The third
weekend of November in the International Year of Astronomy has been decided as
the date for Milky Way Voyage. This time the Voyage will be for 3 nights.

Several
factors affect the selection of date for our national star party - weather,
festivals, and other astronomical events being organised, major astronomical
event happening in the skies.

Organisation
of Milky Way Voyage takes a lot of effort from various organisations.

The previous
year was the first time for Milky Way Voyage. The organisation began about 4-5
months before the voyage. In the beginning it took a series of trips to
Nainital by Me and Nilesh. Then the web page was set up. A lot of information
was gathered to be put up on the Voyage webpages, the gathering of information
like hotel rates also took some leg work. Subsequently SPACE joined in the
effort to mail the posters, mailers and letters. A few days before the Voyage
it took a lot of voluntary effort from people from SPACE, gathering materials,
telescopes etc. I personally transported seven of my telescopes to Nainital in
two vehicles. Preparations began at ARIES, Nainital 3 days before the actual
event was to start with the arrival of volunteers from SPACE and members of
Amateur Astronomers Association of Delhi. The actual organisation at Nainital
entailed transportation, opening ceremony, the contests, food arrangements,
organising the telescope areas, webcasting the photo contest etc. Efforts from
ARIES included cleaning up of the area, providing internet at site, providing
the 22 inch telescope, and other facilities.

Holding the
Milky Way Voyage also takes a lot of expense.

For the
previous year's Voyage expenses were borne by me, Nilesh and a large chunk was
borne
by SPACE. The expense of the entire Voyage was much more than the participation
fee received.


You would
really wonder why I am enumerating this list of efforts and expense. Just for
one purpose, that is to gauge how much enthusiasm is there to have a good
participation from amateur astronomers across India for conducting the Voyage
this year with three nights!

Moreover, as
the Voyage still does not have a regular following (since it has been conducted
only 1 time), the participation is expected to be divided among the various and
numerous events being organised in the IYA.

The
organisation of Milky Way Voyage star party for this year depends on the kind
of response that is received to this email.

Now by writing
this email I am sticking my neck out, what with all the criticisms of ulterior
motives happening all around. But I do hope this email will be taken as genuine
concern and replied in the same vein. We do have the option of seeking
sponsorship from private companies for holding the event, but why not keep it
simple, keep the costs down, spread the news by word of mouth and make Milky
Way Voyage self sustaining.

Please do
reply to this email with a yes or no. I believe this email will reach only
about 30-40% of the amateur astronomers in India. Please do help out by
spreading the word around with those amateurs who do not access email or are
not members of the many astronomy lists.

Hoping for the
best
Ajay Talwar




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