Casino Dec-Jan

[glenc]

Do you want to have a viewing night in December or January?
Suitable dates are Dec 22 or 23 and Jan 19 or 20.
I will be home.

[glenc]

I suggest we meet on the Friday before, or at, new moon in 2007.
If it is cloudy that night we can try the next night.
For 2007 the Fridays are:
19/1, 16/2, 16/3, 13/4, 18/5, 15/6, 13/7, 10/8, 7/9, 12/10, 9/11, 7/12

[Rodstar]

Glen, I know it is a LONG way off, but we are planning to have a family holiday in Byron in September or October 2007. I might be a starter for either of those months!

[glenc]

You are very welcome. I will even let you use C#s. ;)

[CoombellKid]

Nar, Glen has it all wrong :P

What he reallly meant to say was, bring that new 20"er with you. We can
look after it while you and your family holiday :whistle:

regards,CS sunny days

Rob

btw, put me down as a starter for all the dates Glen has suggested, weather
permitting.

[Rodstar]

:rofl: :rofl:

I will look forward to it!

Rob, I don't plan to lug a 20" mirror quite that far.....although maybe by then I will be more comfortable with throwing her in the trailer....:)

[glenc]

We can store the 20" for you Rod. :lol:
Our observing nights will be at different locations each month.
North Casino, Coombell, Ewingar etc.

[GrahamL]

Store it in the hotel room rod :lol:.. I have access to 150 acre block just out of byron with a good west sky .. these guys will prolly even drive down to the coast to. haha.:D.... to be honest though some VERY dark skys are
out casino and surounds.

[Rodstar]

I will give some serious consideration to bringing the 20" scope, then, boys. I sense a fair degree of interest.....maybe I will just have to leave the kids at home to make enough space in the car. :P

I will post something closer to the time I am coming up, so we can make some arrangements.:thumbsup:

[CoombellKid]

Hi Rod,

I'm a fair bit interested and I'm sure the others would be too!

regards,CS sunny days

Rob

PS: Happy New Year everybody

[xelasnave]

We are clearing the top of the almost highest spot (next door is a smidge higher) in these parts and will even put in a heli pad if you are worried about ruff roads;) .. but I recon that spot up the hill up home would do justice to 20 inches particularly to the South because I recon it is probably less effected by light polution than the same view at Coona.. still I am biased:D It is a little hard to think we will ever see the sky again during wet season but when its good its very good. Up home is won back from the jungle and we could manage a few cars and tents ..my observatory is moving ahead slowly near finished up to dome height..which wont be a dome:D but the bottom of a rain water tank looks the best candidate at the moment;) But for the present back to Sydney tomorrow:sadeyes:
alex

[CoombellKid]

Alex,

And here I thought lucky bugger suffers zitt! light polution lol

regards,CS sunny days

[glenc]

Casino, NSW 2006, cloudy days in 8ths.
We had 78 days with no cloud at 9am last year, 64 days with 1/8th cloud etc.

Cloud 9am
0 78 days with no cloud
1 64
2 30
3 24
4 14
5 19
6 18
7 40
8 72 days with 100% cloud

Cloud 3pm
0 28 days with no cloud
1 65
2 48
3 32
4 18
5 26
6 26
7 47
8 59 days with 100% cloud

Refr
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/IDCJDW2026.latest.shtml

[glenc]

The SkyMapPro file 20070120W shows the SW sky at 8:20pm on 20/1.
Comet McNaught will be 26 degrees to the left of Venus on 20/1.

The file C2006 P1 gives the local altitude & azimuth at 8:15pm for Comet McNaught C2006 P1.
The magnitude will be brighter than what this file says. Refr Guide8.

The following gives a map:
http://www.aerith.net/comet/catalog/2006P1/2006P1.html

[CoombellKid]

Thanks for that, there has been some discussion about nabbing
this one in day light. Still after it has it's encounter with the Sun
we might get a nice evening display as it heads south. Might
be time to get me a pair of them Bino's like you have Glen.

regards,CS sunny days

[CoombellKid]

Glen,

So it's your place on the 19th weather permitting.

regards,CS sunny7 days

[glenc]

yes my place if it's clear.
not too good lately.

