Mangrove Mountain (Pony Club) July

[Allan_L]

It seems like ages since we were last there.
But long range forcasts look promising for the coming week.

Who is interested?

Location: Wisemans Ferry Road Mangrove Mountain.
GPS: 33* 20' 17.6" : 151* 9' 25.6"
Facilities: What you bring with you
Usually someone there 30min before sunset
Goes till after midnight
INFORMAL
Friendly
Free admittance (maybe bring some snacks for sharing)

[Arthur Alchin]

Ooh, ooh , ooh a night up the mountain, oh boy sounds great. Weather permitting and dew heater inn place is will make my darnnest effort to be there, thanks Allan

[Shano592]

Can it possibly happen? I certainly hope so.

Just to be safe, nobody buy or take delivery of any new astro gear in the coming few days.

Are we talking about Friday or Saturday? I'm good for Friday, at least. Though I won't get there until after 5pm, due to work and traffic.

EDIT: Have we been given access to the precious tin shed yet? Is it worth bringing sausage rolls, for reheating?

[Allan]

I have been waiting for the weather to co-operate for months now since I picked up my new dob. I'm keen to come down from Newcastle to meet you guys.

Only problem, I've got 2 new Delos eyepieces waiting for me to pick up from Bintel on Thursday. So I apologise in advance.

[Rick Petrie]

Saturday out for me but Friday OK.
Weather looks promising for a change.:prey:

[jakob]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thum bsup:
Witch night?

[Allan_L]

Friday suits me better too.

[Shano592]

OK, so Friday as first choice, Saturday as alternate / second event (for those of us really needing a double-dose)?

Sounds good to me!

[Inmykombi]

Can't do Friday sorry, looks like I miss out again.
Saturday looks like its out then as Friday seems most popular.
I just cant get a break at present. Either the weather is crappy, or I have stuff on.

Geoffro.

[Irish stargazer]

Sounds good. Its been a while now. Forecast looks good

[Arthur Alchin]

Saturday is the good one for me but if outvoted will have to miss this month, cant do anything about it, such is life ��, will be working on dew heaters all day friday and sat morning

[Inmykombi]

Fridays are never good for me due to my work'. Saturday nights are usually the only night I can make it.

[Rodstar]

I am interested in Saturday night if we can get together a quorum....

[Shano592]

Looks like both nights are shaping up to be great.

I'm a definite starter for Friday, but not sure for Saturday.

Rod, I can probably drop you my key on Saturday, if a keyholder is all that's needed. You're close by to me.

[Rodstar]

Hi Shane, thanks for the offer. These days I have a key, so I am all good on that front.

[Shano592]

Good stuff, then Saturday is accounted for!

I'll still be going on Friday.

I have decided to get it while it is there, having missed out on Allan's mid-week offer last month, and then the weekend being terrible.

[Allan]

What time do you guys turn up?

I can make both nights, but will do Friday as that still seems to be the popular night this month. Look forward to it.

[jakob]

I'm planning to be there at sunset
Hope somebody will be there with a key
:)

[Allan_L]

Hi Allan
Look forward to meeting you.
People arrive and leave at any and all times.
For a first timer, it is generally a good idea to arrive there before it gets too dark.
So you can get the lay of the land, start setting up, meet and greet, etc..
Do you have a red torch or head light?

Someone usually gets there before sunset.
That will be about 5:00
I expect that I will be there about then.
What time do you expect to arrive?

If you ordered one of the freezer suits recently, bring that. It will be cold.
Else ski gear, or several warm layers.

[Allan_L]

Hey Jakob,
Friday? Right?
Glad you can make it.

I am aiming at being there at 4:55.
(give or take 10 minutes)

Allan

[Allan]

Hi Allan

I was planning to get there a little before sunset to see the place during daylight. Thanks, see you then.

[Rodstar]

Assuming the forecast for clear weather holds out, I will aim to be there on SATURDAY by about 5.30pm.

[Inmykombi]

Working till late Saturday, so I will be unable to make it.

[Rodstar]

Damn shame Geoff. At present I appear to be the only contender for Saturday. I will need a few more to indicate a capacity for Saturday, or I will just set up in my backyard!!

[Irish stargazer]

I'm good for Saturday.

[sally1jack]

i will be there sat 5- 5.30 with freezer suit
phil

[Shano592]

I will be there today (Friday), around 4:45 - 5pm. Hopefully.

Let's see what Friday traffic has to say about it.

See you all there.

[gb_astro]

Looks like I can't make either day.
Hope the seeing improves for you guys.
In Sydney last night it was really terrible.
Greg.

[gb_astro]

Phil, you have that purple monster up and running yet?

Greg.

[Allan_L]

Packed and leaving now.
Be there around 5
see you there all and sundry

Allan

clear skies :prey2:

[Rodstar]

Looking forward to seeing John and Phil (and anyone else who can come) on Saturday night.

Clear skies for those going tonight.

[Irish stargazer]

Any key holders for Saturday night? I haven't been out since SPSP. Looking forward to getting out under the stars.

[Rodstar]

That would be me John! ;)

[Rodstar]

I have spent some time this morning blowing off the cobwebs off the Mary Rose, and have purchased a new 1200 Amp battery pack:

http://catalogues.repco.com.au/offer/tools-equipment/projecta-12v-jumpstarters/4v5lndtjo.html?source=catalogue

After 6 years of faithful service, my previous 1000 Amp Projecta battery pack has finally been retired.

