Pony Club 3rd Aug [Archive]

osteoblast

31-07-2013, 08:21 PM

I'm also keen to attend this (I'm based in Northern Sydney). This would be my first time at the event and I would need some details regarding location etc! Also let me know whether it is traditional to bring any particular items (besides scope). In the UK the 'Jaffa Cake' was the usual staple.

(Apologies, I just saw the sticky thread with directions)

Shano592

31-07-2013, 10:42 PM

Interested too.

Allan, does that mean we should submit a shopping list to you? :lol::lol:

Allan_L

01-08-2013, 12:32 AM

Hi Osteoblast,
Welcome :welcome:
To bring:
Scope
chair
red light torch or head-light
warm clothes (multi layer is good- freezer suit is better)
beverages (optional)
Jaffa cake or similar (sounds good :thumbsup: )

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

Allan

01-08-2013, 07:45 AM

G'day Shane,

I will be in Dallas. I can pick up anything you need, and my commission is very modest:D

Shano592

01-08-2013, 08:08 AM

Hehe ... I'm ok for this time ...

Enjoy the Lone Star state. I guess you'll have to find a dark site there ... maybe a cockpit at 37000 feet.

Rick Petrie

01-08-2013, 11:50 AM

Definitely interested but not a definite starter as yet. Weather looking promising.:thumbsup:

MortonH

01-08-2013, 01:53 PM

Alas, my wife is crook so no observing for me this weekend :(

osteoblast

01-08-2013, 09:39 PM

Thanks for the advice and grid reference Allan (_L), I hope to say thankyou in person on Saturday.

Rodstar

02-08-2013, 07:33 PM

Confirming that I will be there with a key (and 2-3 interested visitors) by about 5.45pm. See you all there!

Fizics

02-08-2013, 09:19 PM

I was hoping to make it this month but have a dinner engagement.
Regards to those who know me, I have been overseas for past few months. I am planning on going to Bretti camp next month and the Pony club October then travelling again.

May the skies be clear,
John

03-08-2013, 11:27 AM

RB is go for launch !
Commencing countdown.....see you there.....

:)

Irish stargazer

03-08-2013, 11:32 AM

Should be there around 5.30pm or so:thumbsup:

Rick Petrie

03-08-2013, 12:28 PM

My status has now risen to definite starter. Will be carrying Inmykombi (Geoff) in tow. Should have ETA around 5 ish and will have key to open if no one else there before me. See yaz all.:thumbsup:
Be good to catch up RB...it's been awhile.

03-08-2013, 12:45 PM

Oh I'm so looking forward to it Rick !!!

:)

GTB_an_Owl

03-08-2013, 01:46 PM

then i guess i have to come too

geoff

Inmykombi

03-08-2013, 03:05 PM

Sorry, but I am not going to get there due to a nasty persistent headache that I have had all day.

I wouldn't be very good company if I came along. Have a great night.
It looks great outside from here.

Geoffro.

Allan_L

03-08-2013, 03:53 PM

How disappointment!
Isn't there something you can take for that...
...Paracetamol?
...Bourbon?

It won't be the same without you...
...it will be quieter (without the meat grinder I mean :) )

Take care Geoff,
I will be travelling to Victoria next two weeks.
So probably wont see you until Bretti. :sadeyes:

Rodstar

04-08-2013, 07:35 AM

Thanks everyone for your fine company last night.

The skies were somewhat murky at times, but we had some excellent clear portions of sky for most of the night, and seeing was quite steady near zenith.

Geoffro surprised us by coming after all, and bearing gifts of lolly pops to boot!

Great to see RB again after a long absence - while the chickens are away....

It was great to meet Mark who came from North Sydney with his 12 inch Dob (nice views of M8 and M20 thank you!).

A big thank you to Allan who kindly loaned me his laser pointer so that I could explain things a little more easily to my three visitors - Shona, David and Lerle. They had a great time, especially Lerle, who entertained us with her "wows" and "that's amazings". She asked lots of probing questions and really delighted in just how much she could see through a large telescope. I think her favourite was the Sombrero gxy, followed by Saturn.

Good to catch up with some of the other usual suspects, Greg, Rick, John and GTB the Owl.

Until next time...

Irish stargazer

04-08-2013, 08:02 AM

Great turn out last night. Had to leave just before 10pm to be home as promised at 11pm. Despite the high level cloud I did manage to get a few shots with the Canon and Polarie.

