Melbourne sessions?

Varangian (John) · #1 09-07-2012, 11:55 PM

Hi, I am new to the hobby (well about 6 months new) and was wondering whether any Melbourne people get together for viewing sessions? I haven't seen much for the Melbourne area posted up here. I am a recent member of ASV but have not yet had the chance to get out to LMDSS yet.

I was wondering if any Melbournites drive out to nearby semi-dark sites (well darker than inner city) for observation sessions. I would be very interested in tagging along and picking up a tip or two if you do. Alternatively I would be happy to backyard observe if anyone is keen in the future? Do these sorts of things happen?

Don't worry I'm a mature-aged Dad with two kids and only a little bit crazy

GrampianStars (Rob) · #2 10-07-2012, 01:48 PM

Give Ken a call
"Snake Valley" just past "Ballarat"
http://ballaratman.wix.com/svaa#!contact

Chris.B (Christopher) · #3 10-07-2012, 02:03 PM

Does not look good for LMDSS this weekend at this stage.
I know the ASV used to try have local urban get togethers but no longer. I'd be interested as well.
There was a few also meeting up around Kangaroo Ground years back.
ASV meeting and observing tomorrow night.

Alchemy (Clive) · #4 10-07-2012, 03:35 PM

It's been so cloudy, most melburnians have just given up.
There used to be a group down the peninsula that had meets from time to time

Varangian (John) · #5 10-07-2012, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alchemy

It's been so cloudy, most melburnians have just given up.
There used to be a group down the peninsula that had meets from time to time

Ah yeah there is a club down there somewhere. That's okay I'l keep plugging away in the backyard and try to get out to SV or up to Heathcote as soon as I can.

trek1701 (Mark) · #6 10-07-2012, 04:32 PM

There's also the ASV's Members Night, GMT House, Observatory Gate, Birdwood Ave., Melbourne at 8.30-10pm on this Friday night.

Cheers Mark

Forgey (Paula) · #7 10-07-2012, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alchemy

It's been so cloudy, most melburnians have just given up.
There used to be a group down the peninsula that had meets from time to time

Yep the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society http://www.mpas.asn.au/index.htm. There still active with public viewing nights and members nights each month.

mishku · #8 11-07-2012, 09:28 AM

Hi

There's ASV at Botanic Gardens, Burwood (ASV Lodge) and LMDSS (Heathcote). They have all sorts of events running all the time, with regular trips to their dark sky site.

MPAS still meet down on the Peninsula, and there's a Melbourne Astronomy group on meetup.com. Some guys get together in Melb north, and there is a long-standing thread where people have expressed interest in getting together.

If you don't mind an easy weekend trip, Snake Valley (Ballarat) has been awesome, and there's two 4 day camps per year (March and November). They also have a monthly club night. ASV have some star parties through the year also.

Scienceworks at Spotswood also have some nights where they'll pull out scopes when they have an event at the Planetarium, but seeing is pretty poor in the shadow of the Westgate.

Can't half tell I'm a social butterfly

Mish

Varangian (John) · #9 11-07-2012, 09:41 AM

Thanks Mish

I am a member of ASV just have to find the time to get out there. With two kids (4 years old and a 20 week old) SV may be a fair way off, but I think I'll become and member and try to get out there sometime in the future.

I am in the north of Melbourne and catch ups outside Melbourne's north interests me, this may be the Kangaroo Ground events that was discussed earlier in the thread. Thanks again, John.

Chris.B (Christopher) · #10 11-07-2012, 10:13 AM

I'm not too far from there(KG). I was going to go scope out a few areas out my way, with lower horizons and less light than my driveway or balcony. I ran past a spot on Allendale Rd that may be ok. Also need to find a spot where we do not have to walk the gear too far to set up.
I'll let you know and see what we can organise.
Not sure how many others may be interested?

LMDSS is around 1 1/2 hrs from my place and an easy drive. Good for long sessions.

Varangian (John) · #11 11-07-2012, 11:10 AM

I'm about 30 mins from Allendale Road. If you can find a good spot the more the merrier!

Chris.B (Christopher) · #12 11-07-2012, 12:15 PM

I did find a good spot out near Yarambat but that has now had a housing estate built next door.

Allendale Rd is still rural once you cross the railway. Hopefully it will stay that way for a while.

scagman (John) · #13 11-07-2012, 03:58 PM

Hello,

A few times now I have had a couple of members join me at my place for a session of photon gathering and will probably doing the same next new moon, 21/7, depending on clouds.

If anyones interested in joining us PM me and I will let you know when.

Don't come expecting to pick my brain for any helpfull hints cause it would be worse than a blind person triing to get you across hoddle street in peak hour.