See you all later!

[Irish stargazer]

Sorry guys, fever, aches and pains, headache. I've picked up the flu. Hoped I would feel better by 3pm but its not happening. Have to give tonight a miss:(

[Rodstar]

Hope you feel better soon John. Sounds nasty.

I will still be there (with Phil at least). Any other takers???

[astropolak]

I am in..., could not pass on such a good company....:)

[Rodstar]

Joe! Great news!

Any chance of some of Anushka's famous cookies?!!!

Will look forward to catching up!

[jakob]

Southern Pinwheel Galaxy
Swan Nebula
Centaurus A (single frame)
Omega Centaurus
Sombrero Galaxy

Not happy with the focus, must do better!

Very enjoyable night :) in good company.
No Dew, cold feet and flat PC battery.

[Allan_L]

Thanks for posting Jakob.
I think they are pretty good.
I can recognise them all.

YES, Friday was a great night, with a huge roll up.
Nice to meet so many new people.
And the weather was the best for ages.
And not a hint of dew.
Locked the gate at 20 past midnight.
Thanks to all who came, see you next time.

Hope tonight was good for the others.

[Arthur Alchin]

Thanks Allan, did a late setupinthe front yard friday night, sydney saturday evening unfortubately.

Had some great views of the north, east and west skies. Found a double that was unknown to Geoff. Alberio: was very inpressive. Once we blinkered the street lights the viewing was excellent. Called it anight at 2300hrs. Nearly completed the Dew heaters, should be able to keep the scope 2-4 gegrees above dew point all the time, with a purge function

[Rodstar]

Hi all, glad to hear the Friday night group had a good time.

A small faithful band gathered last night: Phil Townside, Jo (Astropolak) and me.

Not a cloud in the sky, and with a light breeze there was no dew to contend with. However, there was significant skyglow that was so pronounced that it was akin to having a bit of moonage. Seeing started off pretty good, but deteriorated by 11pm.

We had ABC radio up loud from my car so we could listen to the Wallabies getting thrashed by the British and Irish Lions. Oh dear.

I brought along some Glendronach Batch #2 cask strength single malt whisky, with some Glencairn nosing glasses, which Joe and I savoured as we admired the Milky Way (Phil abstained). Not a bad way to warm us up in conditions which got progressively colder, ending up at about 2.1 degrees.

Joe had his 10" LX200 coffee grinder, which gave a nice 3D view of Omega Centauri with the Denk binoviewers plus 17mm UWANs. Unfortunately technical issues plagued Joe, possibly due to battery failure?? The CIA are investigating....

Phil came scope-free and was a great assistant in setting up and commandeering the Mary Rose. We caught up and had a good giggle about a range of subjects, and also some good man talk about matters of the heart.

To the subject matter of astronomical observation, and I can report that we enjoyed a number of targets, ranging from the usual suspects as a warm up: Omega Centauri, Centaurus A, Eta Carinae, Pavo Globular, Saturn, etc, before doing some more serious observing of less common items. Phil particularly liked M80.

I found a tiny tight glob in Centaurus that was right next to a yellow-white star with heavy shroud of nebulosity. I also enjoyed the Centaurus galaxy cluster, which is so thick with faint galaxies that the area has the appearance of "lumpiness".

We spent some time in Saggitarius, highlights included the Triffid Nebula (M20), the Lagoon (M8), the Star Cloud (M24) - note I found another tiny globular hidden in the Star Cloud -and the Swan (M17).

With plummeting temperatures, and astronomical appetites satiated, we packed up and left about 11.15pm.

Thanks to Phil and Joe for a lovely night.

Clear skies and slainte!

[GTB_an_Owl]

glad you boys enjoyed the evening Rod
given the conditions of late, a clear sky and no dew is indeed a bonus
we too noticed the skyglow from Sydney seemed more pronounced

geoff

[Irish stargazer]

Probably just as well I couldn't make it last night then:lol:

Feeling better today after a rough day yesterday. I hope the weather next New Moon is as good as this weekend.

[Rodstar]

Thanks Geoff - the skyglow was frustrating as it meant less contrasty views, but was not a major problem.

John - congrats on the outcome of the rugby! And glad you are feeling better.

[ausastronomer]

Hi Rod,

Great to hear you guys had an enjoyable night. That globular to which you are referring would be NGC 5286, also cataloged as Caldwell 84. A really pretty little glob nicely set off with M centauri right beside it. One of my favourites through late Autumn and winter.

Cheers,
John B

[Rodstar]

Good to hear from you John!

[sally1jack]

While the seeing wasn't great we did have some nice views ,the company made the night thanks Rod & Joe, i believe we saw 2 degrees on Rod's scope , the freezer suit did it's job though
phil :thumbsup:

[arc4ne]

Damn! Looks like I logged on just a little too late :(
I was hoping there might be a catch up, Sorry I haven't been active in some time, I've been flat out with Uni the past few months!

Hopefully there is a catch up soon! :)

~Kev

[Allan]

I had a great time on Friday night. Everyone I met was for the first time. I really enjoyed showing off my gear and looking through everyone else's stuff.

I saw Pluto for the first time. Sensed some people were scepticle, but saw it again on Sunday and it had moved so that confirmed it for me.

Look forward to catching up again and look forward to the dark sky's at Bretti.