Crago Saturday Night

[ourkind]

Crago was open again for visitors on Saturday night, it was great to see locals and a few members drop by to look through the 16" f/7 dob.

The clouds rolled in later on in the night, but no one left dissapointed, with fantastic views of Saturn which really wow'd some first time viewers, I love listening to their reactions when they see it for the first time. Most think it's fake :lol: - Another beauty was also Omega Centaurus which looks like someone's spilt icing sugar all over the view finder.

I took this panorama just before locking up around 4am. The moon, Jupiter, Orion, Sirius, Taurus and Subaru all their to greet and wish us goodnight.

Thanks for looking :)

[Rod771]

Good shot Carlos! Very nice pano :thumbsup: - My favourite part of the sky is on its way.

You never forget when you first see Saturn through a scope, mine was through my 4.5 inch Tasco Newt :eyepop: OMG wow!!!! "Come and look at this!" I said to my wife. Then last year through C11 Edge HD - Oh that's nice :lol:

[Satchmo]

Carlos - I was intending to come up but got waylaid at the last moment.

I reground the 16" mirror to F7 in 1989. It was the original plate glass mirror from the Sydney Astronomers observatory located in Belfield in the 1960's . It suffered significant damage since I ground it ( though still works well )so I look forward to the installation of the new mirror I made for it a few years ago .

I am excited about the idea of installing the late Scott Mellish's 22" F5 'scope in there -closer to the original plan of 24" 'scope, and now that the new lease for the site has been granted I hope all these things will come to fruition.

[ourkind]

Thanks Rod! :) Same I felt like I was the first to discover it, quite emotional, can't say I cried but I remember letting out quite a few expletives :eyepop:



Yes a lot of things have been put on hold in the anticipation of the signing of the new lease, October / November 2013 and I believe we'll have pen to paper.

It's a great mirror, the only thing letting the 16" down is the focuser but otherwise it still does a fine job, however the anticipation of bringing the 22" across is very exciting and fitting for a great dome!

I'm sure we'll catch up soon Mark, look forward to meeting you there and assisting you with the installations :)