Celestial Portraits
Astrophotography Gallery
SITE AND ALL CONTENT COPYRIGHT@ 1999-2010 REMUS CHUA UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED.
Celestial Portraits
This site contains a personal collection of astronomy images taken with various astronomical instrument in selected locations around the world.
"Astronomers say the universe is finite, which is a comforting thought for those people who can't remember where they leave things."—Woody Allen
"With every passing hour our solar system comes forty-three thousand miles closer to globular cluster M13 in the constellation Hercules, and still there are some misfits who continue to insist that there is no such thing as progress."—Ransom K. Ferm.
Punggai Expeditions
Punggai Expeditions
(Click on thumbnails to view larger images.)
Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Where else, after all, could one find so magnificent a view of the Omega Centauri globular? Midway in the south and suspended against a sky that is the colour of ink, the cluster is so spectacular through the eyepiece, you almost think you can reach out and touch it!
Where else does the Milky Way tapestries rise over the southern horizons dotted with swaying coconut trees with so vivid a presence that you might mistake it for an ominous storm cloud?
And what more natural setting could welcome amateurs than a frontier so remote and beckoning that makes it a true get-away from the blazen lights of Singapore?
PESP
The Punggai Astronomy Expedition Star Party is held at the Punggai Chalet Resort, which is loacted at the scenic beachfront of Tanjung Punggai and about a 1.5-hour drive from Johor Bahru. The resort comprises of 10 traditional wooden chalets and beautifully kept with all the modern amenities. Each chalet is equipped with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, television-sets, and hot/cold shower bathrooms.
1) Post-lunch Astronomy Swap Meet.
2) Chalet activities including swimming and beach strolls.
3) Evening sky tour for beginners.
4) Two nights of stargazing under pristine dark skies!
5) Chalet facilities include air-conditioned spacious rooms, wadding pool for children, beach volleyball court, beach soccer court, children playground, rental of BBQ pits, recreational activities (Carom, Table Tennis, Cycling, Darts, etc), Traditional massage, etc.
REGISTRATION AND RATES
SGD$130 per participant
The rate above will include room/accomodation, most meals, mineral water bottles, and two-way air-conditioned transport.
Registration (Dateline: XXX) can be done online here.
ACCOMMODATION
There are rooms already booked and allocated for all participants for your stay for PESP. The chalet rooms sleep 2-5 persons each and include private bathrooms. Meals are served at the Central Dining Hall, and include the following: breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Location
Location: Punggai, Johore (Approximately 15km south of Desaru)
Geographic Position of Open Fields: 2º 36' 13.2"N, 103º46' 48.9"E
Climate in May: Nights may be cold, be sure to bring warm clothes.
Meeting Venue
All participants will meet at the XXX. Air-conditioned mini-buses will be there to ferry all registered PESP participants in a no-transit journey to the resort. The same bus(es) will bring everyone back on XXX. We are expected to arrive back in Singapore on Monday evening. It is advisable to have an early lunch before boarding the bus on Saturday.
Things-to-bring List
Warm clothing
Adequate change of attire for entire course of PESP
Poncho/Raincoat (if it rains, let's hope not!)
Swimming gear (if you are keen on swimming or sun-bathing)
Hiking gear
Insect Repellant, sunscreen
Bath towel and personal toiletries, medicines
Flashlight with red lense or cellophane
Telescope(s) and accessories
Binoculars
Camera(s)
Snacks for the stargazing nights
Anti-dewing devices and telescope rain covers(for astronomy equipment owners)
Writing Material(s)
Star charts and books
Exploring the Region
You may like to explore the region around the resort. Some interesting places worth doing some sight-seeing are listed below:
- Ostrich Farm Tour at Sungei Rengit
- Fruits Farm Tour at Desaru Fruits Farm
- Crocodile Farm Tour at Teluk Sengat
- Muzium Nelayan at Tanjung Balau
- Fireflies at Sungai Lebam
Cellular Network Coverage
There is cellular network coverage in Punggai, and you should be able to use your global-roaming-activated cell phone anyway within the resort premises
Stargazing Nights
Do bring your own telescope and/or binoculars. If you are new to astronomy, the expedition offers a great opportunity to see what kind of instruments are available. If you do not own a telescope, feel free to ask to view through other instruments on the observing site, but do take care and not bump onto the instrument(s). A special area is provided for those engaging in astronomy imaging.
REGULATIONS
The organizers of PESP would appreciate if everyone turn all flourescence/sodium lights off after sundown. This provides a unique opportunity for you to become fully dark-adapted and remain so while observing under the dark skies. The following rules will be strictly enforced. We hope everyone will cooperate so that we can guarantee "star party dark" skies to each observer.
Light Use Guidelines
Vehicle headlights, parking lights, tail and brake lights, must remain extinguished. Coleman-type lanterns, campfires, grills, and outdoor lighting are NOT permitted. All flashlights must be equipped with red filters and should be pointed toward the ground at your feet. Red cellophane or fingernail polish is useful. Dim RED lighting for reading starmaps and equipmetn illumination is allowed. Laser pointers and any other form of directional lighting should be used with discretion as these may interfere with the observing/astrophotography by other participants.
In the event you must give off some light, give a yell! A precious photograph could be saved with a little warning. The lighting ban will be in effect when the sky is more than 10% clear. If it is raining, the ban will be lifted. If it is very cloudy with the potential of clearing or there are some holes in the clouds, please keep white lights to a minimum to protect other people's dark adaptation.
Exceptions to the ban will be provided to certain persons in cases of medical emergencies, accidents, etc. If you are going to bring a laptop out to the open fields, please ensure that the display screen is used at a very low intensity and/or away from the main observing area. The screen should be covered with red material or sufficiently shielded so light from them will not disturb neighboring observers.
Alcohols, etc
Boistrous or loud, obnoxious behaviour will not be permitted at PESP, especially during the observing conditions, or late at night. Drunken behaviour is grounds for immediate exclusion from the PESP stargazing hours. No pets are allowed in the open fields.
Although it is not strictly enforced, please refrain from smoking in the open fields after sunset. Mosquito coils should be strategically lit in places sufficiently away from precious telescope optics.