We will keep you posted!
Where
- Gansvlei Information (Pdf to download))
GPS Coordinates: 28°47'48.63"S 26°28'25.66"E
Booking via Shaun Staats - assabfn@gmail.com
GPS Coordinates 28°47'48.63"S 26°28'25.66"E
Google Earth - Gansvlei - FS Star Party
Prepairing for the FS Star Party
To dew or not to dew
- Gallery: 2018 FS Star Party
- Gallery: 2017 FS Star Party
- Gallery : 2016 FS Star Party
- Gallery: 2015 FS Star Party
- Gallery: 2014 FS Star Party
Observation site - In short
Storage room close to observing site during night/day.
Separate astro photography site available not to disturb serious observers.
Electricity available for telescope and electronic equipment (No kettles or heaters).
Observers must bring their own leads to get power from a central point in the veld.
Bring covers if you want to leave your equipment in the veld during the day.
- Have respect for your fellow observers. Use your headlight sparingly. You are blinding someone next to you. No bright white/red lights when observing starts.
Deep-sky Marathon
ASSA Bloemfontein did the first Deep-sky Marathon on Gansvlei in 2014 . (ASSA Top-100 Observing List). It is based on the very popular Messier Marathon. It was customized for deep sky objects visible in Southern-Africa.
Visit the ASSA Marathon web page Sections > Deep-sky Section > Nebulae > Clusters>
Deep-Sky Marathons
Download Observing lists for the Free State and Karoo Starparties
- Scroll down to Observing Lists for the Southern Hemisphere
( ASSA Deepsky 100, Lacaille and Messier)
The FS Star Party is not about marathons alone. It is also an event where astro friends will do some serious observing, astro photography and relax with hot coffee and serious braaiing.
Weather
2017 -7°C (00:00) and with a light wind from the East pestering us. It was 2.8 °C at 01:00 (Friday night)
2016 2°C (23:00 Friday); 10°C (00:00 Saturday; with wind and clouds moved over late in the evening. Clear early morning, with wind)
2015 dew caused havoc. Bring your dew heaters. Come prepared!
2014 Extreme – We measured -7°C during the first night. Prepare with warm clothing and bedding.
Meals
Bring your own food according to your dietary preferences.
Hot beverages will be available during the night at a Coffee point close to the observing point.
Central braai area available. We braai early to be ready for the nights observing.
Brandfort - 13 km
- Branfort Slaghuis/Butchery is the place to buy your meat (14 Voortrekker St, Brandfort)
Bloemfontein 52 km
Provisional Programme
Friday – 19 June 2020Afternoon: Arriving and setting up at observing point
Evening - Early Morning: Observing
Saturday – 20 June 2020
Morning: Visit Brandfort or sleep late; (No official programme).
Afternoon - 11:00 till Before observing time: Advice and discussing Astronomy
Evening - Early Morning: Observing
Sunday – 21 June 2020
Breakfast and we all leave!
Other accommodation - Brandfort and surrounding
Various
Ou Pastorie
Lekkeslaap – Near Brandfort
June is Deepsky Marathon Month at the Free State Star Party - Helpful links
- Deep-Sky Marathons (ASSA Website)
(Dunlop Catalogue and Lacaille List available on this page) - Article in Nightfall "Birth of a Deep-Sky Marathon"
- Deep-Sky Observer's Companion Database – DOCdb
- ASSA Top-100 Deep-Sky Observing List
- Saguaro Astronomy Club's 2015 All Arizona Messier Marathon
- Free State Star Party
- Stellarium software
- Cartes du Ciel software
- Jet stream predictions for Southern Africa
- Deep-Sky Hunter Star Atlas
