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Dalby Forest Starfest 2014 (Aug 22nd-24th) organised by Scarborough & Ryedale AS


AndyExton

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Details have now been released for the 14th annual "Starfest" starcamp organised by Scarborough & Ryedale Astronomical Society. The 3 day event takes place in Adderstone Field, Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire between Friday 22nd and Sunday 24th August (Bank Holiday Weekend). Astronomers from across the UK attend this event to take advantage of the dark skies in the North York Moors National Park and the forest has recently been awarded "Milky Way class" of the Dark Sky Discovery status.

For those who have not attended Dalby previously, please note the facilities are basic! Its all about the quality of the skies.

Guest speakers for the weekend will be announced in due course as they are confirmed.

More information and a booking form can be downloaded from the Scarborough & Ryedale AS website (http://www.scarborough-ryedale-as.org.uk/saras/starfest/starfest-2014/). 

The society can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.  To avoid confusion with other events using the name Starfest, we have opted for an offical hashtag for this years event of #DalbyStarfest14.

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  • 2 weeks later...
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HI Jonathan

there are no facilities for charging batteries at the site, personally i take a very large leisure battery 100 A/H and keep it topped up with a 13 watt solar panel. the weekend is great, right in the middle of Dalby forest with very dark sky's. this will be my 14th year and have enjoyed each one.   

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Hi Jonathan.  Yes I can confirm what Mark says that there is absolutely no electric on the field so no facility to top up batteries on site.  As Mark suggests though a solar panel is an option and we always see Mark with his outside at every opportunity.  

BTW Nice to see you on SGL Mark.  Any further extensions to your already enormous tent this year?  :)

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Hello Andy

Just found this forum its really great , so far only giving a bit of advice on little fuzzy blobs as its my thing. On the equipment side looks like Skywatcher have taken over the world, not a lot of people with a Vixen GPDX setup , will be "up north" again at Easter.

Mark

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On the equipment side looks like Skywatcher have taken over the world, not a lot of people with a Vixen GPDX setup , will be "up north" again at Easter.

Its a nice mount the Vixen of yours.  Probably doesn't have the issue I had last week where I had to dismantle my NEQ6 to be able to remove a bent latitude adjustment bolt.  All back together now though!  Will hopefully bump into you whilst you are up this direction.

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Hi Jonathan,

I do rather praise Dalby don't I ? Pick your spot in the sky on a crisp dry night and it could be as good as anywhere in the country.

I managed two full nights of imaging from two leisure batteries last year. The one downside is that you won't have any error time available. Use the power very wisely and make sure that if you have dew heaters on that you actually need them.

There is a visitor centre that does excellent coffees and breakfasts. I go every morning and, coincidently, there are power points round the room. ( Well I never... ) Due to the fact that I have to plug in the netbook to stack, it's normally fully charged when I walk out. I have also been known to plug my DSLR battery in as well.

Dave.

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Jonathan: Thanks. We will confirm your booking within a few days.  Look forward to seeing you in August.

Dave: The Visitor Centre will have a new look for you this year.  It is currently closed for a refurbishment with the cafe area now moving downstairs.

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Quick update on Dalby Starfest 14.  Bookings continue to arrive regularly so the event is gradually filling up and still around 3 months to go.

Confirmed guest speakers....

Stuart Atkinson (Eddington AS) - "A Tourist Guide to the Solar System"

Paul Money - "The Gems of Scorpius and Sagittarius"

Confirmed vendors.....

Grovers of Northallerton.

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This looks interesting - and hopefully will be drier than the last events I booked! Looks as if I'll have to think about my power supply though - a 17a power tank looks little on the small side!

Never been to Dalby forest so this will be fun. I'll have to clear with my wife, and if there are any places left I'll send out a booking form/cheque on Tuesday when back at work.

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This looks interesting - and hopefully will be drier than the last events I booked! Looks as if I'll have to think about my power supply though - a 17a power tank looks little on the small side!

Never been to Dalby forest so this will be fun. I'll have to clear with my wife, and if there are any places left I'll send out a booking form/cheque on Tuesday when back at work.

Hi Mark.

Yes places still available if cleared with the wife.

Normal to see leisure batteries rolling up for the weekend in car boots as much longer operation than the power tanks.

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I would really like to attend this event, but after the last couple of star parties i am reluctant to go to any camping event that needs booking months in advance.........getting fed up with throwing tents away

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Hi Mark.

Yes places still available if cleared with the wife.

Normal to see leisure batteries rolling up for the weekend in car boots as much longer operation than the power tanks.

Hi Andy - now cleared with my wife, so I'll make send out the booking form/cheque on Tuesday. Looking forward to it as its not a part of the world I really know.

(I feel your pain Jules - been a fair few washouts recently!)

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Hi Andy - now cleared with my wife, so I'll make send out the booking form/cheque on Tuesday. Looking forward to it as its not a part of the world I really know.

Hi Mark.  You should receive some confirmation within a few days of booking.  Look forward to meeting you in August.

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