Notice 09: Deep Sky Observing Weekend. (March 10-15, 2021)

Come to Leeuwenboschfontein from the 10th to the 15th of March and share some of the darkest skies you are likely to find this close to Cape Town with a group of like-minded astronomy enthusiasts. There will be no talks or formal gatherings, so social distancing and adherence to the Covid-19 rules will always be under your own control. There is also more than enough space on the lawn, and elsewhere at Leeuwenboschfontein, to ensure that all the social distancing rules can be complied with while observing. Bring your telescope(s), binoculars, camera, or whatever you wish to bring, and spend a weekend observing and, if you wish, talking astronomy. If you don’t want to bring any equipment just bring yourselves and enjoy Leeuwenboschfontein by day and the stars at night.

At the October 2020 event there was a lot of talking after everybody had woken up, but always at the correct distance. We will definitely be more observant of the mask requirements this time round.

You are more than welcome to come earlier in the week if you would like to have more observing time, but I suspect most people will probably only arrive on Friday. When you come is not important, but it is important that you do come, please.

Leeuwenboschfontein has something for everyone. However, I do think we will be a tad early for snow on the Hex River Mountains!

You have to book your own accommodation. You can camp or book into one of the chalets or houses and share or not share, whichever takes your fancy. In March the weather will still be warm enough to make Leeuwenboschfontein the ideal venue to relax during the daytime and do some serious observing after dark under their pristine skies. Although we expect mild weather, please bring along warm clothing, because Leeuwenboschfontein has a sneaky habit of slipping in the odd very cold night when you least expect it.

Leeuwenboschfontein is dark! This is a single 30 second exposure (ISO 1000) with my Nikon 5100D. The bright object at the bottom centre is Jupiter and Scorpio’s tail is just above the trees on the left. Sagittarius is almost in the centre of the photograph.
Paul Kruger’s image from a previous occasion. I doubt if the telescope area will be quite as busy but I will be very happy if it is. The glow on the horizon is De Doorns and Worcester with a contribution from Paarl and the Cape Metropole.

This is not a Southern Star Party and StarPeople are not presenting anything. We are only putting the suggestion/invitation out to lure astronomy enthusiasts into coming to Leeuwenboschfontein for some serious stargazing. Nothing is pre-organized, nothing will be presented, no guest speakers, no coffee & rusks, so there will also be no registration fee.

Snorre will most likely also be attending if he can find the time in his busy schedule supervising the cats and people in our complex.

Please phone Hermien at 023 004 1307 and make a booking, she would love to hear from you. In case you have forgotten what the accommodation at Leeuwenboschfontein entails, pop over to their website at http://leeuwenboschfontein.co.za/tariffs/ and check it out.

If you have the energy to walk up the mountain after the long nights spent stargazing, do visit the hut up on the mountain. The view from up there is well worth the effort.

Important Notice – 26/01/2021. During the upcoming Deep Sky outing at LBF in March the LBF Observatory will be available for all persons attending who wish to do astrophotography. This means the astrophotographers can go about their work without worrying that their various (and numerous) light sources will be bothering the ordinary observers. There is no fee for the use of the LBF Observatory.