Bretti 2014

[AstroJason (Jason)]

Thanks for the info Glen. On my way up there now. Cheers

[glend (Glen)]

If you need directions you can ring me, pm sent with number.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

would like to thank everyone for making my 5 days away so enjoyable
great to meet and spend time with Duncan and Jason for the first time and thankful that Bretti finally turned on a clear nite for them on the Sunday

my rebuilt base and upgrades to my 8" Dob look like it was worth the time and money spent. very happy with the results of getting my primary recoated by Saintech

of course the weather allowed for a few group meeting to sample and review a few beers, bottles of port, rum and whiskey

looking forward to the next trip allready

geoff

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Likewise Geoff, I had a great time so thanks to everyone for welcoming us "under the tarp"

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Glad you guys got a good night on Sunday.
The sacrificial lamb thing (of early leavers) usually works!

I enjoyed the break and all of your company.
Until next time.

[Allan]

Chaffey Dam was great, not a cloud in the sky from Thursday afternoon. I had 4 good nights of observing and nearly 30 hours of eyepiece time. SQM peaked around 21.77 all nights except Saturday which was 21.62 for some reason, and the sky that night did look brighter than the other nights.

Now that the Hunter Expressway is finished and the road to Nundle is sealed the drive up was quite good. It took me exactly one hour longer to get there than Bretti. The place was deserted, and I had a long hot shower everyday. I can see myself spending more time there, especially when the weather on the coast clouds Bretti out.

[Allan]

BTW, Geoff it got down to about 2 or 3 degrees every night, but I was toasty warm inside the new suit. In the past I would sometimes go to bed when I got too cold, but the suit has fixed that problem, I love it. Thanks again

[AstroJason (Jason)]

Many thanks to everyone for welcoming Duncan and I and helping us set up our tents on arrival to beat that rain! Also thanks to Allan for inviting us to watch some footy on his TV. Had a great time up there and the site was super dark, not a light dome could be seen in any direction. I now believe in that sacrificial lamb thing as the sky was fantastic that night, sorry you guys missed out on it. My head hit the pillow at 6am that morning but with cloud expected for Monday night and only about 2 hours of sleep I was ready to head home.

Chaffey Dam sounds really good and I am keen to check it out some time in the future, sounds like its worth the extra hour drive just for the hot showers.

Thanks again all, looking forward to heading out there again some time.

Jason

[glend (Glen)]

Originally Posted by Allan

Chaffey Dam was great, not a cloud in the sky from Thursday afternoon. I had 4 good nights of observing and nearly 30 hours of eyepiece time. SQM peaked around 21.77 all nights except Saturday which was 21.62 for some reason, and the sky that night did look brighter than the other nights.

Now that the Hunter Expressway is finished and the road to Nundle is sealed the drive up was quite good. It took me exactly one hour longer to get there than Bretti. The place was deserted, and I had a long hot shower everyday. I can see myself spending more time there, especially when the weather on the coast clouds Bretti out.

Dam Allan, sounds like a great four nights, wish I could have made it. Did you get to see the Comet Siding Springs transit in front of the SMC (on a path right adjacent to NGC362 and 47TUC)? I was setup to try and image it but the cloud on the coast killed that idea. BTW that same comet is the one expected to pass really close to Mars on the 19th of October (like near miss close, 1/3 the distance between the earth and moon close) - I would like to be at a dark site for that.

[Allan]

G'day Glen. Yes I checked in on the comet every night. It was moving very fast so I would go back to it every hour and see it had moved. Under the dark skies it looked quite bright with a nice little tail. I did see it pass those big bright globulars in the SMC and that was a nice sight.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Allan

BTW, Geoff it got down to about 2 or 3 degrees every night, but I was toasty warm inside the new suit. In the past I would sometimes go to bed when I got too cold, but the suit has fixed that problem, I love it. Thanks again

yes Allan - you have to wonder how you ever enjoyed observing without one!

glad you had a good trip away

geoff

[glend (Glen)]

I want to point out that it's less than three weeks till the Spring Equinox (on the 23rd) and the New Moon (24th). Is there any interest in a short Dark Site trip during that period, mid-week is obviously best given the dates?

Hopefully the series of east coast lows will be over by then.

[AstroJason (Jason)]

Hey Glen, I am keen for a mid week trip. I'd be free from around the 22nd to 25th.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

September 22 to 25 suits me too.

[Fizics (John)]

Which site Glen Bretti or Chaffey?
I should be able to make it for the 24th and 25th.
Given Allan's report re Chaffey skies that might be the better option. There is the added benefit of mobile phone contact so early birds can report conditions

[AstroJason (Jason)]

That's a good point, I'm interested to check Chaffey out if others are, another plus are the showers.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

I haven't raised the subject yet let alone got any leash loosening approved, but I'd be curious about Chaffey, as it's different, and has showers

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

where are the PICS people?

geoff

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

The few pics I took are still in my camera. I have been thrust back into a busy work week and need some time to post a few. Soon I hope.

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Mine all came out crap but AstroJason has posted a couple of crackers in Deep Space and Nightscapes