Astrophotography Workshop & Victorian Astronomy Convention

This year’s astrophotography workshop will be run for the first time in conjunction with the biennial Victorian Astronomy Convention (VASTROC) in adjacent buildings.  Both are for the first time open to the public as well as to amateur astronomers.

The astrophotography workshop will be canvassing and introducing concepts that will assist both the amateur and professional photographer. The afternoon will have an array of lectures given by experienced and acknowledged astrophotographers. Practical hands-on sessions will then be held during the evening at our registered Observatory.

Topics include an introduction to wide field astrophotography, time lapse photography, aurora photography, deep sky imaging, image processing and more.

Weather permitting, attendees will be able to use some of the Society’s premium equipment for some deep sky imaging.

Remember to bring your camera and tripod for the practical component if you have them. Please dress appropriately for being outdoors and on a grassy or uneven surface. You may bring a small torch (red globe or covered in red cellophane).

The observatory is marked on Google Maps and on the Melways at map reference 151/E1.

Driving directions The venue is in regional/rural Victoria and is entered on the east side of Nepean Highway. Drive carefully through the park, with the possibility of wildlife on the road after dark. You will travel about 2 km along a sealed road, over three cattle grids, past a visitors’ centre on your left and vineyard on your right, up the hill then straight ahead through an open gate. Do not turn left to Josephine’s restaurant. Travel past the righthand side of the Shire Nursery, with the Park Ranger’s house on your right, then the observatory is 100 m further along on the left.

VASTROC next door will feature talks throughout the day on all facets of amateur astronomy, and is aimed both at those with prior knowledge and for eager newcomers.

Attendees at either the workshop or VASTROC may move freely between talks in either.

Accommodation is available on-site for the first 50 people who register and indicate they require it.  This is bunkhouse style accommodation and you will need to bring your own towel and bedding/sleeping bag.

Cost includes overnight bunkhouse accommodation if required, and attendance at any VASTROC talks about amateur astronomy running in parallel next door.