Milky Way Voyage, First Announcement Re: Geminid Meteor Showers

Ajay Talwar & Nilesh Vayada Present the Milky Way Voyage, in association with Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators, (SPACE).

The Milky Way Voyage (MyWave'08) organising committee for Year 2008 extends its warmest greetings to all readers of this First Announcement. We are pleased to inform you that planning for MyWave'08 is well under way, bringing a wide array of Amateur Astronomers, Planetarium & Observatory outreach Personnel from all over the India to Nainital in the Spring of 2008. This is the First ever National Star party being organised in India. Milky Way Voyage wants to be an annual event, evolving and getting better with each passing year.

Milky Way Voyage will take place at Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences, ARIES, Manora Peak, Nainital, Uttrakhand, India on the March 7th - 8th, 2008. The location will be Telescope
Grounds, between the 40" Sampurnanand Telescope and 22" Telescope Building at ARIES. Milky Way Voyage will start in the afternoon of March 7th, with a few light hearted presentations. Telescopes will
gather under the crystal clear skies of Nainital on two nights near a new moon. The largest amateur telescopes in India will be on site for viewing the heavens.

Invitation is extended to all Amateur Astronomers, Planetarium Educators, Observatory Outreach persons and Telescope Vendors in India. Milky Way Voyage will be able to offer a wide platform for interactions between Amateur Astronomers themselves and with Planetariums and Observatories across India. The current level of amateur astronomy in India is growing quickly. This star party will certainly be an eye opener for some, and opportunity to interact with people of similar interests for others. We are sure that all connected with astronomy in India will take advantage of this opportunity. Milky Way Voyage organizers are striving to create an national gathering that will provoke, question, enrich, and inspire all attending astronomy community members. Participants are encouraged to bring along their telescopes to the Milky Way Voyage. A strict lights-off philosophy will be enforced at the Voyage for best visual and photographic observations. The skies at Nainital are legendary, and will be remembered for many years to come.

The activities planned at site are the The Milky Way Voyage - A voyage of 135 beautiful Deepsky wonders, all within the River in the Sky, Messier Marathon, Best Astrophoto Contest, Best homemade telescope or telescope innovation in the telescope showcase.

Registration is now open at www.milkywayvoyage.org. Participation is limited to a total of 300. Please register yourself early to avoid disappointment. The last date for registration is 15th February,
2008. The fee for registration is Rs 500/- per participant. (which includes voyage materials, Snacks & Tea/coffee, shuttle services between Nainital city and ARIES. The registration amount does not include lodging & boarding)
We offer following payment options:
1.Pay cash at our Administrative office in Mumbai, address given below.
2.Send Demand Draft or Money Order or Cheque in favour of Milky Way Voyage payable at Mumbai. Address at which payment is to be sent - Milky Way Voyage 503A, Prem Kunj, Navroji Lane,Ghatkopar (W), Bombay 400086. Tel: 022-25119195 / 09323554536 / 09821082487
3.Direct Deposit or Fund transfer to Milky Way Voyage account with SBI. Account details: Account No 66019691677 Account Name: Milky Way Voyage. Please inform us after you deposit / transfer the money.
Retain your copy of pay in slip for the confirmation.
4.Online Bank transfer to our above SBI Bank Account
5.Payment by Credit Card on our website www.milkywayvoyage.org

Join the discussion group regarding all topics related to the Milky Way Voyage at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/milkywayvoyage
Hotel Accommodation

ARIES campus is situated 9kms from Nainital city (by road) although it is only 4 kms walking distance. There are numerous hotels in this tourist heaven. March 7th & 8th happens to be in the middle of off-Season, when maximum discounts are applicable on hotel rates. We have identified 3 hotels which we recommend to the participants.

Telephonic reservations are available in two, namely Welcome Park and Evelyn. We have tied up with these two hotels to get maximum discount possible for participants. Hotel Sarovar, which is run by the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN) has a booking facility at Janpath, New Delhi. We will endeavour to make a bulk booking in Hotel Sarovar. Booking will be made on 100% advance basis. The last date for making payment to us is 15th January, 2008. Alternatively online booking is available and there are a number of booking centres all over India for this hotel. More accommodation information is available on our website www.milkywayvoyage.org

About Nainital
Nainital is a glittering jewel in the Himalyan necklace, blessed with scenic natural splendour and varied natural resources . Dotted with lakes , Nainital has earned the epithet of 'Lake District' of India . The most prominent of the lakes is Naini lake ringed by hills . Nainital has a varied topography . Some of the important places in the district are Nainital, Haldwani, Kaladhungi, Ramnagar, Bhowali, Ramgarh, Mukteshwar, Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal. Nainital's unending expense of scenic beauty is nothing short of a romance with awe-inspiring and pristine Mother nature.

Milky Way Voyage is presented by Ajay Talwar & Nilesh Vayada, in Association with Science Popularisation Association of Communicators and Educators, (SPACE). Co-Organised by Confederation of Indian Amateur Astronomers (CIAA), Amateur Astronomers Association of Delhi (AAAD). ARIES has graciously agreed to host the Voyage at Nainital.

Milky Way Voyage
503A, Prem Kunj, Navroji Lane,Ghatkopar (W), Bombay 400086.
Tel: 022-25119195 / 09323554536 / 09821082487
E-mail: starparty@milkywayvoyage.org
Web site: www.milkywayvoyage.org

Calendar of Events
25th Dec, 2007 Registration Begins
15th Jan, 2008 Sarovar Hotel booking deadline
1st Feb, 2008 Second Announcement
15th Feb, 2008 Registration Ends
15th Feb, 2008 Astrophotography competition submission deadline
7th Mar, 2008 Voyage starts in the afternoon
9th Mar, 2008 Voyage ends at dawn