
Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
- michaeloconnell
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Replied by michaeloconnell on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
www.astrosib.ru/index.html
Prices are very good and the quality is reputed to be good too.
I see that they sell 20" optics for 2,800euro, which is an excellent price!
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- michaeloconnell
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Replied by michaeloconnell on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
Фантастический!
Мы сделали резервирование. Мы останемся в Гостинице Sibir! gk-sibir.sibnet.ru/index_eng.html
Мы также имеем билеты воздушной трассы с Аэрофлотом.
Привет Новосибирск!
Hotel Sibir now has no more rooms left.
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- Vagelis Tsamis
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Replied by Vagelis Tsamis on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
How are things so far?
Who else is interested in going to Novosibirsk in this forum?
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- michaeloconnell
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Replied by michaeloconnell on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
In terms of flights, one can fly with S7 airlines from Dublin on 30th July at 10:35pm to Moscow and arrive at 5:30am on the 31st. At 11:35am, one can then fly to Novosibirsk and arrive at 6:30pm.
On the return leg, one can fly from Novosibirsk on the 2nd or 3rd of August to Moscow (5 flights each day). However, the next flight to Dublin from Moscow is on the 3rd at 8:40pm (none on the 2nd) which arrives back in Dublin at 9:55pm (all times are local)
Cost of flights is approx €520 per person, including taxes.
Now, what I'd need next is a hotel. The Sibir is full. I've sent an e-mail to Riverpark Hotel. Let's see what happens. Haven't decided one way or the other yet as to whether I'll go or not, considering the 50/50 weather prospects.
Of course, if we did arrive in Novosibirsk, how would we get to a suitable observing site? What arrangements have you made? Are you on an organised tour or did you make the travel arrangements yourself? Have you got a bus organised? If you have a bus organised, we could hire a car and follow your bus out there perhaps?
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- albertw
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Replied by albertw on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
Chairperson, International Dark Sky Association - Irish Section
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- dfnsk
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Replied by dfnsk on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
some news concerning solar eclipse in novosibirsk ( novosibirskguide.com/news/available_hotels )
Several days ago Russian News Agency RIA Novosti announced, that Novosibirsk's officials are going to set up special place for observing in the city. Also, it is said, that no free rooms left in all Novosibirsk hotels. Well, that's not true - we've made several calls to hotels and found out that there ARE free rooms for the eclipse days. Nevertheless, travelers already feel difficulties with booking up, so we start special topic our forum , where all information about rooms in hotels will be placed. We hope you, our visitors, will help us in collecting information!
i hope you could help in filling this topic about free rooms

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- Vagelis Tsamis
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Replied by Vagelis Tsamis on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
You 'd better book a flight first (any flight), now that air-tickets are still available, and then look for a hotel room.
I would advise you to send e-mails to travel agencies, rather than hotels.
Try the travel agency Olympia Reisen Sibir eng.olympia-reisen.ru/
and send mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. The person to be contacted is Ms(?) Olesia Varnanidou. They will inform you of any available rooms in Novosibirsk or in the district.
Our schedule:
Departure from Athens on 29th - Arrival at Novosibirsk on 30th 05:30 am.
Departure from Novosibirsk on 2nd 06:30 pm - Arrival at Athens on 3rd.
So we stay 3 nights in Sibir.
Yes, we will have a shuttle-bus for our transports, the cost is 300+smth euro (14-15 people share that cost).
As for the observing site, there is no hurry, the shadow path is 350 km wide and it passes through a vast region, Novosibirsk being well inside it. You could watch from anywhere. But we are planning to go for an investigating expendition at the countryside and look for a suitable observing spot the day before the eclipse. Of course you are wellcome to come along during the eclipse, or in any case and anyway join our group!
Good luck!
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- Vagelis Tsamis
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Replied by Vagelis Tsamis on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
I am afraid the only way to stay at a university room is to have an official invitation from the faculty.
Hi dfnsk, thanx for the translation!
Where will you be staying during the eclipse?
And is this the site of the TAL factory? --> www.astrovox.gr/forum/download.php?id=4577 (Google .kmz) at Zaelcovskaya?
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- dfnsk
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Replied by dfnsk on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
Hi Albert,
I am afraid the only way to stay at a university room is to have an official invitation from the faculty.
Hi dfnsk, thanx for the translation!
Where will you be staying during the eclipse?
And is this the site of the TAL factory? --> www.astrovox.gr/forum/download.php?id=4577 (Google .kmz) at Zaelcovskaya?
Home