[CoombellKid]

Excellent, looking forward to it. It's been slim picking here too. Actually
I cant remember when I last got the scope out, maybe 2 weeks ago.
But I have been chasing o'l Sol with the PST and occassionly the newt.

regards,CS sunny days

[astro_south]

If it is not clear on the Friday, I should be able to pop down on the Saturday (if it is clear of course :thumbsup: )

[CoombellKid]

Come down Saturday anyway, weather permitting. It would be great
to catch up. Are ya bringing ya 12" :D

Oh' yeah, for the folks up Casino way. Me & Glen are planning a trip
out to Leyburn (the other side of Warrick) to meet up with Andrew
(astro_south) and maybe some other Qld'er IIS'ers. I suppose this
is a heads up for Graham and Alex, we could car pool and use Andrews
scope (a lovely 12.5" truss dob) so we wont need to take any scopes
with us. Are you guy's keen?

we're looking at the weekend of the 17th-18th of March, may want
to head up there Friday 16th come home Sunday 18th.

regards,CS sunny days

[astro_south]

I never leave home with out the dob ;) ... well on any astronomy related trip that is.

I might kick off a new thread about the March Leyburn thing soon, but I certainly plan to be there for the Friday and Saturday nights in March. Of course you guys will be too busy with the bigger scopes that are usually kicking around the place up there.

Got some new toys to bring down your way too - a 400D DSLR for some widefields (maybe a shot at the comet) and a 2" NBP. Wait till you see Eta Carina in the 31mm Nag with that filter on - if the performance in the backyard is anything to go by!

[CoombellKid]

So I can blame the weather on you hehehe, an oldie but a goodie. You
could get a nice shot of the Emu down these ways. Looks like the missus
is heading down south that weekend, wahoooo : ) taking Hayden down
to the grandparents.

Re: Leyburn, I'm thinking friday/saturday nights myself too. Hey maybe
we can start an IIS thing up there once a year.

regards,CS sunny days

[glenc]

We might have to head out west (Texas or Goondiwindi) to see the comet.
It should be visible on 14/1 or 15/1.
http://msowww.anu.edu.au/~rmn/C2006P1.htm

[CoombellKid]

I hope not, prefer my own backyard lol, I went and ordered a pair of those
Andrews 20x80 triplets binoculars today so hopefully they'll be here in a
day or so. Having looked through a couple of diferent pairs, I thought for
$199.00 you cant go wrong.

regards,CS sunny days

[astro_south]

Nice 1 Rob - look forward to checking them out soon

What is the western horizon like at your place Glen - I imagine we can still observe the comet on the 20th?

[glenc]

Western horizon is very good. The comet will be fading a bit by the 20th.
The comet transits HERE at 1:07pm today with an altitude of 73d.
If you look from a north facing door or window and block out the Sun, which is 10d above the comet, with the top of the door or window, you might be able to see the comet with binoculars or a finder. The moon transits at 6:10am with an altitude of 67.5d so I will set my scope up then and see if I can see the comet with the finder at 1:07pm.

[glenc]

Nice and clear tonight, if anyone wants to come over please do.
Looks like cloud for next Mon & Tue, might go for a drive to see the comet.
No luck today, just saw lots of scotch thistle seeds flying around.

[xelasnave]

Its a little clearer here today I am hoping for a run tonight.. forgotten how to set up its been that long.. I will be there Saturday at this stage.. I now have a car.. not big but a car nevertheless.. so I am mobile. It wont carry 12inch:D but may bring the refractor for something different..Hope to have the binos eq mounted building a small counter weight tonight..the final job to make them work..If complete I will bring them..they are great... . My caretaker illiterate mate gave the 12 inch a blow job with the path blower so maybe it will give better views.
AND Glen we are extending and completing that little patio so as to take a small shed which will roll away the reveal the eq6 and gear. Ordred the shed today but the rock work may be another week or so..but I recon in a month it will be complete..and the rock observatory similar.. not going to have a rotating dome just a door in the cement roof.. as I only want objects at their highest point for astro photos..so it will work ok.
alex
alex

[xelasnave]

Er I could bring the eq6 with the photo gear (150sn and 80 guide scope) if anyone can get the lpi working;) and the auto guide:lol: as I dont think it will be really set up by the weekend:shrug: ..I still have not had a shake down night and I recon I will need a couple...
alex

[glenc]

Progress at your place sounds great. Hope it is clear and you can make it here.
Bring any gear you like. I have a 10", 12" and 20x80s but no imaging gear.

