BASADMIN

Tripod Astrophotography

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Tripod Astrophotography

At our June 2019 monthly meeting, Mark Culley, professional photographer and highly accomplished astrophotographer www.astro-photography.com.au , captured everyone’s attention with his stunning wide-field astro-photos and tutorial talk. Mark’s talk focused on tripod dslr astrophotography using tracked and untracked approaches. His tracked photos utilised the amazing Skywatcher Star Adventurer mount and his untracked photos just relied on a sturdy tripod and Rule of 500 https://bit.ly/2AYLB2b . Mark has scouted the Scenic Rim region, south-west of Brisbane, to locate many locations that can bring landscape and night sky together to stunning effect. You might almost say his photos are “out of this world”. Mark ended his talk with an offer to organise an evening, perhaps near Moogerah Dam, for BAS members to learn from the master. Thank you, Mark. All we need now is for the clouds to clear.

Mark Culley explaining one of his stunning astro-photos.

 

John Dobson & Sidewalk Astronomers

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John Dobson & Sidewalk Astronomers

At our June 2019 monthly meeting, BAS member, John Pitts, delivered an excellent talk on one of the greatest influencers of amateur astronomy, Mr John Dobson. For those of you owning Dobsonian telescopes, John Dobson was the inventor of this simple to use telescope design. We learned how John Dobson was a monk in a Californian seminary while conducting a somewhat clandestine program of mirror grinding, telescope making and public astronomy outreach. Eventually the seminary, and John, decided their heavenly interests were a little too divergent and so John returned to the secular world and concentrated all his efforts on encouraging public interest in large aperture simple telescopes and casual observing. From his efforts the Sidewalk Astronomers initiative was born and spread across North America and far beyond. John Dobson also travelled widely to spread his message and even visited Queensland Astrofest in 1995.

BAS members have been continuing in the footsteps of John Dobson for many years. Our school nights and public observing evenings at Mt Coot-tha and Maleny perpetuate the philosophy of Sidewalk Astronomers. BAS members are encouraged to get their Dobsonian telescopes, and all other designs, out of the cupboard and actively support our version of Sidewalk Astronomy.

John Pitts sharing some of the life and achievements of John Dobson.

Membership

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Membership of BAS

As a member you will receive lots of benefits. You will receive our newsletters, have access to a wide selection of library material, and invitations to exclusive social events and astronomy field nights throughout the year. And best of all, you will meet many keen amateur astronomers to share your interest with and to learn from.

Membership Fees

– Full member $30.00
– Full Family membership $36.00
– Concession membership (Student and Pensioner) $18.00

The membership year is 1st January, and renewal is due on 31st December each year.

Membership Application Steps and Payment

How to renew your BAS membership 

Two simple options:

1- Come along to a monthly BAS meeting and pay in cash to our Treasurer, or
2- Pay online through your bank by direct deposit. (Just make sure to insert your name in the payment description box eg, JillSmith) And then send an email to membership@bas.asn.au telling us you have renewed your membership.

Our bank details are:

Account name: Brisbane Astronomical Society Inc
Bank: Bank of Queensland
BSB: 124030
Account Number: 10168155

How to join BAS and make payment as a new member 

Two simple options:

1- Come along to a monthly BAS meeting and pay in cash to our Treasurer, or
2- Pay online through your bank by direct deposit. (Just make sure to insert your name in the payment description box eg, JillSmith) And then send an email to membership@bas.asn.au telling us:
– your name,
– names of any other people covered by your application,
– category of membership you are seeking,
– address and a phone number,
– email address,
– your bank direct transfer payment amount.

Our bank details are:

Account name: Brisbane Astronomical Society Inc
Bank: Bank of Queensland
BSB: 124030
Account Number: 10168155

BAS Observer – February 2017

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BAS Observer – February 2017

In this edition:

A Farewell . . . and a Welcome
Club Activities
February–March Events
The Sky in February
The Moon from Geostationary Orbit
A Four-planet System in Orbit: Directly Imaged!
Equipment for Sale
Brisbane LED Street Lighting Trials
Discovery of Water on 51 Peg b
BAS Information
Spectacular Close-up of Saturn’s Rings

BAS Observer – January 2017

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BAS Observer – January 2017

In this edition:

  • John Glenn 1912–2016
  • Club Activities 
  • BAS 30th Anniversary and Christmas Party 
  • January–February Events 
  • Astronomical Research Grants 
  • Sunshine Coast Observing Site
  • Tycho Brahe – Hven Island
  • Please Don’t Use the ‘S’ Word!
  • Star Charts for January
  • Colliding stars to light up the sky in 2022?
  • Lunar and Planetary Guide for January–February

BAS Observer – September 2019

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BAS Observer – September 2019

In this edition:
• Club Activities
• September–October Events
• The Pluto Controversy
• Queensland Astrofest 2019
• A 3-D Printed Telescope
• The Sky in September
• Springfield Lakes State School Night
• Equipment for Sale
• BAS Information
• Hubble’s Portrait of Star’s Gaseous Glow