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Post by BillW on Sept 26, 2013 22:35:37 GMT
Hi, I went over to Belfast fot the SPA jubilee meeting. The lectures at Queens Univerisity were all really excellent. I particularly enjoyed the one about the new solar observations. In the evening the dinner at a local Italian was loud, noisy and great fun. I had the pleasure of talking with Tolis from the Armagh Observatory (Tolis is the video man at Armagh). The folllwing day there was a trip down to Armagh where i spoke with Tolis at length again about their new all sky camera and the epsilon perseid outburst. It felt really good being amongst where it all happens. The group left for a tour of the grounds but I stayed and blethered for another half hour! The weekend ended with a reception hosted by the Mayor of Armagh. We had a nice buffet lunch at the venue in the grounds of Armagh Palace. I was surprised how few people from Northern Ireland attended. It was great weekend, I think they really missed out. So qudos to the SPA for making the effort to arrange these meetings around the UK and to the organisers. It was an excellent programme. Cheers , Bill.
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Post by stewartw on Sept 28, 2013 11:47:52 GMT
Hi Bill,
Thanks for the overview - sounds like it was a good event. Pity about the lack locals turning up. I have to admit when I was growing up in N Ireland, I didn't know anyone else who was interested. There was a spike around the time of Halley's comet in '86 when Armagh Observatory had an open evening to allow members of the public to view it through one of their 'scope.
I remeber the queue, the fuzzy blob and my dad's disappointed "Is that it"?
Good to know that the SPA is prepared to organise events "in the regions" - I hope the poor attendence hasn't discouraged them from doing something similar in the future.
What's the spec on the Armagh all sky camera?
William
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Post by BillW on Sept 28, 2013 20:08:28 GMT
Hi, It really was a good couple of days only spoiled by one minor event. Warning, slight rant coming.... The only problem was the distinctly unfriendly and unpleasant security people at Belfast International Airport enforcing an utterly stupid policy. The bag my liquids (toothpaste etc) were in was too big! You couldn't make it up. I've used the same bag on flights from Glasgow, Prestwick, Edinburgh, and the return journeys WITHOUT ISSUE. It's a clear plastic bag, it close's properly and doesn't have any holes in it. But it seems that at BFI a medium sized tesco freezer bag is a security risk. It dawned on me what was actually going on. It's a complete scam. There is a little vending machine where the "Proper" sized bags can be bought for £1. Actually you get two for your money, a bargain.... They have you in a situation where you either cough up, loose your items or don't fly. Not my favourite airport!
Ahhh that's better.
The all sky camera that's been set up in Armagh is an SBIG 340 with a very short focus fujinon lens on it.
cheers, Bill.
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Post by stewartw on Sept 29, 2013 6:07:44 GMT
Ah, good old BIH ... That's actually nowhere near Belfast!
Like yourself I spend a lot of time (probably too much) going through airports. Have never heard of this rule before so I suspect you may be right. I've seen ladies with clear carrier bags full of all sorts of stuff (all under 100ml) successfully get through.
Still have fond memories of the Manchester to Belfast flights during the 80s and 90s and the infamous Gate 13 departure checkpoint with security asking rapid fire questions to try and catch out the undesirables.
William
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Post by stewartw on Sept 29, 2013 10:32:09 GMT
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