Milky Way 10 x 2 minute frames

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3697/9432348452_ab4b780e78_k.jpg

Antares region 13 x 1 minute frames

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/9429596233_d812b40f29_h.jpg

Antares through the murk 10 x 1 minute (early on)

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/9433005340_df15e15677_k.jpg

gb_astro

04-08-2013, 10:34 AM

Great shots John.
Don't remember it being that good :).
Might have to get a camera.

Greg.

GTB_an_Owl

04-08-2013, 01:59 PM

yes - it was definitely a night to enjoy the company

though the sky seemed ok at times - as usual, looked like improving once everyone decided to pack up

good to see the "Mary Rose" and Rod out in the field again and to catch up with RB

Look forward to Mark visiting again - hope you had a good time

looks like John put his time to good use

and well the rest of them - they are always fun to catch up with

geoff

osteoblast

04-08-2013, 10:48 PM

I'd like to thank everyone who made me so welcome on my first night and also advised me on setting up the dob. Even though only 45 minutes from Sydney I was impressed how dark the sky was even though there was intermittent cloud.
I also apologise that the Wagonwheels were not of the quality of genuine Jaffa Cakes but I had a tip off that Aldi might be a reliable source. I promise to seek these out and bring them to future events for the uninitiated.
Great photos John.
Osteoblast AKA Mark

Allan_L

05-08-2013, 08:58 AM

Had a great time as usual.
Nice to meet you Mark. Thanks for the Jaffa Cake substitute.

Sorry, I forgot to buy an Apple Charlotte. (one for Bretti definitely)

Great to catch up with Rod and RB again.
Nice to meet your friends Rod, (hi to Shona, David and Lerle if you're watching).
Hope you can come along again.

John, I really like your images, great results under less than perfect conditions.

Geoff1, Geoff2, Ric, Greg, a pleasure to share your company as usual.

Special thanks to Ric for the views through the awesome 14. (might catch up in Victoria next week?)

Catch you all at Bretti next New Moon.

05-08-2013, 09:10 AM

Wow it was soooo good to catch up with all my mates at the PC after a prolonged hiatus !

Geoff (owl), Ricky, Geoffro, Allan_L, Greg, so good to 'see' you guys again. (hope I haven't forgotten anyone).

It was a pleasure to meet our newcomer Mark and to meet John for the first time.

And of course to my mate Rod, thank you so much for the views through your wonderful Mary Rose and to meet your friends from Church, Shona, David and Lerle.
It was such a pleasure to share the night sky with them and to hear the excitement in their voices when they looked through the Mary Rose.

My apology for not staying up too late, had an early start on Sunday so I promised Sue I'd be home early, I know it felt strange to everyone for me to leave so early.
:ashamed:

Can't wait to catch up again soon everyone.
Glad I was able to hold on to my PC membership even though it's been a few years since my last visit.
:P

RB

Irish stargazer

08-08-2013, 05:44 PM

The crescent moon sets at 8pm on Saturday according to Stellarium. Anyone heading out?

Inmykombi

08-08-2013, 07:20 PM

No, I cant make it this weekend at all.

Sorry people.
Hope the skies are great for anyone who attends.

Rick Petrie

08-08-2013, 09:07 PM

Away in the caravan for a few weeks so can't attend either.
Probably won't make the next one 'til October now. Hope it is good for those going.

08-08-2013, 09:09 PM

No can do either, family time for me.

:D

GTB_an_Owl

08-08-2013, 10:14 PM

Nope - i will be busy too

geoff

astropolak

09-08-2013, 04:17 PM

I am keen to go..., as I am every time the PC call comes out..., all I ask for is a clear night.

gb_astro

09-08-2013, 10:15 PM

Sorry, I can't make it either.
Katoomba airfield might be the go this Saturday for anyone else
if no PC key holder is available.
Greg.

Rodstar

10-08-2013, 07:14 AM

Sorry John and Joe, I have pre-existing commitments. I hope you blokes have a good night of it.

Irish stargazer

10-08-2013, 07:19 AM

Going to Katoomba tonight.

Allan_L

10-08-2013, 09:06 PM

Sorry, Travelling also.
But The sky is brilliant here in Bendigo too.
:stargaze:

astropolak

11-08-2013, 09:25 AM

I must say I am little pissed off.
The best night I have seen in months and no one to go with....
I confess that my motivation to go is not the cake, booze or socialising, I just want to look at the sky.
Yes, I do like the company and love to have a chat but primarily we are there to gaze at the stars..., or are we ? Why would anyone go to PC if one glance outside will tell you the weather is going to be crap?