. But your

to come along anyway.

cheers

traveller (Bo) · #14 11-07-2012, 04:43 PM

Told you should charge people John

I never forget that sight of the milky way in your paddock. A true gentleman and a great host

Bo

mishku · #15 11-07-2012, 09:21 PM

Hahaha now he's outed himself, I can confirm that I meant John's place for a northern burbs catch up.

I think I've had the pleasure of meeting most of the souls who wander up (though have never actually made it myself...) and can vouch for them being gentlemen and scholars

Even if you didn't have little people to look after, Melbourne's "nuclear winter" has made me pretty unenthusiastic about trudging out to a cooooold paddock... roll on, Spring!!

Good luck with your observing

Varangian (John) · #16 11-07-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scagman

Hello,

A few times now I have had a couple of members join me at my place for a session of photon gathering and will probably doing the same next new moon, 21/7, depending on clouds.

If anyones interested in joining us PM me and I will let you know when.

Don't come expecting to pick my brain for any helpfull hints cause it would be worse than a blind person triing to get you across hoddle street in peak hour.

. But your

to come along anyway.

cheers

C'mon John, Hoddle street is a car park at 5pm, we could walk straight across

I'll bring out a thermos and a tin of biscuits. As long as there's a dark spot there I'm happy.

All the best John and thanks for the generosity. John.

scagman (John) · #17 12-07-2012, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by traveller

Told you should charge people John

I never forget that sight of the milky way in your paddock. A true gentleman and a great host

Bo

Quote:

Originally Posted by mishku

Hahaha now he's outed himself, I can confirm that I meant John's place for a northern burbs catch up.

I think I've had the pleasure of meeting most of the souls who wander up (though have never actually made it myself...) and can vouch for them being gentlemen and scholars

Even if you didn't have little people to look after, Melbourne's "nuclear winter" has made me pretty unenthusiastic about trudging out to a cooooold paddock... roll on, Spring!!

Good luck with your observing

Thankyou both for your kind words. "Gentlemen"

.

I'm with you on that one too Mishku. I've missed a few nights due to the thought of going out there and freezing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Varangian

C'mon John, Hoddle street is a car park at 5pm, we could walk straight across

I'll bring out a thermos and a tin of biscuits. As long as there's a dark spot there I'm happy.

All the best John and thanks for the generosity. John.

Your welcome.
It's been 20yrs since I've had to put up with peak hr traffic. It sound a lot worse now.

Regards

alistairsam · #18 14-07-2012, 12:25 PM

John's skies are amazing for just a 50min drive out of melbourne. Forecast for the 21st looks good, if the weather holds up and if John's available, I'll be heading out there.
http://www.weatherzone.com.au/long-r.../north-central
Need to get there by 5 this time to allow sufficient time for setup.
hope to try some imaging with my 10" serrurier truss.

I've been thinking of buying these heated jackets as well
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/370609243...ht_1454wt_1002
but full thermals work and I was a lot more comfortable at -1 than usual.
John, just get that 30mm or 40mm EP for your finder and you'll be singing.

scagman (John) · #19 14-07-2012, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alistairsam

John's skies are amazing for just a 50min drive out of melbourne. Forecast for the 21st looks good, if the weather holds up and if John's available, I'll be heading out there.
http://www.weatherzone.com.au/long-r.../north-central
Need to get there by 5 this time to allow sufficient time for setup.
hope to try some imaging with my 10" serrurier truss.

I've been thinking of buying these heated jackets as well
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/370609243...ht_1454wt_1002
but full thermals work and I was a lot more comfortable at -1 than usual.
John, just get that 30mm or 40mm EP for your finder and you'll be singing.

Those jackets look good. I see you can get them for $230 inc. bat. and charger. http://www.justtools.com.au/prod7111.htm or were you just going to plug into an external power source?

I've got a 30mm. Had 1 all the time. I spent a lot of time getting the finder alligned up accuratly now. Can center a street light 10k's away in a 12.5mm illuminated EP in the finder and it's centered in the 12.5mm EP in scope. So that should make it a lot easier.

Now just need to work out why PHD wouldn't calibrate.

Can you use a street light to test PHD by turning tracking on so the light drifts or by using the hand controller to move the mount so the light moves around a bit? Will try this method tonight.

See you next week, skies permitting.

alistairsam · #20 14-07-2012, 02:54 PM

Hi john
From memory, the 30mm fov wasn't wide enough but if you've got it in a 12 mm, then might be ok, better to get a 40mm though, even a plossl should do
I'll try calculating the fov of an 8x50 and compare with yours with a 30mm.
As for the street light, as long as it recognizes its a guide star, it should do the calibration, have a look at the brain settings, or uninstall phd, remove the program files folder and reinstall with defaults! Or why don't you try guiding with maxim. There should be some videos on YouTube
This jacket works out a bit less
http://www.jett.us.com/