Dear Group,

I was wondering if any plans are being made for a group effort in relation to the next total solar eclipse? Some local amateurs in Greece have already started to look into the possibility and I thought it would be nice if we can share information and tips.

We are days away from describing the eclipse as a "next year" event.

I had a lot of trouble finding out about accomodation in Novosibirsk. Even a couple of Russians I work with had a hard time!

There is a university there which may be able to help out.

At the moment I'm just going to wait and see what packages other people put together for this one.

I had a lot of trouble finding out about accomodation in Novosibirsk. Even a couple of Russians I work with had a hard time!

There is a university there which may be able to help out.

At the moment I'm just going to wait and see what packages other people put together for this one.

Hello,
I'm from Novosibirsk and Could provide you some information about accomodation or answer other questions. Feel free to contact mia via icq (1935232), for example.

Once you have the accomodation sorted it should be a good trip.

Novosibirsk has its own airport (Tolmachevo Airport)...dont think there will be direct flights to Dublin :wink: ... but you can fly to Moscow and then taken in internal flight.

If there is a group going from Ireland, I would be happy to go along... the eclipse is on the 1st of August and Novosibirsk is very much continental climate, which means good summers 8) 8) 8)

Unfortunately one cannot avoid a connecting flight. It is the same situation from Athens where one must fly to Moscow first. In fact, the cheapest tickets seem to be with Alitalia which will mean Athens -> Milano -> Moscow -> Novosibirsk.

... the eclipse is on the 1st of August and Novosibirsk is very much continental climate, which means good summers 8) 8) 8)

...and is at ~the same latitude as Ireland, not further north, as it's Siberian address would suggest.

dnfsk: You're welcome.
Given the dead ends other searchers have come up against, I think your knowledge would happen to be of good benefit here :wink:

well an eclipse is worth it ...

you should see if you can fly with Aeroflot... its always an experience to fly in one of those old Tupolevs

...and is at ~the same latitude as Ireland, not further north, as it's Siberian address would suggest.

Hi Paul, Siberia is huge streting from the Arctic Sea all the way down to the lattitude of the Black Sea... but dont let the latitude fool you... because of the intercontinent location you will have -20 or colder in the winter, but the summers are nice and hot 8) [/quote]

Should be warm on August first for the eclipse, has anyone been able to figure out the cloud expectancy there at that time ?

there is a good graph on this site:

home.cc.umanitoba.ca/~jander/tot2008/wx.htm

The ones that would know best is the GISMETEO, but their site is only in Russian.

You can email them though and ask for the needed information:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The site: www.gismeteo.ru/towns/29634.htm

you should see if you can fly with Aeroflot... its always an experience to fly in one of those old Tupolevs

Another benefit of flying Alitalia is the Boeings in their fleet. :wink:

No choice however for the connection between Moscow and Novosibirsk.

This reads a good news to me, its looks like you have a fairly good chance at Novosibirsk, the challenge is getting there and having somewhere to stay.

... the challenge is getting there and having somewhere to stay.

How about a camping setup? Seriously.

We will get Seanie to keep an eye out for the Russian bears. In fact we can make a sacrifice .... Seanie!

Good idea Anthony! :o Sorry seanie! :twisted:

I intend on going anyway! An etx 70 is really the only scope you can bring. or maybe a WO refractor!

Good idea Anthony! :o Sorry seanie! :twisted:

Seanie, my buddy, my friend, my pal,

We would all like to chip in pay for your (one-way) flight to Russia. Interested?

I intend on going anyway! An etx 70 is really the only scope you can bring. or maybe a WO refractor!

I will be armed with my Tak FSQ-106, AP Mach1GTO and Canon EOS 300D.

Ditto for China and the eclipse the following year.

I will be armed with my Tak FSQ-106, AP Mach1GTO and Canon EOS 300D.

WHAT? How are you going to manage that Anthony? :o Stupid irish 15 kilo weight restrictions! :oops:

I intend on going anyway! An etx 70 is really the only scope you can bring. or maybe a WO refractor!

I have a 4" celestron refractor which has proven itself as a good eclipse scope, so I'd be bringing that if I can get there.
Seanie, you're ending up on a BBQ for the local bears if you go
Anthony, I'd be worried about security using tents.

One more thing, what is getting past Russian customs like, would we have hassle getting in and out of the country.

I will be armed with my Tak FSQ-106, AP Mach1GTO and Canon EOS 300D.

WHAT? How are you going to manage that Anthony? :o Stupid irish 15 kilo weight restrictions! :oops:

The Tak and EOS will be with me as carry-ons whereas the AP Mach1GTO will be checked in as luggage. I would like to bring my laptop as well so to be able to submit photos immediately thereafter.

Jay! Pity the skylux tube is so long!

Seanie, you're ending up on a BBQ for the local bears if you go

Poor guy gets no respect! Watch the bears turn away.

Anthony, I'd be worried about security using tents.

I though about this as well ... maybe (?) there is strength in numbers?

One more thing, what is getting past Russian customs like, would we have hassle getting in and out of the country.

Given that there will be thousands of foreigners in the same predicament (equipment), I suspect it will be relatively easy for this one-time event.

Stupid question Anthony,
why bother with such an expensive mount for an eclipse?, its not like you need to be taking long exposures that require a great mount.
I'd be using a 50 euro skylux manual mount, although I would like an electric motor just for convenience, I wouldn't bring an expensive mount, although an NP101 OTA would be nice

Jay! Pity the skylux tube is so long!

I have seen some excellent work produced by these LIDL scopes in relation to the moon and I would expect similar results with the sun!

Stupid question Anthony,
why bother with such an expensive mount for an eclipse?,

The problem is totality and where I need a complete set of exposures from 1/2000 to 4 (or 8) seconds so as to produce the stunning butterfly-like eclipsed sun with corona. If it wasn't for the latter exposures (4 or 8 seconds), I could go "cheaper".

I did something similar for last year's total eclipse where I hauled my car across the mediterranean just because I need the Losmandy G-11 (to mate my AP160 onto).