[CoombellKid]

Thanks for the offer, but I'm already setup at home. Nice and clear here too.
Did try to catch the comet during the day, no luck here like you glen, just
lots of scotch thistle seeds flying around, and a lil bit of haze.

regards,CS sunny days

[glenc]

The moon transits here at 6:49am tomorrow with an altitude of 73.2d.
The comet transits at 1:11pm tomorrow with an altitude of 75.3d.
My finder has a 4d field so I should be able to set the scope up at 6:49 and wait for the comet. Maybe.

[CoombellKid]

I think my easterly view will maybe be the better first up, I might give it a
try myself tomorrow morning. After the 15th Starry Night tells me it will skirt
along above the tree line to the west in the evening at sunset. Gradually
getting higher as it heads south. Hopefully my bino's will turn up tomorrow.

regards,CS sunny days

[glenc]

Looks like cloud here on Sunday & Monday.
Think I will head out west 4 a few days.
http://weather.smh.com.au/local.jsp?lt=aploc&lc=2196
or
http://weather.smh.com.au/local.jsp?lt=aploc&lc=10562

[CoombellKid]

Probably the new bino's Glen, other than that it hard to say what it's
going to do. If I could I'd almost to come with you, but I stuck here.
Just hope it doesn't fade too much before I get a crack at it.

regards,CS sunny days

[GrahamL]

any luck ?.. Ive been trying to use the power lines out fron't as a guide for a 10 d sweep across the western sky,,did catch a high altitude ibis I believe
but not much else

[CoombellKid]

No luck here I have to say, this morning there were clouds on the
eastern horizon. And tonight looks like there will be clouds of the
storm variety in the west. I did try around lunch time with my
finderscope using the house to block out the sun.

Boy! is it a hot o'l day

regards,CS sunny days

[xelasnave]

Its not hot in the Clarence River... mmm so nice.. the cloud is building here for a big one perhaps. might be lightening photography to night.
alex

[CoombellKid]

I think you might be right, I see the familar grey haze brewing in your
direction. But I'm hoping your not as I would like to try these new 20x80
triplets out on the night sky.

regards,

[glenc]

I will be staying at Mt Pleasant Station tonight and tomorrow night. It is 55km west of Tenterfield.

[glenc]

Went to Texas and back but did NOT see the comet. :(
Did find a couple of nice camping spots, the best was the weir 8km north of Bonshaw. Any luck here?

[CoombellKid]

Hey Glen,

Was wondering how you were doing and your trip out west.

No : ( ...not yet. tonight is the best chance since you left. But still no luck,
too much crud and cloud about. Was setup in the yard with the 20x80's
for awhile.

regards

[GrahamL]

Caught it this afternoon .. had given up pretty much then caught a glimpse
of venus at about 8 .. so went up to the local lookout.. venus was lost in cloud by then .. but by chance there was a small perfectly clear break in the western sky and there it was .. I guess the cloud helped darken the
sunset a little as it was incredibly bright.. stunning is the best I can descibe it.. one of those things you don't forget !!!.

hopefully tommorow .. I managed to get the scope out as well tonight ,a little cloud around but very clear

[glenc]

Saw the comet last night through thin cloud with 7x50s at about 7:40pm. Saw it again after 8pm with 20x80s through a hole in the cloud. The tail was very wide at the comet. Will try this am, it will be 11d to the right of the Sun at about 6:05am.

[GrahamL]

ouch thats a long drive to get to north casino glen .
but you just don't know it could of easily not cleared here at all .

[glenc]

The forecast for Fri night looks OK.
Come at about sunset if you want to see the comet. Saw it again last night.
Looked at galaxies in Virgo this am till it clouded over just after 3am.

[CoombellKid]

Well you guy's have been luckier than me, still to catch even a glimpse of the
comet. Nice and clear last night but still too cloudy in the west for me. Still
it gave me my first chance of trying out my new 20x80's.

Glen, Do you know if Andrew is still coming down on Saturday? if he is, I
might come over on Saturday instead of Friday.

[astro_south]

Unfortunately due to work commitments I can't make it down on Friday, but my plan is still for Saturday. I will be monitoring the weather closely and if clear I will be there - if that is still OK Glen.

If the weather down your way is dicey then I might head north to Ron's (just as a backup because I am starved of dark skies - last outing in September).

Looking forward to it and most likely see you guys on Saturday. Are Graham and Alex a chance for Saturday?

