Brisbane Comet Lovejoy chasing expedition??

adman (Adam) · #1 23-12-2011, 04:53 PM

I am thinking that tonight I might set out around 11pm or midnight and just keep driving west to try to find some clear skies.

On SkippySky it looks as though out west of Toowoomba (Pittsworth maybe...?) there might be a chance of having a clear eastern horizon.

I am just about tearing out my hair that this comet is going to fizzle away into nothingness and I don't get a look at it...

Anyone up for a midnight comet safari?

lepton3 (Ivan) · #2 23-12-2011, 05:02 PM

Adam, Good plan!

From my reading of the charts, I think there is a good chance the comet will fade to about 6th mag by mid next week, so although it will be higher in the sky, it may be harder to see.

So I reckon do it. You'll only regret it if you don't.

-Ivan

Mliss (Mel) · #3 23-12-2011, 05:45 PM

You're certainly not alone Adam. There are a few members around getting set with the same idea. i'd come just for the adventure... but you know, i've already seen it

*cough* sorry

hope you find some comet buddies.

adman (Adam) · #4 23-12-2011, 06:40 PM

I am going to try to get a few hours sleep before I go, so I can just keep driving until I hit clear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mliss

but you know, i've already seen it

*cough* sorry :lol

Mliss - you better hope we never meet - I will give you my rendition of "cleeeeewwwwd disappear" that I will be practicing as I drive west tonight.

renormalised (Carl) · #5 23-12-2011, 06:46 PM

Buy a large industrial fan from Bunnings....it's cheaper than the petrol you'll be spending money for and you don't have to rabbit on like a madman to get your own way!!!

renormalised (Carl) · #6 23-12-2011, 06:46 PM

But has only a slightly better chance of working than the psycho approach

RickS (Rick) · #7 23-12-2011, 06:48 PM

Adam,

I have my mother-in-law visiting for Christmas so I'd love to go for a long drive west of Brisbane, but my wife would probably kill me when I returned.

As an alternative, how much would you charge to take her with you?

Cheers,
Rick.

DavidU (Dave) · #8 23-12-2011, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickS

Adam,

I have my mother-in-law visiting for Christmas so I'd love to go for a long drive west of Brisbane, but my wife would probably kill me when I returned.

As an alternative, how much would you charge to take her with you?

Cheers,
Rick.

CometGuy · #9 23-12-2011, 06:55 PM

Adam,

I'm in! Am planning to heading west past Toowoomba towards Goondawindi. I'll likely leave somewhere around 10-11pm or so.

Will PM my contact details.

Terry

mishku · #10 23-12-2011, 06:58 PM

OHMYGOD!

As I was reading this, I was thinking, "surely, the ultimate is to go comet hunting with the comet hunter himself?"

Wonder if I can get a flight to Brisvegas in time to join the safari

Have fun!!

Suzy · #11 23-12-2011, 07:01 PM

Don't head to Warwick- I have friends there and they said it was clouded out.

Liz · #12 23-12-2011, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CometGuy

Adam,

I'm in! Am planning to heading west past Toowoomba towards Goondawindi. I'll likely leave somewhere around 10-11pm or so.

Will PM my contact details.

Terry

Wow, what an opportunity Adam with the man himself!! Hope it clears so you can see it in its glory.

I am heading 1 hr west of Townsville in the morning as am yet to see the comet in a dark sky!! Please stay away clouds - please all head to Darwin instead, sorry ian.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #13 23-12-2011, 07:04 PM

http://www.weatherzone.com.au/satellite/qld/infrared-bw

I'm so sorry guys. Heading West won't be giving you any joys.
Maybe heading North will give clearer skies.

Give us a hoi if you are going up the coast, I'll come along for the ride.

CometGuy · #14 23-12-2011, 07:20 PM

Have been watching the satellite, there is that pesky low NE of Fraser Island thats feeding moisture onto the coast and into the trough. The trough seems to be further east than what it was yesterday, so if we go far enough west we might get decent clear skies. I was thinking of maybe Chinchilla or even Miles if necessary.

Will evaluate later tonight..time for some rest

Terry

Kevnool (Kev) · #15 23-12-2011, 07:34 PM

Good luck fellas.
Hope the clouds PO for you.

Cheers

Liz · #16 23-12-2011, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mishku

OHMYGOD!

As I was reading this, I was thinking, "surely, the ultimate is to go comet hunting with the comet hunter himself?"

Wonder if I can get a flight to Brisvegas in time to join the safari

Have fun!!

i thought the same thing!!

Very unusual here in Townsville with clear blue skies, though thunderstorms predicted later, but my brother tells me the ex cyclone travelling down the coast is sucking all the cloud into it from up here. Hoping for clear skies in the am.

DavidTrap (David) · #17 23-12-2011, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RickS

Adam,

I have my mother-in-law visiting for Christmas so I'd love to go for a long drive west of Brisbane, but my wife would probably kill me when I returned.

As an alternative, how much would you charge to take her with you?

Cheers,
Rick.

Post of the year I say!

Sorry I won't be able to join you on your road trip - too many late nights already this week.

All the best,

DT

swannies1983 (Dan) · #18 23-12-2011, 08:01 PM

Good luck all. Hoping for clear skies for you. I can understand your frustration. I missed McNaught as I was in Europe at the time. Didn't help when some friends kept sending me texts saying how great the show was.

shelltree (Shelley) · #19 23-12-2011, 08:09 PM

Good luck guys! I've already talked Jase into getting up at 2:30am tomorrow morning to head to the Gold Coast (probably around Currumbin area), in the hopes that we will get a break in the clouds. We were intending on doing sunrise anyway but I don't think even me with my persuasive woman powers could get him to start driving somewhere at 10-11pm tonight

If you guys don't end up going as far or if anyone else is interested, give us a holla via pm

Cheers!

adman (Adam) · #20 23-12-2011, 08:24 PM

well - we're goin' on safari!

Initially heading to Dalby then see where to go from there. Just taking my alt/az mount and 550D with a selection of lenses - 70-200L, 17-40L and nifty fifty (oh...and Ricks mother-in-law). Something in that line up should do!

Will keep you posted! I'm off to try to get some sleep....ahh who am I kidding...

Adam