I think some of us are trying to make the weather comply rather than the other way around, how about going to PC when its clear, this would mean going at times on Friday or Sunday or even during a week !

Irish stargazer

11-08-2013, 09:40 AM

I went to Katoomba last night as there were no keyholders going to the PC. Good venue-worth a visit.
Once a month is good enough for most folks and people have other engagements and family events at the weekends (big crowd at the PC last weekend). There is usually a gathering somewhere on clear weekend nights between the PC, Katoomba or Crago if you check the forums.

Arthur Alchin

11-08-2013, 10:02 AM

My belated apologies, am on the Gold Coast at a cardiac conference

11-08-2013, 10:05 AM

Last week was better Joe, everyone was there.

:poke: :lol:

Arthur Alchin

11-08-2013, 12:07 PM

This may be speaking out of turn but I think I can say with a fair degree of certainty that like all the guys that go to the PC, i have a great interest in astronomy ( otherwise I have wasted about $8000 on equipment). (Astronomy is not my sole interest)

I have met some very awesome,amazing, knowledgable and friendly folk at the nights out. Unfortunately we only meet up once a month and it becomes catch up time which involves socialising, talking, eating, having a drink, learning, observing and a multitude of other verbs. This is why I appreciate my nights at the PC.

If I were to dismiss the need for all those things and just concentrate on observing quietly i might as well stay at home and set up in my drive way.

Allan_L

12-08-2013, 09:10 PM

Hi Joe,
That sounds great, but...
If you check this forum, you will see that I have often called for a Friday, or a weeknight, because it was good conditions, and the forcast for the designated night was not as promising.
Except for a very small percentage, these calls have met with no support. (and I end up going it alone). And I can understand why, not enough notice for most people.
So while I agree with your principle, it is not going to be a new way of working.
People have other commitments that are already in place, and a movable PC night out of the social calendar does not work for most.

As to the social side of things, well I must admit I do enjoy the social intercaourse of my astronomically inclined buddies - very much.
Especially if the sky is not co-operating, or I am after a little inspiration.
Not to mention the wealth of knowledge and experience that is on offer for free, for tihose who care to take the time to listen. I cannot think of a time when I have not learnt something new.

And talking of "p1ssed off".
Why is it these "p1ssed off" posts always seem to happen when a couple of us are on holidays. I am in Victoria at the moment. Ric is in Tamworth. Plenty of notice was given.
Plenty of other key holders are out there.
But if they went last week, maybe they can't go again so soon.

So if you are just frustrated, OK I can associate with that, but if you are casting criticism, I don't think that is fair.

astropolak

13-08-2013, 02:57 PM

Hmmmm, that has produced some responses...
None of my post was personal, yes I am venting my frustration and yes I am pissed off.

Alan, I see your posts about PC, you are certainly putting your hand up, some times there simply isn't the clear sky others I can not make it.
As I've said I enjoy the company but I will not spend $25.00 in petrol and 2 hours driving just to confirm the night is not clear on the off chance things will improve...
John, Katoomba is too far for me, drive is too difficult coming back at 4am.
Arthur, I too have spent a lot of money on the equipment and hate it going to waste.
Andrew, yes it would have been nice to see you and have a chat but we can have chat on this forum and I can't see your face at night anyway...
I can not understand why we gather at PC at nights that are a total waste of time - not to mention the site is cr*p anyway.

And to all of you now, you are obviously taking some pointers from our awful Prime Minister - being politically correct and afraid of saying anything that can God forbid offend anyone..., he will be gone soon and all I ask to give me a chance (or was it not give the weather any chances) so I can stay. --

mental4astro

13-08-2013, 03:27 PM

For what it's worth, staying overnight at Katoomba Airfield is not a problem. I've done it when it got too late to be safely driving, and many other folks do too.

The only other solution to this is to have a backup site in a public area. Somewhere safe when in numbers for the instance mentioned by Joe, or even if the PC becomes unavailable for astro use, & this has occasionally happened. Again with Katoomba, there are two other sites we have up our sleeve in those instances when the Airfield isn't available. It works too. Not a bad idea to have a standby site. Up around Mangrove Mt there has to be somewhere, I'm sure of it.