European Astrofest 2023

[Carbon Brush]

Just seen on the BBC news there will be a rail strike on Feb 3rd.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-64303591

Don't shoot the messenger🤣

[markse68]

On 16/01/2023 at 13:29, carastro said:

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 

Not sure why they have done a gif rather than simply updating the program page on their website 

Mark

Edited January 23, 2023 by markse68

[carastro]

Yes it is not easy to get your head around who is doing what when so you know which session to book.

Also moves too quickly to make a note of it.  

Carole 

Edited January 23, 2023 by carastro

[PeterW]

Jumping for side to side to confuse you. What time does it open in the morning, tried finding out and couldn’t see last time I looked.

Peter

[PeterW]

https://europeanastrofest.com/conference-programme/ Non scrolling version with times.  So probably opens before 10…. ?!

 

Peter

[icpn]

Usually 9

 

 

[PeterW]

Thanks, nice early start, nice walk from Earls Court, get in before the crowds…

Peter

[DSviewer]

Looking forward to seeing lots new kit and seeing if any organized events 

[Highburymark]

I always enjoy Astrofest - should be lots to see this year. Tough on the organisers and exhibitors that the rail strike coincides with the opening day. But I wonder if there might be a modest post-Covid bounce after so many people were introduced to the hobby during the pandemic? 

[PEMS]

As Carbon Brush says there appears to be a train strike on the 3rd, the Friday. Also it seems the 1st as well.

Local station says that people can expect morning trains on the 2nd and 4th to be running some odd times until they get things back on synch.

A Friday Astrofest visit could be problematic as the underground doesn't extend too far out and not even sure if some of those will be affected. Guess I could get to either Kings Cross, Euston nor Liverpool St on the main line services. Not sure which ones are presently classed as Underground either - gets a bit fuzzy atsome locations, but they are south of me.

What I could work out was which group is striking and so the potential impact.

[icpn]

I believe it is ASLEF, the train drivers, so pretty much every service on Friday will be off.

[PeterW]

TFL are unaffected, seems like mainline issue only. Iocally we also have intermittent bus outages too, though only some lines… seems like I should go Friday and hoover up the bargains… 😉

 

peter 

[wheresthetorch?]

No chance of getting there from deepest Sussex today (my day off) as no trains, and working tomorrow. 😒

[NGC 1502]

From Southend Essex there’s one train per hour into Liverpool Street, TFL is said to be unaffected so giving it a go.

Hopefully there’s return trains too😳

[PeterW]

Good luck!

Peter

[fireballxl5]

Travelling down on the train (hopefully) tomorrow from Preston with a couple of astro buddies. Always enjoy the show and it's been 4 years since our last. 

[Alma]

For anyone thinking of popping down this afternoon, traffic in west London is relatively light and Hornton Street car park has plenty of spaces.  Took just over an hour to drive in from Windsor. 

[PeterW]

… better be some good deals left! 😉

 

Peter

[markse68]

That was great- some enjoyable talks and lots of nice things to drool over- I really really want one of these- such a neat little thing but quite expensive!

The only things I came away with were a British Interplanetary Society coaster and a couple of complimentary useful little red light keyrings - thanks FLO! Last of the big spenders me 😀

Was hoping to see the new Pentax eps but couldn’t find any- didn’t think to ask Widescreen- they seemed to have brought their entire inventory!

Pretty good turnout for the talks

Mark

[PeterW]

First time I’ve seen that meteo sensor in the flesh.

Peter

[markse68]

It’s really a neat gadget with nice looking pc interface- they make some really nice stuff don’t they. He was a really nice bloke too- had a good chat with him about harmonic drives

Mark

[globular]

Thanks Mark - something else I now NEED 🤩🤣

[JeremyS]

1 hour ago, PeterW said:

First time I’ve seen that meteo sensor in the flesh.

Peter

Isn’t that the device that just confirms it’s cloudy outside? 🤣

[markse68]

26 minutes ago, globular said:

Thanks Mark - something else I now NEED 🤩🤣

that’s the thing Glob- I really don’t need it- I have all the parts to build a diy SQM but haven’t got round to it i need one that much. But I really want one! haha

Pretty much yes Jeremy- it’s like a portable logging weather station with GPS and SQM so you can be super nerdy about your observing sessions and yes- confirm if it’s really cloudy  He said he has done a smaller version for agencies monitoring light pollution etc 

Mark

Edited February 3, 2023 by markse68

[globular]

31 minutes ago, globular said:

Thanks Mark - something else I now NEED 🤩🤣

 

5 minutes ago, markse68 said:

that’s the thing Glob- I really don’t need it

 

Nor me.  Need in capitals is my code for 'don't need but really want'.

 

Edited February 3, 2023 by globular