And for the eclipse itself - didn't decide yet . Probably we'll go with friends on the cars to some place near Novosibirsk-Barnaul highway and near Ob sea.
(by the way, you all are welcome

Yes, this the TAL factory. Metro Station Zaelcovskaya is exactly on the sqaure.
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- Vagelis Tsamis
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Replied by Vagelis Tsamis on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
sure!(by the way, you all are welcome
)

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- michaeloconnell
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Replied by michaeloconnell on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
Michael, did you have any luck with rooms in the university?
I've heard no more on this issue.
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Replied by michaeloconnell on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
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- ayiomamitis
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Replied by ayiomamitis on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
Michael,Cost of flights is approx €520 per person, including taxes.
This is very good pricing! I have not booked my flights yet since the price keeps rising and I am waiting for a drop (which may not happen) from Aeroflot.
I am delighted at your quote (including taxes) which means I may as well fly to Dublin and then join you guys! If possible, I would be looking to leave a day earlier than you describe so as to have more time to setup and prepare.
Would you have a link where one can check further the iterinary you describe above?
Athens, Greece
www.perseus.gr
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- Vagelis Tsamis
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Replied by Vagelis Tsamis on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
Anthony, in fact THERE IS a booking with your name on it for the Aeroflot flights from Athens to Novosibirsk (return also), at the dates I have sent to you. (See schedule on my previous message: Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:25 am).I have not booked my flights yet since the price keeps rising and I am waiting for a drop (which may not happen) from Aeroflot.
Just the flights, no room. You can check at Aeroflot.
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- michaeloconnell
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Replied by michaeloconnell on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
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- ayiomamitis
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Replied by ayiomamitis on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
Comrad Vaggeli,
Anthony, in fact THERE IS a booking with your name on it for the Aeroflot flights from Athens to Novosibirsk (return also), at the dates I have sent to you. (See schedule on my previous message: Thu Jan 03, 2008 9:25 am).I have not booked my flights yet since the price keeps rising and I am waiting for a drop (which may not happen) from Aeroflot.
Just the flights, no room. You can check at Aeroflot.
I remember making a reservation for the same flights as yourself BUT I cannot confirm the confirmation when I login into my account at Aeroflot. I am very surprised (but happy) that you have confirmed my reservation.
Now, where do I check on the Aeroflot site for my reservation?
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- Vagelis Tsamis
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Replied by Vagelis Tsamis on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
I am happy that you are happy that I have confirmed your reservation!
Just call 210-3220986 (Athens) or 007-495-2235555 (Moscow office) and ask them!
Then, a big smile will shine on your face!

Explanations:
Since we made the reservation for you through a travel agency, it is not possible for you to see it on the Aeroflot internet site. Passenger names are not to be publicly listed. The only way you could see your reservation (by logging to your account on the Aeroflot site) is in case you had first registered and then made the reservation yourself through your account. Then it would appear in your account history.
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- Vagelis Tsamis
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Replied by Vagelis Tsamis on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
www.ios.ru/webcam.htmlWhatever else happens, I hope the weather picks up a little! It's -27degC over there now! :shock:
Here is a webcamera in Novosibirsk that updates image every second!
Live all around the clock!
On the background, we can see the Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.
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- dfnsk
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- Vagelis Tsamis
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Replied by Vagelis Tsamis on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
oi moroz, moroz!!!
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- michaeloconnell
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Replied by michaeloconnell on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
www.ios.ru/webcam.html
Here is a webcamera in Novosibirsk that updates image every second!
Live all around the clock!
On the background, we can see the Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre.
If they could just point it at the sun, we wouldn't need to travel over there at all!

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- ayiomamitis
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Replied by ayiomamitis on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
Artem,It was -35 today's morning. Brr.. Good thing is that i bought all groceries yesterday and that my car is still working
![]()
With such frigid temperatures, how stable is the atmosphere (ie. seeing)? I have heard that some places in Russia have sub-arc second seeing.
How can anything in the atmosphere move with such temperatures to spoil the seeing.

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- pj30something
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Replied by pj30something on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
My next scope is going to be a Vixen VMC200L Catadioptric OTA
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- ayiomamitis
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Replied by ayiomamitis on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
No words can describe my anxiety. If I had the ability to make the eclipse happen tomorrow, I would do it.I cant wait to see the pics that you guys bring back from Russia.
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- ayiomamitis
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Replied by ayiomamitis on topic Re: Total Solar Eclipse 2008 - Russia
Athens, Greece
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