31/03/2026
As you probably know, I’m a member of the Astronomical Society of Victoria. When I’m not working on a client’s property, I do most of my imaging from their excellent dark sky site in Central Victoria.
A while back, someone asked me about my preparation for a weekend up there. It’s an important issue. I'm always paranoid that I'm going to leave something critical behind and I won't be able to get the images I want - it's only happened a couple of times that I've come back with no images, but it's a long way to go for nothing. So, I’ve compiled a list of what I need.
I have a wooden scope box that includes my refractor with the complete imaging train attached. It also contains a bunch of adapters and spares, including cables and couple of power supplies. Similarly, my CEM60 has its silver case, and my tri-pier is strapped together ready to go.
I carry my counterweights in an ancient school bag (which is nearly 50 years old now). In the bag is also my large 20A power supply, an extension cord, power board, and a couple of double adapters.
If I’m after wide field shots or glamour photos of any equipment, I also have my DSLR and tripod. My MeLE lives on the refractor, but I also need a laptop and cat5 cable to control that.
I also need clothes and bedding. I normally sleep in a tent, so I need mats, sleeping bag, and a pillow.
I always keep a folding Faraday cage in the boot of my car. It’s just a precaution, but I’ll need it in case the radio astronomy team accidentally flips the switch to "transmit".
In case there are any new members at the dark sky site for the first time, I bring a list of all the things that have to be done. It’s important to go through the induction script in the correct order. And while I’ve never needed it, I always include both versions of the Oath, just in case we have someone from the Faroe Islands. I also bring my cloak for the ceremony (see photo).
If I have space in my very small car, I pack the reverse sprongulator just in case someone needs it, but if I don’t bring it there’s not normally a problem. Someone used to bring a pair of turbo encabulators but then we realised they don’t exist.
Finally, I make sure the magenta cloud is securely tied down. It only happened once, but nobody wants to see THAT happen again.
Occasionally non-members turn up, and we need to sign them in as well as having access to the non-member equipment: rule book, Crux decrypter guide, branding iron and associated hog tie, "medical" probe, neuralyser.
I think that’s all. I’m sure another member will remind me if I’ve left something out.
It’s best to be prepared.
