South Wales Astronomy Group (SWAG) Star Party 2018

[Freff]

I am pleased to announce that the South Wales Astronomy Group (SWAG) has arranged our spring  Star Party again at the superb Pencelli Castle Caravan & Camping Park. Sited in the Brecon Beacons National Park and Dark Sky Reserve, this location offers some truly dark skies which are excellent for observing and imaging. Please read Site Conditions.

 

The main nights will be  Thurs 15th - Sat 17th March 2018. The New Moon is on Friday 18th. The Oaks has been reserved from Thurs 15th - Sunday 18th March 2018 inclusive. Anyone wanting additional nights outside these dates please let me know as soon as possible.

 

Pitches and hard standings (about 25) have been reserved for us in the Oaks area. All pitches have EHU and have the least obstructed views of the night sky. If bookings exceed the pitches on the Oaks, there is the Meadows area that can be used for tents only but has no EHU. This area also offers excellent views.  The Meadows cannot be booked until the Oaks has been filled. This will avoid unfilled pitches on the Oaks being used by the public during the event.

 

Bookings as last year will be made directly through me. This will avoid any difficulties contacting the campsite wardens or any confusion between their booking list and ours. Payments for your pitch can be paid on arrival at Pencelli Castle.

Cancellation Policy  I do not ask for a the £25 deposit up front but do expect any cancellations to be made 72 hours prior to arrival. I will then contact the campsite with the details. If not you will be asked to honour the policy. 

 

 Please Do Not Contact Pencelli Caravan Park for Bookings. They Will Not Have Our Pitch Allocations And Won’t Know Where To Put You.

 

When booking please PM me your SGL name and real name for our records/planning. Your real name will be forwarded to the campsite for their registration/booking. Also your preferred pitch if you have one. Pitch allocations will be posted on the forum in your SGL name as they come in.

 

If you attended last year, then all that’s required is your SGL name, the nights you require with or without EHU, and prefered pitch.

 

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me either email or PM.

 

We hope you can make it to the South Wales Group 7th Star Party we look forward to seeing you.

Tony

[L8-Nite]

Hi Tony,

Dorothy & I look forward to it ! 

PM on its way.

[reddoss]

I have just sent a PM to Tony to book a EHU pitch.

 

[Freff]

Here are the initial bookings and pitch allocations. There may be some shuffling about nearer to the date.

This is to ensure the group is kept tight and avoid any 'civilians' getting into the ranks with LP.

I will also post a diagram PDF and picture of the pitches and their number.

 

             

                mickD                           Pitch    5                     15 - 17

                freff                              Pitch   4                      12 - 16

                tich                               Pitch   29                    10 - 16

                reddross                        Pitch   13                    14 - 16

                l8-nite                            Pitch   6                     14 - 16

                bats                               Pitch   3                      15 -16 

                astrostroll                       Pitch    7                     15 - 17

                trikeflyer                         Pitch    25                   15 - 18

                mdstuart                         Pitch   12                    14 - 16

                bobxuk                           Pitch   15                    15 - 18

                nicktys                            Pitch   28                    11 - 15

[Freff]

Site Plan.pdf

[Ken82]

Booked pitch 11 for Friday and Saturday! See you all in March 

[Freff]

bookings and pitch allocations updated.

[Freff]

bookings and pitch allocations updated.

[Trikeflyer]

Looking forward to it now.  Hope the weather improves though! Look forward to meeting you all and I hope to make some new astrofriends ?

[tich]

They're a hardy bunch who camp at Pencelli I've just had this pop up in my Facebook tonight............

[mdstuart]

Enjoyed my time at the party. Great location, lovely people, nice walk up the mountains and an hour viewing galaxies in Leo in really special skies.

Thanks to Freff for organising it.

Mark

[mdstuart]

Galaxy session at Pencelli with my 100mm binoculars.

I decided to focus on the Leo and Leo Minor area to see what you can pick up with big binoculars..using the pocket sky atlas.

Here is the list of galaxies positively identified..some verified by Justin

NGC 2903 - superb / NGC3344 / NGC3377 / M95 / M96 / M105 / NGC3384 / NGC3412 / NGC3521 - really bright / NGC3607/8 / M65 / M66 / NGC3628 / NGC3640 / NGC3414.

The above are mag 8 to 10..

Amazing what you can do in an hour in dark skies.

Mark

[Freff]

I'm glad you enjoyed your first stay with us Mark. 

Unfortunately the weather was not playing fair, although there were quite a few long clear periods during the early hours last night.

A big thanks to Mick and Jill for the use of their awning.

[estwing]

good skies aren't they Mark?...sorry I couldn't attend this year guys as my Father is really ill. Hope you all had a blast and here's to next time.