Date: 3rd May - 4th May 2014
Venue: Mirpur Sakro, Sind, Pakistan
Know what, many urban folks have never seen a 'shooting star' or meteor. But every night at dark skies, you can see not just many meteors themselves but also often the smoky dust trails they leave in their wake! On certain nights of the year the meteor count increases dramatically, and one such night is coming on the next weekend IA. And it is also a new Moon when natural light pollution is at its minimum! If you have never seen the unpolluted starry sky on a clear, transparent night, you don't know what you are missing. And the upcoming weekend is as good an opportunity as it gets.
Karachi Astronomers' Society (KaAS), Sahal Telescopes & Binoculars and Pakwheels team up to bring you another wonderful rutjuga in rural Sindh In-sha Allah. The best part is that the location is just 100km from Karachi, so you won't be drained by a very long drive. Also, there is cellphone coverage there for Ufone etc. You don't need a telescope or binocular to attend this event, but if you have one, we encourage you to bring it. You'll be surprised at the difference a dark sky makes.
For us in Pakistan, this is likely the best time of the year when the stunning star clouds in the direction of our galaxy's center gloriously take over the night sky before the monsoon clouds eventually overpower them in the coming weeks IA. So don't miss this chance!
Schedule
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- Departure from the rendezvous point in Karachi: Saturday 02:00pm PKT
- Arrival: 05:30 pm PKT In-sha Allah.
- Setting up telescopes and photographic equipment
- Sky tour
- Star gazing
- Dinner: 8pm IA
- Eta Aquarids meteor shower and sporadic meteor watch IA
- Breakfast: Sunday 7:30am
- Departure from Mirpur Sakro for Karachi on Sunday morning
- Expected arrival in Karachi: 11:00am on Sunday, In-sha Allah.
What's Included
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1. Transport
2. Night Sky Tour
3. Sky watching tips and hands-on demos
4. Telescopic observation
5. Dinner (3rd May), Breakfast (4th May), Tea
6. Equipment discussions
The dinner at Mirpur Sakro will be homemade so you don't have to worry about hygiene. You are welcome to bring your own dinner if you like, however.
What's Not Included
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- Snacks
- First aid and medicines
- Camps, sleeping bags
- Anti-cloud portions(!)
- Any additional costs that may be incurred due to unforeseen conditions. However, this is the organizers' 22nd rutjuga and in no rutjuga so far the participants have had to pay additional charges.
Cost
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Rs. 2500/- per KaAS member (Non-refundable)
Rs. 3000/- per KaAS nonmember (Non-refundable)
Rs. 1500/- per person coming in their own rides
Registration
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To register for the event, please transfer the registration fee (Rs. 2500/-, Rs. 3000/- or Rs.1500/- per head as applicable) through any of the following methods:
1. Cash
2. Online transfer to the following account:
- Limited seats
- Participants will be confirmed on come first and get first basis
- Please email contact@kaasts.com with your name, email address and phone number with the amount that you have submitted.
- Registration deadline: 12:00pm PKT 2nd May 2014
Notes
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- Families are welcome
- Participants are responsible for their belongings themselves; the organizers will not be responsible for any loss of your items
- Please bring a sufficient quantity of mosquito repellent
- Drinking obviously not allowed
Feel free to ask if you have any questions or concerns!
