Kulnura 27th May

[iceman]

Hi guys

Who's planning on going to Kulnura on the 27th May?

Froggy, I assume you're still there? I hope it's ok that we come up again?

I'll have my Vixen LVW by then, and hopefully my EQ platform will be working again too.

Looking forward to a good night!

[Octane]

I'll be in Sydney for follow-up blood tests and scans so will be in attendance, ready to image the night away.

Regards,
Humayun

P.S. *tugs on Andrew's sleeve; come along!*

[RB]

LOL.....You're tugging my sleeve, my girls are tugging my sleeve, even my sons are pleading with me.
What's a fella suppose to do?

OK. I'll be there but remember, you made me......:lol:

[cahullian]

Not this time guys. It's my sons 18 th Birthday on the 27 th, maybe next time...

[iceman]

Wish Ron a Happy Bday from us!

[Octane]

Woohoo! Glad to hear it. :)

Regards,
Humayun

[Octane]

We'll miss you, Gaz. :(

Happy Birthday to Ron. :)

Regards,
Humayun

[RB]

Yes, well we need to take some really really good dark and flat frames.
You know why, don't you H.....;)

[Rodstar]

I am hoping to make it with ALL THREE of my children. My wife is awy at a conference, so I am going to have to drag them all along. My mate Shane may also be coming with two of his children as his wife is at the same conference.....it could be interesting!

[nightsky]

I would love to go to Kulnura,"weather permitting" and meet other group members, but I have no idea how to get there :( any one like to give me directions.BTW I am at Woy Woy Thanks
NightSky

[iceman]

Hey mate, would love to meet you. Bring up your big dob? :) I'll take it home for you! :)

There's directions here: Map (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/downloads/kulnura_map.jpg) (250k jpeg).

PM me and I can give you my phone number to explain it to you if you're lost :)

[wavelandscott]

Campbell saw this and is strongly suggesting that we attend as well...I'll try and get approval from the boss and we will try and make it too (weather permitting)...

[iceman]

I might bring Jacob then, if you're coming with your brood, Rod..

[Rodstar]

My kids will love that, Mike!

Campbell's presence will also be great, Scott!

We'll get there much earlier than usual so the kids can run off their energy a bit, maybe 4.30-5.00pm-ish. I am even thinking of setting up a tent for them so they can play "cubby-houses" and crash while daddy observes 'til late...

[wavelandscott]

I was thinking along the same lines...great idea!

[Octane]

*steeples his fingers a la Mr. Burns and breaks out into megalomaniacal laughter*

Regards,
Humayun

[nightsky]

G'Day Mike,
Thanks for the directions, seems very straight forward, weather permitting,looking forward to it,it will also be good to put faces to the names :)
Arthur

[jakob]

Looking forward to see you all there!
Jakob.

[frogman]

Of course your welcome, and yes i am still here.
I will be charging an entry fee of 1 handshake from the new people ( with introduction ) and some coffee and milk if people want coffee on the night !
4:30 shouldnt be a problem as long as everyone is aware.....if there are games still going on, then scopes and cars are better left in the carpark till completion.... but players are usually finished by then anyhoo.

see ya all on saturday then huh ?

Anthony

[frogman]

OH another quick one..... if you have thermals :) and dew shields !

[Rodstar]

Thanks for your hospitality, yet again, Froggy.

Shane is bringing a large tent that will fit Shane and his kids up one end, and me and my kids down the other. We're going to set up about 4.30pm (assuming all paintballing has finished), get the kids settled, etc, and maybe even fire up the BBQ if that is OK Froggy? I understand the "tax" would be snags for you too!? We'll pack up bright and early the next morning so that we aren't in the way for Sunday's hoards.

[RB]

Just remember everyone, it's getting very cold here now.
Last night was down to 5 deg here at my place.

Sounds like it's gonna be a great get together.

[Octane]

That's OK; I've been in training, in Canberra. :D

Yep, it's going to be a great get together. I usually don't think about Kulnura until the afternoon I drive up. But, this time, all I've been doing is thinking about catching up with you special folk, and taking images, especially after the success of my previous Antares/Scorpius image. I've even got a imaging tasklist prepared. :cool:

Can't wait!

Regards,
H

[iceman]

Let's just hope the weather cooperates!

I've spoken to Jacob, he's keen on coming.

[ausastronomer]

I will be attending and plan on camping the night with my son Jake. I am bringing the bread rolls!! Rod is bringing the snags to feed the tadpoles.

Andrew Murrell will also be attending but unfortunately "Hector" is broken and I may, or may not get him fixed in time for Saturday Night. I will be doing my best to fix it in time for Saturday. As with cars and telescopes, there is no substitutre for cubic inches !!

CS-John B

[frogman]

guys.... geoff does not want anyone camping here...... if there is no sign of it EARLY in the morning i think it could be hidden.... Im not sure what the idea of "CAMPING" here is but for reasons known only to him, he dosent want it ! ...
tell me what the intentions are ?
Antohy

[frogman]

I just read what i typed and it looks nasty...
clarification....
If its a tent for rugrats to sleep in till pack up and go home time....fine
but if theres going to be tents in the morning when people turn up... i think there will be a problem !
Cool ???

