Mangrove Mountain observing Sat 3 May/ SUNDAY 4 May - any interest?

[Allan_L]

Anyone (Central Coast; Sydney; Newcastle) interested in an observing session this Saturday 3 May up at the "Pony Club" site? [How to get there is in a "sticky" at the top of this Forum.

Weather dependant of course.

I have been getting mixed predictions for Saturday's weather prospects (but one of which indicated it would be good for astronomy). Seems to be changing quickly so difficult to commit yet...
But I am just putting it out there for now for consideration.

Moon will be crescent and setting around 8pm (as far as I can tell now).

And it has been a while.
(still no word on amenities, and I have stopped chasing it - for now - so it will be "roughing it" again I suspect) :confused2:

Fingers crossed for good conditions, I will post a 7 timer forcast closer to the proposed event, although these have not been as accurate recently as they used to be.

[Rick Petrie]

Back home from OS, so I'm definitely interested Al. It's been a while.
Got myself an Explore Scientific 30mm eyepiece whilst in USA so itching to try it out under some good skies?????
Anyone have a 31mm Nagler coming, so I can maybe compare its merits or demerits.
Not looking too good at the present though on 7timer.
Anyway hope the weather plays fair and it is OK. Cheers.:)

[Allan]

Welcome back Rick. Hope you had a great holiday. I am leaving for Dallas tomorrow, so unfortunately neither I or my 31 Nagler will be able to attend on Saturday. Hope the weather is clear for you all. Cheers

[Mattg]

I'd love to come up if there is a bit of clear sky. Looks like its going to be a bit chilly!

[Irish stargazer]

Likewise. It will be my last trip to the PC. Heading home at the end of the month

[Inmykombi]

The prediction I saw was for rain and strong wind.
Whats the general feeling people ?

[Mattg]

I'm keen for some observing but the cloud looks fairly consistent and skippy sky predicts it will stick around tonight. If it looks better around 5pm I would be keen, otherwise I'll wait for another new moon.

So long John it was good to meet you.

[Allan_L]

Not looking good.
But I will keep an eye on the weather.
However, I am not packing just yet.

Anyone available for a Sunday session?

[Rick Petrie]

I think it looks too dodgy for tonight, according to all reports, so I am going to have a night indoors....bugger again!!!!!:(
Not sure yet Al whether I can make tomorrow but will try.

[Satchmo]

Its going to be very strong westerlies bitterly cold both today and tomorrow up there - I'm itching to fly up at Mangrove but you can't argue with the weather :)

[Allan_L]

Well, it looked promising for a while.
I spent the last two hours sitting out in the sunshine.
But now this Mass of Cloud has just cut off the sky from the South West.

It may blow over but I am calling it off now (for me at least).

Tomorrow still looks promising. (but cold)

[Fizics]

Hi all, i would be interested in tomorrow night as reports indicate less cloudy conditions. Marks comments about the wind are noted too, brrrrr.
Rick hope you had a good holiday.
Allan thanks for keeping us posted.

[Inmykombi]

Yes. An indoor night for me too watching a movie with my 2 Sons.

Can't do tomorrow night due to work Monday.

@-/$&;:^|>[%]*}+~¥€€%*]+.... Again....

[Gee]

Hi, I'm good for Sunday evening if weather is good.

Rick, I have a 'King 31' 31mm Nagler if you want to do a comparison.
I'm not far from your place, at Cape Three Points rd.

It's a big sucka, looks like a hand grenade and weighs about a kilo !

[Allan_L]

Still looking good for tonight.

Time to Dust Out the Freezer suits.

[Fizics]

What time will someone with a key be there? Hope to make it.

[Rick Petrie]

Not able to now go tonight but hope any of you guys going have a good one.
Thanks for the offer Gareth and look forward to catching up soon to compare your N31.
Cheers Rick

[Gee]

Sorry guys, got some last minute issues, not going to be able to go tonight. Bugger.

Thats fine Rick, happy to help, maybe some time that suits you even from your front yard.

[Allan_L]

Sorry, late visitors.

I will be there, but probably not until 6:00.

Anyone else welcome. :)

[Fizics]

Allan, just got off phone made other plans thought it would be to late for setting up. Sorry it didn't work out.

[Allan_L]

It turned out to be a great night for observing.
Atmosphere settled down nicely after moon set, and wind dropped.
And I was able to complete the full Skywatcher "Guided Tour".
Nice to test the system out again, and it performed flawlessly.

Cold, but not too cold. (Didn't have to use the Freezer suit after all).
No dew at all. (Didn't even need dew shield or shroud, which probably helped too)

Locked up just after 10:30 - home for an early night, quite satisfied.

[glend]

Good to hear Allan, anyone else make it there? What was the outcome on your motor drive problem?

[Fizics]

Thanks for the update Allan. I will make every effort to be there next time. At least in winter it's an early night.

[jakob]

It was a good(cold) night here too.
I got the 16" out and scanned the Sky for a bit.
A quick view of the moon before it diappeared then had a good look at Saturn and the magnificent Omega Cent.
Not much luck with Galaxies but.

I was amazed this morning when I relized that the lowest temperature during the night was 1.2 Deg on my weather station :eyepop:

[Allan_L]

You should have come up Jakob.
I "saw" more galaxies that night than I have for the last 12 months combined. I can only imagine how good they would have looked from Bretti. :question:
They would have been stunning in your 16". :thumbsup: