THE 2008 ASTROPHOTOGRAPHY CAMP

Friday 26th - Sunday 28th September 2008 - Waharau

The first weekend of the school holidays

A gathering of astrophotographers at a dark site near Auckland, New Zealand

The fourth annual Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand Astrophotography Section (RASNZAPS) camp will be held at the Waharau Outdoor Education Centre, located in the Waharau Regional Park, north of Kaiaua on the Firth of Thames (see below for maps). Waharau is a sufficient distance away from Auckland to be unaffected by light pollution, the skies are dark and we have had many great observing nights at this excellent facility.

This astrophotography weekend will be combined with the normal Auckland Astronomical Society (AAS - http://www.astronomy.org.nz/ ) Waharau weekend and is an ideal way for new and established members to meet each other, find out more about the different types of telescopes and astroimaging gear and learn about new aspects of the night sky and its wonders (remember, our galaxy's heart is right overhead in September!). There will be many experienced members to talk to and some great lectures on imaging the sky - and processing. (Programme)

The Waharau Outdoor Education Centre incorporates a lodge, five chalets and an ablutions block. There is a large gravel area that can accommodate many telescopes in front of the lodge and the chalets are situated around the lodge. There will be a sectioned off area for the astrophotographers to have those shining laptops and camera LCDs...

There are five chalets, each with two rooms. Each room can accommodate 10 people. The lodge has a fully equipped kitchen and tables and chairs to seat 80 people. There is a microwave and stove, plus a catering toaster. There is also a large cooler and a large upright fridge. The ablution block has four women's toilets, three women's showers, three men's toilets and three men's showers. There is a toilet for people with disabilities.

The AAS does not provide food at these weekends, however tea / coffee / sugar and biscuits will be provided by the society. If you require food there is a pub and a Fish and Chip shop in Kaiaua about 8km away. There is also a petrol station and a dairy where you can pick up supplies. You can arrive from about 4PM on Friday; when you arriv please check in and pay your fees. Allow 90 minutes travel time from Auckland's city centre, but do allow extra time if travelling down on Friday evening, due to traffic. Cost: $25 per person for the weekend. Single night stay is $15. If you require transport to the camp (including airport pick up) the Auckland Astronomical Society can help arrange this - ask via David Moorhouse below.

For more information or to make a booking, contact Dave Moorhouse (0274-819-089 acrux@orcon.net.nz ), or John Drummond ((06) 8627557 (evenings) or 0275 609 287 - john_drummond@xtra.co.nz )

How to get there...

Location of Waharau Outdoors Education Camp Waharau Regional Park -
The camp is situated in the Waharau Regional Park on the Firth of Thames, 8km north of Kaiaua. It can be reached through Clevedon and Kawakawa Bay, or State Highway 1 and 2 (Coromandel turnoff) through Mangatangi and Kaiaua/Kaiawa. The State Highway is probably the easiest route, although the Clevedon/Kawakawa route is the more scenic and quickest from the Howick area. This route will take about one hour from Pakuranga. Allow about 90 minutes from Ellerslie.

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