[Rodstar]

Froggy, the plan for Shane and I was going to be to pack up at first daylight (which is when my kids will wake up, about 6.30ish). It will be difficult to pack up the tents in the wee hours because of all of the ropes etc. in the dark, and we had thought with the kids asleep in the tents, we could do some serious observing, perhaps later than I might usually pack up. John B (and possibly Scott M) are just following my lead on this plan.

I don't want to do anything that will get Geoff's nose (or your nose) out of joint, so if the rule is no sleeping over in tents, we'll have to go back to the drawing board with our plans.

Let us know what's OK and what's not.

[frogman]

ok .. sorry guys talked to craig about it and he says its not a good idea either !
sorry

[iceman]

Don't sweat it Froggy! Jacob can sleep in the car until I go home.

Weather report isn't looking the best :doh:

[wavelandscott]

Not a problem...we will figure something out...assuming the weather allows...

[GTB_an_Owl]

just a thought DAD's - how many kids can you sleep in a rented truck left out on the road ?????
you could share the cost

[Octane]

LMAO.

Nice one, Geoff.

Regards,
Humayun

[Satchmo]

Mike , I'm going to pass on that map to an Amateur astronomer who lives at Kulnura : he is apparently a member of the ASNSW. Is the field at the paintball park, what time onwards will people gather ?

Mark

[iceman]

Hi Mark.

Yes, the field is actually in the paintball park - just drive through the main gate and you'll see us in the paddock there.

Most people start arriving before sundown, i'd imagine any time between 4-6pm.

I think I might know of the guy at Kulnura - does he live up near the Koolang Observatory?

[ausastronomer]

Mark,

Generally, at this time of year people will start to arrive between 4:30pm and 5:00pm. Regardless, Anthony (Frogman) lives at Paintball and will be on site all day. Some straglers will arrive up to about 9pm. Some people will leave between 11pm and 12am, some diehards will stay till between 3am and 5am.

CS-John B

[Octane]

John,

Will you be joining myself and Andrew between 3 AM and 5 AM? :rofl:

Regards,
Humayun

[Octane]

All,

What's the weather looking like for tomorrow? I've been waiting for Kulnura since the last time we were there.

It is such a good gathering of people.

I hope it isn't clouded out.

Regards,
H

P.S. There is this woman here at work with *the* most annoying laugh that I have ever heard and it is driving me insane.

[Rodstar]

Given the tent embargo, my plan B is to come early (4pm) and leave fairly early (maybe 11pm), and set the kids up in the car when they are ready to crash during the evening. The kids will definitely be coming with me because Nina is away this weekend, and I am not going to miss the big K!

I am still keen for a BBQ, if we can use the facilities for that Froggy? Are there any plates/cutlery that we can use (on my undertaking to wash up afterwards?). If so, I will bring 2 dozen sausages and some onions to share with everyone, and John B is bringing 2 dozen bread rolls.

Even if the weather is looking a bit uncertain, it would still be nice to get together for the usual banter.

[frogman]

Shouldnt be a problem at all with the bbq guys .... ill just tell geoff that we are going to use it ! :)

See you all when you arive huh ! ???

How many need 240 ????
Bring an extension if you want power !

Anthony..
OH by the way someone over the last few visits would have found a 6 plug powerboard in their kit that they didnt start with ! :)

[Rodstar]

Thanks for that Anthony....there'll be some snags on the house for you, mate!:thumbsup:

[iceman]

40% chance of rain.. :( :(

[Rodstar]

Bugger. I guess that means 90% chance of clouds. :sadeyes:

[RB]

I hate to say this but last night was a perfect night up here.
Too tired to set up but the stars looked beautiful.

On another note, if the six plug powerboard doesn't show up maybe us regulars should look at all chipping in a little bit each to buy Anthony a new one.
It's the least we can do IMO.

:)

[h0ughy]

enjoy tonight if it goes ahead, we have a club BBQ and viewing night up here. So keep your cloud we don't want it!
Oh BTW I have a new pair of 20*80 triplet binos from andrews i am itching to try tonight - sorry but if it rains its not my fault!

[RB]

"It's not my fault".....he says casually. :mad2: :mad2: :mad2:

:lol: Enjoy David, let us know how you go.

[Rodstar]

Andrew, it was lovely and clear at Point Clare, too. I did a couple of hours of observing last night before exhaustion from a busy week got the better of me.

Not looking promising for tonight. I bought sausages (and onions) for tonight, but I suspect they'll have to go in the freezer and await better weather another time...heavy clouds and intermittent rain here at the moment.

[Rodstar]

I've just spoken with John Bambury. He's definitely not coming due to the weather. Shane and I have also decided against coming (rotten weather = rotten children). No snags tonight, sorry! :(

Hope to see you all next month (I'll bring some sausages then, and maybe the kids, although it really is getting very cold by June).