[CoombellKid]

Andrew,

Looking forward to catching with you too. I've been observing in spits
and spats, as there been abit going on here over the last few months.
I haven't managed to hit the yard as much as I would like too. Still I
had a ball last night just using the 20x80's (man I need a bino stand)
LMC and SMC looked awesome, could of sat on them for quite a while.

Hopefully see you Saturday!

regards,CS

[GrahamL]

saturday is fine for me .. clear tonight again by the looks..picked up a 7mm nagler ( smooth barrel t1 ) yesterday and looking forward to a dark sky try of it .

[glenc]

Looks like Saturday night suits everyone and the forecast is sunny 18-30.
It was perfect here last night, had a look at the comet with 7x50s, 20x80s and the 10". We have a very good SW horizon.

[CoombellKid]

Cant be sure I've seen it yet Glen, seems to be forever murky low in the
SW with intermittent clouds, although last night I'm pretty sure I nab it
teasing out between clouds for a few minites, too much muck to see any
tail.

Andrew, not sure what Glen's place is like mozzie-wise, haven't been there
yet. So it might be a good idea to bring some mozzie repellent with you.

regards,CS sunny days

[astro_south]

Mozzie repellant it is!

Looking forward to this observing session. I will bring the camera for some shots of the comet. It was fantastic here last night, and I think it will get better before it dims ..... here's hoping anyway.

All I have to do is workout what I need to pack - I used to have a list of essentials but who knows where that is now. Don't know what time you are going to pack it in, but I can tell you - if it is clear I will be awake and observing.

[CoombellKid]

Well I finally managed to nab comet Mcnaught in it's full splender. Even
managed a few shots of it. Then the clouds on the horizon got to it
again. Looks like it's going to be a very nice night out this way tonight.
except for a lil bit of cloud on the SW horizon it's looking spectacular:D

The shot below is a cropped version of the best capture

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

Glen,

So all cool for tonight, there is a bit of patchy cloud about. But I have a
feeling it's going to do what it did yesterday.

Otherwise we'll see you 7pm or there abouts, would like to try and get
another shot of comet McNaught. Sounds like you have a better SW
view than mine is.

regards,CS

[GrahamL]

Clear on the coast .. alittle patchy cloud on the horizen like you mention rob.. I 'll leave home about seven i think.. glens at 8 or a little after.

[glenc]

Looks like a clear night. The comet starts to show at about 8:15pm.
Andrew is coming from Brisbane. Not sure if Alex is coming.
CU at 7 or 8.

[CoombellKid]

Glen,

A big thank you for hosting this months group. It was great to catch up
with you and Graham. And good to see Andrew and his son Steven there
too. Beautiful clear conditions and wasn't that comet unreal, it had us all
transfixed while it was above the horizon. After which it was a feast of
nebula and planetary nebula. Looking forward to the next get together
to be held at Coombell

For those reading this thread. The group photo icludes from left to right
Glen (aka, glenc), Graham (aka, nightstalker), Jake (Rob's son), Rob (aka, CoombellKid), Andrew (aka, astro_south) and Andrews son Steven.

regards,CS

[astro_south]

Thanks for hosting the night Glen - really enjoyed it and the view of the comet will live with me forever. Nice to share it with pleasent and knowledgeable company. Nice to catch up with you again Rob, and nice to meet you Graham.

oh ... and Happy Birthday Glen :thumsup:


some of my pics from the night are here...
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=185007&postcount=335

[GrahamL]

yeah thanks glen it was a memorable evening .. on your birthday and all
Eta Carinae is well visible from home after all andrew :D had a look about
2 am when i got home the other night, I must stay up late more often
I hadn't realised how much light pollution the odd yard light throws up.

[glenc]

Thank you. Very clear and windy last night. Had a look at 15 PN and the Messier galaxies in Leo and Vir. Collimation is fine now, thanks Andrew.

[GrahamL]

Comet Over the richmond river
Same mount as yours rob only green;)

[xelasnave]

Glen said
"I will be staying at Mt Pleasant Station tonight and tomorrow night. It is 55km west of Tenterfield"
Say hi to Rod for me and that I hope he is feeling better.
alex

[xelasnave]

Sorry I came in on the wrong page I guess its history now.
alex

[glenc]

Alex, missed you last Saturday night.

[xelasnave]

Had a full plate up home (and down here) but got into it for two nights mainly trying to get gear prepared but very wet still. Didnt finished work early enough to set up for comet, I may try up the top if I get a chance before I go back to Sydney. I was too sick to try getting up the top to see it when up home.
alex