Astro camp newbie

[Cjg]

Evening,

I've booked to attend my first Astro camp this September at Brecon.

Am not worried about the camping side of things, as I used to do a lot of backpacking and still have the kit, but, not camped with my scope before, so any advice, recommendations would be welcome.

The camp will be more "boot packing" than back packing, so if from your experience etc that there's something to pack, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks in advance.

Chris

[Charic]

Red tape to cover the boot interior lights, if working from the car. Or just change the bulbs. Not the first time I have opened my boot at a dark site, and forgot to look away, good job I was alone.

Im sure some avid star party attendees will offer all the best advice you need shortly. Enjoy your trip!

[brantuk]

Take something to cover your scope if it ends up standing in the rain for two or three days - it does happen. It needs to be weather proof, well ventilated to avoid condensation, and secure to not come off (eg in strong wind). Or a toilet tent is a good idea for this.

[Gomtuu]

I can recommend this :

http://www.green-witch.com/green-witch-scope-cover-1642-p.asp

[LukeSkywatcher]

Bring enough Jaffa Cakes to share around the camp fire. Trust me, you'll understand when you get there.

[mountainmadman]

Hi Chris,

if it is this event you have signed up for http://astrocamp.awesomeastronomy.com/ then see you there!  I went on my first one back in May, loved it, so signed up to go again in September.

Depending on the pitch you have booked and the size of your tent, you may or may not have room next to your tent for your vehicle.  But, if space is tight, there is enough room at the bottom part of the site to park cars to allow yourself more room.

Best to go ready sufficient in terms of having all your food etc. with you because the nearest big shops will be in Abergavenny or Brecon in terms of supermarkets.

Some people set their scopes up on their tent pitches and others prefer setting up on a large area of grass referred to as 'The Common'.  People who set up on the common often have reasonably heavy duty covers for their scopes that will stand up to bad weather, and leave their scopes set up for the duration of the camp.  Personally, I have a dob, so in two stages, I can move it to the common, and then bring it back to my tent at the end of the session.

There is a section on the website for etiquette if this your first time at any sort of star party. 

So, in terms of what to pack, aside from a few choice lemonades, and sustenance, depending on your scope you might want to consider some sort of small toolkit for collimation and small repairs if you have to make them.  From what I've seen, most of the time, the problems are caused by people just forgetting their basic observing kit, so maybe a dovetail here, or a counterweight there.  But even then, there's not much to worry about because after a rallying cry, someone is generally able to step in and help by loaning something out.

Hope this helps ,and happy to help further if required,

cheers

Tony

[AndyWB]

I'll see you there too!

If you can, I'd advise just taking everything you need out of the car in the first place. I just unpack mine, ditch it in the bottom near the road (where there are some streetlights that the council won't shield) and don't really touch it all weekend. The other annoying thing is the way that many cars flash their lights when they're opened/closed with a key fob, hence my plan of just emptying the car.

My essentials:

• Tony's advice is good - pack food for the weekend (though I now just get breakfast from the cafe down the road, and only worry about lunch/dinner/snacks)
• Scope cover - I can't be bothered packing after every night
• Warm clothes. You'd be surprised how cold you'll get at 0200 in dewy Cwmdu
• Dim red torch.
• Comfy seat for socialising from.
• Beer
• Thinking cap for quiz
• Money for more beer at quiz

[bish]

• Dim red torch.

People sometimes just put red plastic over their amazingly bright head torch and almost blind you.  Not great when you're at  a really dark site.

[Cjg]

Thanks all for the advice, am looking forward to the camp- my scope is a small frac on an alt az mount, I shall be bringing it back with me each time as no cover; it's a TAK, so I'd cry if it got rained upon!

Think I'm sorted for food / drinks; I'm bringing some locally produced Moongazer ale to share too. Sounds like I'll need my down jacket then for the early hours. Think I'm good to go, see you all there and fingers crossed for clear skies.

Chris

[astronymonkey]

For me I like to be organised and have a bit of a system.

Learn your scope before you go and make sure its all working, no point turningnup and finding the lead you need is still on the patio table from your last observing session

Take spare batteries and know how long a set usually lasts

Have an observing plan with the objects setting soon after sunset being early on the ljst.

Take an eye mask and ear plugs to allow a nice lie in.

Consider what to do during the day, I take my walking boots and usually have a route planned, or take a good book.

Think about food, look online for a nearby cafe, pub, or good take away before you go.

Finally, make sure you are warm, hot drinks, good sleeping bag, foam mat etc.

Cheers

[A40farinagolf]

Hi CJG,

Astrocamp will be my 2nd starparty as SGL10 was my first one in March this year and I really enjoyed it.

It can get very cold and damp so be prepared to protect both you and your optical kit.

A dew shield and heater and/or a 12v hairdryer could prove beneficial.

[bish]

Yes, dew control is essential. Along with staying warm and dry

[Phil Fargaze]

I always write a list, or a few list`s, and think of anything I might need before I go. But I stick to the essentials, it`s no fun having 

piles of stuff to negotiate when darkness falls.

Astro gear

Camping gear

Food etc

Objects to observe.

Although having a list is not fool proof, last year on a star party trip I managed to forget my sleeping bag!

Luckily I managed to get a budget duvet from a local store before night fall. 

As mentioned, the dreaded dew is likely to attack. I take along some old towels

which are handy to dry telescope tubes, cameras, star charts, chairs, tables or anything else which it might settle on. 

[Physopto]

What ever you take you will most likely realise very quickly that you have forgotten several must have items. Often you can borrow small things as people are very friendly. But as you find out what you wished you had make a list! Because you will forget for the next star camp. (The list just seems to get bigger each time )

But whatever you do just enjoy it. Lots to see and lots to learn. You will make loads of new friends.

Derek

[AndyWB]

People sometimes just put red plastic over their amazingly bright head torch and almost blind you.  Not great when you're at  a really dark site.

Yeah, that's why I've a couple - one for seeing the floor, and one for reading charts. I've gone to great lengths to dim them both (buying black and red nail polish got me some looks). The other classic is using a head torch - and then looking at someone, illuminating them.

[Physopto]

Yeah, that's why I've a couple - one for seeing the floor, and one for reading charts. I've gone to great lengths to dim them both (buying black and red nail polish got me some looks). The other classic is using a head torch - and then looking at someone, illuminating them.

Yep been guilty of that. Try as I might it happens.

[Cjg]

Thanks all, I've made lists for personal kit and astro kit. Was able to check the dew heater and battery to ensure all worked. A friend has loaned me a nebula filter (thanks Helix) so looking forward to seeing the Veil for only the second time!

Hope we have some clear skies and see you in Brecon next weekend.

Chris

[AndyWB]

Yep been guilty of that. Try as I might it happens.

Could be worse. The chain gun on Apache helicopters is slaved to the crew's helmet. Looking up ad someone could do more than just dazzle them.

[cotterless45]

I keep posting this !

[faulksy]

I keep posting this !image.jpg

you keep posting it nick and we keep liking it. well funny

[Dave In Vermont]

And there's one item a great many backpacker's tend to forget - followed by a catastrophic encounter with Poison Ivy.....

Dave