[RB]

It would've been nice to get together anyway and have a BBQ and a social even if it's cloudy, not sure what you guys think though or if it's ok with Anthony.
I'm not very far but I know it's hard for the rest to make the trip just for a social.

Any ideas?

EDIT: we must have posted the same time Rod.

[Octane]

Guys, what's happening with tonight? Has it been called off? Not impressed. :(

Regards,
Humayun

[wavelandscott]

Clouds and very tired children (I forgot about a birthday party with a jumping castle this afternoon...everyone is exhausted) mean we will be giving it a miss tonight...I am sorry to say.

Hope we can make the next one...

[Rodstar]

Just come back from a trip to Woy Woy with the kids. A surprising amount of clear sky greeted us. I'm in two minds.....kids are keen.....but the satellite map looks iffy. What is your view on the likely weather tonight, Froggy?

[frogman]

ill go check
*grumble grumble * " making me leave my heater" * grumble*
:D :D

[frogman]

cloud low and high !
your call guys

[Octane]

I'm dying to look through my telescope. It's been a month.

What do you reckon, Anthony?

I don't care what time we get the go ahead, I'm up for it.

Regards,
Humayun

[iceman]

I'm waiting until about 6:00pm and will make a call.

[jakob]

Mostly blue sky here.
I'm packing my scope.
Hope not to be alone!
:whistle:

[astropolak]

I am on standby as well....

RGDS Joe

[RB]

I'd like to come up Anthony, it looks like it's clearing to the west and if it's Ok with you I'll make my way over within an hour.

Mike and H probably will be on for tonight too.:) :)

[RB]

Come on Rod, we have unfinished business and I've got a can of "Glen 20" for afterwards. :whistle:

[RB]

Joe get those Pentax ready mate, it'll be a great evening.
Jakob see you there

[frogman]

ill be leaving here at around 10 to 7 to go get chinese !
im having a splurge

[astropolak]

On my way soon
Joe

[frogman]

GUYS ITS DONE IT AGAIN !!!! bloody cold but its clear !
Come on !

[iceman]

Beautiful, clear night! Transparency was great.

More later.

[wavelandscott]

I knew it...I just knew that after I decided not to come that it would clear up and be great...:mad2:

[Rodstar]

It is always the way, isn't it? I have determined NEVER again to assume what the weather conditions will be until nightfall.

In the end, based on other's comments, I came for a few hours, left about 9.30pm by which time the kids had had enough (temp was about 5 degrees, which is comfortable for me, but not for a 3, 4 and 7 year old). I set up Noah's ED80, but he didn't even look - too much fun listening to silly CDs in Mike's car with the other kids; Anthony had a play on the ED80, though, on hands and knees (the EQ3-2 tripod legs really do not extend far enough for BIG people). I would have loved to have stayed later, and sampled more of the sky and RB's provisions ;) (thanks for the coffee, Andrew!).

As others have noted, in the end the conditions were next to perfect, with only light dew, still conditions, and ink black sky. I had a wander around, enjoyed the views through some other scopes (good views in Joe's LX90 of M83 and M104). Jupiter nice and sharp in Mike's scope. Froggy's scope gave nice views of Antares (with a hint of the blue secondary). Thanks Anushka (apologies if my spelling is wrong) for cheering up Eva with a chocolate - it did the trick, and gave me a chance to pack up without her completely imploding! Nice to catch up again with Jakob and H too.

Thanks for the company everyone. See you in June, sans children I think.:P

[RB]

Last night turned out to be a great night for asto work.
After sundown the skies cleared and stayed that way all night.
I arrived at Kulnura to find Mike, Rod, H (Octane) and froggy setting up.
Since it was a busy week for me, I didn't bring a scope but planned to just socialise and wonder around having a peak thru other scopes.

I teamed up with H (Octane) and setup the "Hot Box" - my 240v power-plant.
The "Hot Box" was a workhorse, powering the LX90, the Dew Zapper with two heating elements, a DSLR charger, Octanes Laptop and a spare 240v hairdryer !!.
I also had an electric blanket on hand incase we needed to thaw out later :P
LOL the box was still going strong at 3.30am :scared:

H (Octane) set up his LX90 and eventually took some awesome images of "The Triffid Nebula", can't wait for this one H.

Mike was offering Hamburger so a few of us walked over expecting a nice warm feed.
Then we hear him say "here's the hamburger galaxy - ngc 5128 "
LOL and we were so hungry Mike. :lol:

All up another fantastic Kulnura get together and as always it was the company which made it so enjoyable, thanks everyone.
Hope everyone had a safe trip home.

:)

[Starkler]

Im jealous !

The number of viewable nights here in the last month could be counted on one hand :(

[GTB_an_Owl]

I am claiming the credit for the clear sky guy's.
had an emergency job on sat arvo and came home all wet and grumpy.
was still cloudy and spitting rain on my way home about 5pm, so i dried off and went to bed, cursing the fact there would be no stargazing to-nite.
all those clouds ended up in my head, and i was even grumpier when i got up about 8-20pm and all the clouds were gone - too late by then for me to get organised.
glad you all got a good nite in.

geoff