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Mars
Sept 30, 2005 10:29:20 GMT
Post by Neill on Sept 30, 2005 10:29:20 GMT
Hi guys,
I know its still a month or so off but are there any plans for an organised observing session to coincide with Mars being at opposition?
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Mars
Sept 30, 2005 13:17:40 GMT
Post by Phil on Sept 30, 2005 13:17:40 GMT
Sounds good.... Maybe another night up at the colin!!! Lets try and get a night where we don't get wet
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Mars
Sept 30, 2005 18:25:00 GMT
Post by markdj on Sept 30, 2005 18:25:00 GMT
I think we are hopnig to do something, not sure if it will be a members or public event though.
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Mars
Oct 4, 2005 9:51:32 GMT
Post by Neill on Oct 4, 2005 9:51:32 GMT
Can I suggest that we use a different site from Big Collin - the car lights were a complete nuisance - any ideas?
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Mars
Oct 4, 2005 11:55:13 GMT
Post by Aaron on Oct 4, 2005 11:55:13 GMT
How about Castleward just outside Strangford, where Mark and I went the other week. Its a very dark site, safe car park and toilets facilities. There is a choice of two sites, the car park itself (car lights though) or on round by the templewater (no car lights whatsoever) Im sure the trust would be happy for us to use it?
what do yous think.
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Mars
Oct 4, 2005 12:10:19 GMT
Post by Phil on Oct 4, 2005 12:10:19 GMT
Sounds like a good site to me!!!
Does the trust let the carpark stay open all night??
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Mars
Oct 4, 2005 12:44:14 GMT
Post by Neill on Oct 4, 2005 12:44:14 GMT
that sounds more like it
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Mars
Oct 4, 2005 12:46:48 GMT
Post by Aaron on Oct 4, 2005 12:46:48 GMT
Yeah the car park is open all night. The main gates of the estate close at about 8 or 9 but they are automatic. My mum has an electronic key so there is no problem for people getting in, no matter what time, and when people are leaving you just drive up to the gates and they open.
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Mars
Oct 4, 2005 14:59:50 GMT
Post by johnmc9929 on Oct 4, 2005 14:59:50 GMT
Aaron, do we need to check it out with the NT if they will allow us to use it?
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Mars
Oct 4, 2005 15:09:53 GMT
Post by Aaron on Oct 4, 2005 15:09:53 GMT
That shouldnt be a problem John, I'll give them a call and get back to you. Is it going to be a public or members event?
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Mars
Oct 4, 2005 15:39:09 GMT
Post by Phil on Oct 4, 2005 15:39:09 GMT
I'm a member of NT... if they won't let us use it, tell them I'm going to resign!!!
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Mars
Oct 5, 2005 11:02:26 GMT
Post by Aaron on Oct 5, 2005 11:02:26 GMT
Just of the phone from the Trust there. They dont see any problem but they have to run it by Barbara who is the property manager for castleward. One thing is they would probably want to inform the public (via a press or National Trust information release). Would the Committee have any objections in it being a public event?
I think the Trust would welcome this as Castleward doesn't have any astronomical events (unlike Mount Stewart who hold some astroevents there during the year with the IAA I believe) and it would promote the property and our society.
Any thoughts?
Aaron
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Mars
Oct 5, 2005 11:46:22 GMT
Post by Neill on Oct 5, 2005 11:46:22 GMT
I think this would be good as we could build on the publicity from Monday and the eclipse and this dark site is apparently really good for observing
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Mars
Oct 5, 2005 14:41:07 GMT
Post by markdj on Oct 5, 2005 14:41:07 GMT
That's probably a committee decision but speaking personally, I think that would be a fantastic idea and I think that we could have a future partnership with the National Trust. I would see no problems with the committee agreeing with this as it's a win win situation. I wonder if we should set a date now so the event can be made public? A couple of nights may be needed so that we can get the weather. Mark
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Mars
Oct 5, 2005 15:00:46 GMT
Post by Aaron on Oct 5, 2005 15:00:46 GMT
Your right there Mark. If they (the National Trust) agree to this (and I cant see why they wouldnt) then as you said it could prove good for future events. I mentioned to them that a date hadnt been set yet but it would be around the beginning of November. Hopefully i'll hear something within the next day or so.
A
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