Doings at Wiruna

Instrumentation

A 40 inch F/6 Newtonian has been erected adjacent to the house on the western (or upper) observing field. Utilising an obsidian mirror figured by noted optician David Colouredbudgy, the telescope is not driven or moveable, but scans that section of sky made available by the Earth's rotation.

Biological Rodent Control

As some of our members have been startled by mice near the club's Quadrophonic Neutrino-Detector, Club Conservationist Col McMickle considers that establishing a colony of snakes therein is a means of biological control. He has selected Red Bellied Blacks as the appropriate species, being good rodent hunters, but shy, retiring snakes with such a low toxicity in venom that some persons bitten have recovered, and lived, without the need of medical assistance. Initial tests have been encouraging.

Phone Box for Wiruna

Having established which part of the eastern (or lower) observing field, has the best mobile phone reception, astro-photographer Monte Willsin has been negotiating for the acquisition of a surplus phone box currently in the Central Business District of Sofala.

The phone box (left) is scheduled for removal from Sofala's main street to make room for the new Cinema complex, Shopping Mall, and Opera House currently being planned by the Darwin Awards Foundation, of Walla Walla, Washington, USA.

Fully restored to it's former glory, the phone box may well be installed at Wiruna in time for SPSP 2003, enabling Star Party attendees to utilise their mobile telephones from within a genuine antique phone box.

Grazing Occultation

There was a large turnout at Wiruna for the new moon weekend in February 2002, in the hope of observing the rare and elusive grazing occultation of Mars by Aldebaran, which is currently in the constellation of Taurus.

However, gravitational lensing caused by an inconveniently placed cluster of near earth asteroids meant that the objects were too widely separated for Australian observers to witness the event.

Wiruna Radio Telescope

There have been ongoing problems in getting our vintage radio telescope to do a little more than establish the comforting fact that the sun is still radiating.

After some careful research, the simple expedient is being put into effect - that of placing it closer to the radio sources being studied. A surplus 35 metre high tower has been secured and will be dismantled and re erected on the western (or upper) observing field by April 2003. The radio telescope will then be hoisted to the top of the tower so as to be able to undertake some serious work.

Observing

Members attending at new moon weekend at Wiruna enjoy the advantage of advice from experienced members on observation techniques, telescope construction, collimation etc…

Pictured left, is a typical healthy debate concerning the controversial question of which end of a Newtonian Telescope the primary mirror works most effectively. In the healthy traditions of the society, all conflicting opinions were taken into account and a vote was taken on the matter before the telescope was finally assembled.

Lawn Cemetery

As part of the service offered to members, a portion of the Wiruna site is being developed as a lawn cemetery.

A tasteful selection of trees has been planted, and a wheeled coffin carrier and wheeled pulpit are being trialed to determine the size of wheel necessary to negotiate the turfed area of the site. Members are asked to postpone dropping off until at least 2004, as we do not feel that the site will be ready to receive guests until then.

As a special public duty, the Society offers to the Australian public at large a free service to self confessed intellectuals, retired politicians, and media gurus.

They can have their ashes interred free of charge by having them reverently deposited with the biomass of the Society Quadrophonic Neutrino Detector, and in such manner continue their public service by being part of on going scientific research.

Wiruna Tree Plantation

As there is experimental evidence suggesting that increased Carbon Dioxide (CO2) levels can accelerate plant growth, ASNSW Horticultural afficinado Don Whitelight has been conducting a controlled experiment on the new tree plantation at Wiruna.

Inspired by the steady growth of grass on the roof of Parliament House at Canberra, prompted by prodigious outpourings of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S), and associated Bullshit (BS) during Parliamentary debates, he has had volunteers undertake sessions of breathing into the plastic enclosures protecting the young seedlings.

Initial results are so encouraging that Club Conservationist Col McMickle is now training the resident Eastern Grey Kangaroos to deposit their droppings adjacent to the plants.

While admittedly not of the same awesome quality as Parliamentary Bullshit, Col feels that this may be made up for by the equation of native trees plus native droppings.