ilbrec Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 Quite surprised that there isn't a thread on this already. Is nobody going ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Second Time Around Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 Yep, I'm going up to London on the Saturday. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil_104 Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 I'm going. I've started a shopping list already! It'd be wrong not to take advantage of the cheaper prices and it justifies spending lots of money, right? Right? 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigella Bryant Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 I'm not going, I'd be tempted to much. I've no control being confronted with lots of shiny new things, lol. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeDnight Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 I can't help but feel that AstroFest has pretty much run its course. To expect people to travel across the country to Kensington London, many from as far as Scotland, just seems rediculous to me. If I do go anywhere this year it will be to Kettering. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveS Posted December 31, 2022 Share Posted December 31, 2022 Realistically it's a good 7 hour round trip from here, even assuming I could find a parking space in the car park. All the astro shows are a long drag for a day trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markse68 Posted January 1, 2023 Share Posted January 1, 2023 Their website is pretty bad- no idea who is speaking when in the conferences 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wheresthetorch? Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 Does anyone know yet who is speaking on which day? Website still doesn't say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted January 12, 2023 Share Posted January 12, 2023 No, also not sure when it opens. I go to catch up with people at clubs I’ve been a member of years ago and see what the latest stuff is, maybe pick up a small something. Never attended any of the talks though. Got meet-ups planned with a few people already. I agree it’s hard for people north of the Watford gap, but the IAS (which I always mean to get to, but haven’t) can help. Maybe someone should start another one further north, you got much better skies than round London. Peter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Hopper Posted January 13, 2023 Share Posted January 13, 2023 Although i work on the trains, its a good old trek from Derby to London, then a couple of different tubes to reach South Kensington. I've attended many times in the past : seen many great talks from the likes of Allan Chapman, Brian Cox, Stephen James O'Mara, Lucie Green, to name a few. Also my one and only time I saw the late Sir Patrick was at Astrofest. But i've not been since 2017 when i was a little disappointed with it. I'm in agreement with Mike, thats its run its course. Then theres the PAS show in Kettering as well as the IAS in October. Both easier to get to, and i've had my 'astro show fix' from them both. I do enjoy an astroshow though, it's always a great atmosphere when the astro community have a get together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Challen Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 Well, it's on my doorstep, figuratively speaking, and the last time I went was in 2004! So, maybe, I'll pop by on the Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterW Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 PAS?? Not come across that one. There’s room for more than one, go to one, go to many… Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
globular Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 10 minutes ago, PeterW said: PAS?? Practical Astronomy Show 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ouroboros Posted January 14, 2023 Share Posted January 14, 2023 The PAS sounds interesting, and since there appears to be some uncertainty about whether the IAS will happen this year, I think I might go. Does the PAS get quite crowded? I imagine being only one day and a Saturday it might be. There’s little point in going if you can’t get near what exhibitors have on show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Hopper Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 @PeterW A date for your diary ? March 11 2023. Free entry, free talks. Lots to see. https://practicalastroshow.com 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deadlake Posted January 15, 2023 Share Posted January 15, 2023 12 hours ago, Space Hopper said: @PeterW A date for your diary ? March 11 2023. Free entry, free talks. Lots to see. https://practicalastroshow.com Indeed lots to see: https://practicalastroshow.com/exhibitors/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icpn Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 It is also probably worth noting that PAS is almost entirely an imaging show so if your interest is in visual astronomy it is probably not the place to be. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saganite Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 (edited) It is only about 14 miles away for me, which is why I haven't missed one yet. There is always plenty of interest for visual only gazers like me and I have yet to see it too crowded. It is a good day out ! Edited January 16, 2023 by Saganite 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Hopper Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 44 minutes ago, icpn said: It is also probably worth noting that PAS is almost entirely an imaging show so if your interest is in visual astronomy it is probably not the place to be. You could argue some of the talks are geared towards imaging, but i think theres something for everyone there, whether you are primarily a visual observer, or an imager, or both. Lots of gear on display including visual scopes, Dobs etc and all the eyepieces you could need. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveS Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 Alas, the PAS is the best part of 4 hours from here, too long for a casual bod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carastro Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 (edited) I always go, it's not so far for me, but waiting to hear when a friend is going so we can go together. I don't know how they expect people to book conference tickets when it doesn't say who is talking when. Carole Edited January 16, 2023 by carastro 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ollypenrice Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 I've enjoyed some memorable talks from great speakers. I never saw the trade show as the main attraction and, these days, I have one of those in my back garden! 🤣 Olly 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu1smartcookie Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 I may attend . Never been to one of these before . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carastro Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 I have contacted some-one I know who works for AstronomyNow and he is going to speak to the person who does the website about putting up when the Speakers are actually speaking. Carole 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carbon Brush Posted January 16, 2023 Share Posted January 16, 2023 Kensington could be a difficult journey for many people considering the uncertainty around rail strikes and the like.🥴 In other circumstances I would drive to a (not too far away) main line station, then go to London, then catch the tube. Kettering, I just drive there. If I buy a 16" dob, I'm sure the seller would help me to the car park🤣. Easy access to Kettering if you live in London, Norwich, Birmingham, Sheffield, etc. No prizes for guessing which I am more likely to attend. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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