Astro Camps

Astrocamp Etiquette

Astrocamps are an excellent opportunity to observe freely from the degrading effects of light pollution and mingle with fellow astronomers. There are, however, a few unwritten rules you need to follow to ensure your camp is pleasant for all concerned.

• All light sources should be red light only. No white light is to be used anywhere near the observation site. The reason is simple: white light destroys night vision, something which can take up to an hour to fully develop.
• If you arrive at an astrocamp after dark and are not sure where to go, leave your car at the entrance and walk to the observers. Don't drive your car, headlights blazing, right through the observation area! Don't laugh, this has happened at an astrocamp. If in doubt, just yell out and someone will come and assist you.
• Loud music can be annoying. Remember, not everyone shares your taste in music. It's polite to ask around to see if anyone objects.
• Avoid shouting loudly at every meteor you witness. It only startles half-asleep astrophotographers who invariably bump the scope and ruin another shot.
• Tread very warily around the telescopes, particularly ones unfamiliar to you. Many scopes will have power leads running off them, and tripping over these at night can lead to injury and one very irate telescope owner!
• Don't walk in front of a scope that is being used for photography, particularly if you are flashing around a red torch. This will leave a bright red streak on the film, ruining the photo.
• Please be quite around the sleeping areas at all times. On a good night the keener astronomers will stay up all night viewing the heavens and try to sleep through the morning or take an afternoon nap. It's hard enough to sleep during the day without having to contend with noise made by the inconsiderate few.
• Remember, the charge for accommodation is negligible, way below any commercial sites. However, the cost does not include room service and it is up to all participants to leave the rooms and facilities in a tidy state. At the end of a camp it does not take long to clean up if everyone pitches in and lends a hand.
• Finally, out of courtesy, do not touch a telescope without the owner's permission. Its operation may be totally unfamiliar to you and there is a good chance that you will damage it in your ignorance.
• This might give you the impression that astrocamps are a strict and regimented affair. Nothing could be further from the truth. They are very relaxed and enjoyable occasions and are made so only by participants observing the above guidelines. It's only common courtesy.
• Warning: Flashing white light at an hardcore astronomer may be dangerous to your health!

Stanley River Astrocamp

The Stanley River Environmental Educational Centre weekends provide comfortable bunk house style accommodation with kitchen and dining room facilities about 1.5 hour's drive from Brisbane at $11.00 per person per night. They are held each month by SEQAS and BAS. (See date claimer for this year's dates.) These weekends are highly recommended. The site is relatively dark and fainter objects such as galaxies can be seen.

Observing field Stanley River

Stanley River Directions

QLD Astrofest
23rd July - 3rd August 2008

Queensland Astrofest is held annually in July or August for seven days at the Lions "Camp Duckadang" Linville, Queensland about 2 hour's drive northwest of Brisbane. Catered meals are available and accomodation is available in dormatories or camping. Activities include presentations by visiting astronomers, vendor sales and novelty events. Astrofest is well worth attending. For more information click here

Main observing field Astrofest 2005