Well...soon they will!!! The Brisbane Astronomical Society is creating a telescope
made out of Lego, and at a scale which is child friendly. They’ll learn all about “how it works”, because all the interior optical parts will be clearly visible.
Members can become involved in “Project Lego Scope” in a number of ways.
They can:
• be part of the “optics design” team
• join the “lego build group”
• donate Lego blocks. A collection container can be
found at members meetings.
• donate money in order to buy Lego blocks.
• donate optical parts E.g. Primary mirror, eyepiece etc.
READ MORE
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Mega-prize giveaway
How would you like have the entire flown Space Shuttle mission patches hanging on your wall!!! Starting NOW, every time a member participates in a club activity or contributes some way to the club...they receive an entry into the end of year Mega-prize draw.
Club involvement:
Every time a member contributes something to the club they get an entry into the draw. E.g.
• Do a presentation on an astronomy topic.
• Get up and share something new you ’ve seen or experienced.
• Pay your membership fee
• Attend a meeting, Hazeldean, Mt Coot-tha night, school night, Star BQ
• Join the committee
• Donate equipment
• …basically anything that contributes some way to the club.
Specifications:
• Roughly 132 patches
• Picture of the space shuttle
• Framed (dimension yet to be decided).
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Telescope price and service comparisons
Tony Samson and Peter T shared their recent telescope purchasing experiences. While all stores stocked the same items, cost and delivery periods were the main reasons for their choice of supplier.
Tony purchased his 10" Skywatcher with NEQ6 pro mount from the Astroguy in Perth. He was the cheapest on price, and he found the staff very helpful and experienced. Because the Astroguy is a "web based" store, the items took approximately a week to be delivered. The price was $1999 + $100 delivery.
Peter T purchased his 12" Skywatcher with NEQ6 pro mount from Star Optics on the Gold Coast. The owner Lex was very helpful and his regular price was within $99 of the Astroguys. He even reduced the price by a further $49 to be even more competitive.
The final cost comparison for the 12" scope was:
• Astroguy $2600 + $100 delivery = $2700
• Star Optics $2750
• Sirius Optics $3288
Store links:
www.theastroguy.com.au
www.staroptics.com.au
www.sirius-optics.com.au
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Trevor Barry DVD - From Broken Hill to the Kecks
Members were given a copy of the presentation Trevor Barry gave at Qld Astrofest 2010 about his incredible life journey from being a mine worker in Broken Hill to having the opportunity to be part of a research team at the Keck telescopes in Hawaii.
Trevor talks us through the details of how one night his whole life was transformed when he was given the opportunity to peer through a co-workers telescope. He couldn't believe what he was seeing..."this guy must be having me on. This can't be real...there must be a photo or a slide inserted somewhere."
He was then hooked on Astronomy. After purchasing his own telescope he wanted to know a lot more about the objects in his eye piece. He enrolled in an Astronomy degree at Swinburne University and graduated with honors. After many media appearances, he was asked to join a team headed for the Kecks.
Trevor also presents photos and animations of his discoveries, and explains how an amateur astronomer can contribute data to scientific studies all over the world...including the NASA Cassini mission.
Photos and animations of Trevor's observations can be found at trevsastronomy.webs.com
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