BASADMIN

BAS Twitter/X Account

by

BAS has a Twitter/X account. This might be a useful inter-member communications channel. Members may message each other using some specific BAS #tags. This may make make it easier for members to see if other members also plan to attend specific BAS events.

The name of the BAS account is: @BrisAstronomy

A few hash-tags #tags have been created for the main events BAS conducts:

Mount Coot-tha Public Nights = #BASCootha
Maleny Observatory Nights = #BASMaleny
Calvert Model Aero Nights = #BASCalvert
Cunningham Lookout Nights = #BASCunningham
Warwick Archers Nights = #BASWarwick
School Nights = #BASSchool

By posting on Twitter/X using a tag such as #BASMaleny, and saying you plan on attending a Maleny Observatory evening, other Twitter/X users can search for the #BASMaleny tag and see the messages left by members, and add to the converation. This may make planning attendance at an evening a bit more transparent.

Warwick Archers – Location Directions

by

Warwick and District Archers are located on Ford Rd, Rosenthal Heights, Warwick QLD 4370. Easiest access is via Glen Road from central Warwick and then turn left onto Ford Road. https://goo.gl/maps/9xTbo9JqVfHEx4qJ7

The Archers have a very large site on the western side of Ford Road. Facilities are good, including, dining pavilion, basic kitchen, tank water, flushing toilets, hot shower, large camping area, plenty of open space and good dark sky. The site is also only 15 minutes drive from Warwick and all its services. The sky is surprisingly dark even this close to Warwick.

However, please be aware there is no 240V power and no true overnight accommodation. Plenty of space for camping and also a swag on the dining pavilion floor is an option.

If BAS members demonstrate sufficient interest in the location we will explore opportunities to create accommodation on-site.

Cunningham Lookout – Location Directions

by

Cunningham Lookout is a compact telescope setup area about 40km south of Ipswich along the Cunningham Highway and 3.5km west of Warrill View.  Turn right at Warrill View onto the Rosewood-Warrill View Road.  The entrance track to the lookout (on your left) is half-way up the first hill after departing Warrill View.

It is recommended that you bring a camp chair and table, or something similar, as this site offers zero facilities.  A little comfort, and keeping your gear off the dusty ground and damp grass, is a good thing.

Google Map link:  https://goo.gl/maps/eFNSGx3mYd2MY8BU6

What3Word map link:  https://w3w.co/transforming.ready.shirt

Oxley Creek Common, Rocklea – Directions

by

Oxley Creek Common is an environmental parkland area located on Sherwood Road, Rocklea, about 500m west of the Rocklea fruit and Vegetable markets.   Google Maps link: https://goo.gl/maps/MQW7a4Vgk257Bdkp8

The Common has a good facilities building with BBQ, water, toilets, 240v power. There is also plenty of room to setup telescopes. The format of these nights will be casual. We may run a short Powerpoint talk on some nights. But the focus will be on helping BAS members to progress their interest in astronomy and learn how to use telescopes and other astronomy and astrophotography equipment. The formats of these casual evening will evolve over time as BAS members bring new topics and issues forward for wider involvement.

BAS Management Committee 2023/24

by

At the September 25th 2023 Annual General Meeting, the following BAS members were elected to the BAS Management Committee for 2023/24

Peter Allison
Paul Baker
John Pitts (and also Calvert Co-ordinator)
Subbarao Sivakumar
Ken Wishaw (and also Maleny Observatory Co-ordinator)
Mike Zupanc

2022 Queensland Astrofest

by

Queensland Astrofest 2022 is on.

It will take place at Camp Duckadang from Friday 22nd July through to Sunday 31st July 2022.

Event details are available, and accommodation bookings are now being accepted, at the Queensland Astrofest website: https://qldastriofest.org.au

The Queensland Astrofest was first held in 1993 and has been held every subsequent year up to 2019. The world then went on pause as we all focused on the health and well-being of communities at large; gatherings of people were restricted. Perhaps only when something is halted, do we fully appreciate its importance, and this is certainly true for this iconic astronomical event; an event which plays such a powerful role in popularising astronomy across all people in our communities, young and old alike.

It is difficult to concisely encapsulate what Astrofest means to the thousands of people that have attended the event over the past 29 years, from its humble beginnings in 1993 to the well-known and much-loved occasion it has become, run under the auspices of several Queensland Astronomical societies. The event brings together people from all different paths in life to enjoy a shared experience, to both teach and to learn from others and to pass on their passion to the next generation.

Brisbane Astronomical Society is especially proud of the role it played in that early genesis of an event that would go on to become one of the most enduring Astro Camps in the world today. We encourage all our members to indulge themselves and attend one or more nights to appreciate how special the event is.

We would also very much like to acknowledge the extremely generous support we have received from our sponsors over the years and they have really stepped up this year to make the return of Astrofest better than ever.

Sponsors for 2022 include:
Astro Anarchy
BINTEL
Celestron
Palmway Optical
SailPoint
Skywatcher
Testar
UNIFY Solutions

Full details of all our sponsors and the prizes they have donated this year, along with registration can be found on the Astrofest website, https://qldastriofest.org.au.

We look forward to seeing Brisbane Astronomical Society strongly represented amongst those attending.