Tunisia was simply incredible

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Tunisia was simply incredible

Post by solarchat »

I have never seen a group of more motivated, educated and generally happy astronomers than the ones in Tunisia. Everything came together with Pedro Re coming and the gracious hosts in Tunis to make this an incredible adventure that I will never forget. I left all my equipment there and plan on sending more tomorrow. These people have almost nothing as far as mounts and scopes go but they had the most vibrant gathering of astronomy enthusiasts I have ever seen. Im going to know make sure that they have some equipment to match their motivation to share the science.

Here is a gallery of images and movies from Tunisia. Im shipping over my personal mount and a couple of personal scopes in the morning and am going to find a way to get them a couple big dobs as well. Anyone who wants to do something good for a very deserving group of welcoming people, Im open for ideas. They need solar scopes, imaging cameras, mounts and power tanks or batteries if you would like to ship them something. It is impossible to buy anything for astronomy from inside of Tunisia with the government in the shape it is currently in. They have hefty customs fees for everything. they have funding to pay but they have no means of electronic payment for goods on the internet. Its not really a money issue as much as a political one.

If you have any of those items that you would like to send to them let me know and I will give you the info. These people were awesome and extremely hospitable. The president of the club was a heart surgeon and most of the members were post graduate students at the college.

full gallery here:

http://www.stephenramsden.com/solarastr ... index.html

Pedro and I presenting the Coronado old style double stacked 60mm scope donated by Solarchat member Tommy Judson to the Tunisians

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10269448_720819704644594_8122283756163366316_n.jpg (93.45 KiB) Viewed 2935 times


Stephen W. Ramsden
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Re: Tunisia was simply incredible

Post by axlefoley »

Hey Stephen what's with the no seat belt, make sure you put your seat belt on when you get in a car in Australia other wise you and the driver will be fined.


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Re: Tunisia was simply incredible

Post by solarchat »

500+ pictures of Tunisia and thats your comment? :?:

I always wear a seatbelt. However some of the cars in Tunis had no seat belts as they were 30 years old or older.


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Re: Tunisia was simply incredible

Post by axlefoley »

Just thinking of your safety.

Strange seeing what it's like driving on the other side of the road.


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Re: Tunisia was simply incredible

Post by Sunwatcher »

So glad that great telescope has found a new home where it will be appreciated - Thanks Stephen!


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Re: Tunisia was simply incredible

Post by swisswalter »

Hi Stephen, Hi Pedro

thank you very much, congratulations. What an event, what a sky and what a croud. I see only happy faces


Only stardust in the wind, some fine and some less fine scopes, filters and adapters as well. Switzerland 47 N, 9 E, in the heart of EUROPE :)

from 7 am - 7 pm http://www.nanosys.ch

from 7.01 pm - 6.59 am http://www.wastronomiko.com some times vice versa ;)
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Re: Tunisia was simply incredible

Post by marktownley »

Excellent stuff stephen! I've enjoyed following your travels on FB.

I have some equipment I will send over to them - eyepieces, CCD etc - drop me a message as to the best way to do this.


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Re: Tunisia was simply incredible

Post by Montana »

Wonderful :hamster: :hamster: :hamster: what fun :)

Alexandra


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Re: Tunisia was simply incredible

Post by solarchat »

check your email Mark and thank you as always for leading the way on these things.

I cannot imagine a more deserving group of motivated young astronomers to get our support...


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Re: Tunisia was simply incredible

Post by marktownley »

Ok, a bit slow to do this, but a parcel going out to them tomorrow - some eyepieces and a star diagonal, and an opticstar windows based camera. As soon as I have the tracking details tomorrow Stephen I will forward them to you...


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Re: Tunisia was simply incredible

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Shipment enroute. I will contact you with details Stephen.


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Re: Tunisia was simply incredible

Post by Sunwatcher »

Good Deed Mark!

Stephen passed along back to me some very appreciated comments and thanks for the pieces I sent. Those you sent will compliment them.

Tommy


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Re: Tunisia was simply incredible

Post by Marcello »

Hey Stephen, what a great time you had there! Lot of Sun and happiness!

Yes, people from Tunisia are particularly peaceful and hospitable, that's my experience too, and by sure they deserve a better political situation. Things are changing there, and let's hope peace and prosperity may shine over there!

You, Pedro, Tommy, Mark and anybody else contributed are worth a big praise for your help and generosity to them.
Please send me a contact, I will give my little part of help.

Btw, I hope you did not miss to taste those delicious dates friuts :)


Play in the sunshine, we're gonna get over !!
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Re: Tunisia was simply incredible

Post by solarchat »

Thank you.

My next shipment will be to Umair Asim in Pakistan.


The address for Youseff and the awesome Tunisians is:


The address is:

Youssef ELMAHROUG
Astronomical Association of Tunisia
Street sakka N° 1 Bab Souika
Tunis 1006, Tunisia

phone +216 22 597 469

You should include a letter describing the contents as a donation with the used value listed. The letter should clearly state that the items are not for resale and are a humanitarian donation to the Astronomical Society of Tunisia from the Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project UK chapter to help educate students in Tunisia.


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Founder/Director Charlie Bates Solar Astronomy Project
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