Melbourne IIS people get together - Feb 17

[Dave47tuc]

Hi all,:)
To those living in or near Melbourne, South and East of Melbourne.
Many on IIS have asked for somewhere IIS people can get together and observe.

I’m happy to announce that the Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society (MPAS )
http://www.mpas.websyte.com.au/site.cfm?/mpas/
Have offered there observatory site located in the Briars historic site, Mount Martha.
About 15 mins South of Frankston.
It’s in the melway and ubd.
Very easy to get to on the Nepean highway Mount Martha.

We can get together anytime at the weekend when the sky is clear and full moon free.

Obviously the MPAS is looking for members and if you did join the observing field is open to you 24/7 that’s very good incentive.

The site has a viewing area with mains power. Toilet and tea and coffee facility.
A shed to set up computers. An 18” scope for people to use. A 12” and 8” Dob also.
Plenty of room for your own scope.

Any IIS member that would like to meet up there please pm me for my phone number so you can find out more.

Here is a photo of the bottom observing slab with us set up for viewing on the
26 November. The photo shows the 18” which is ready to use most nights.

So it’s up to you as IIS members to get together.

We can just meet any time around last quarter and new and first quarter Moons.
I’m normally there most weekends it’s clear.

I know it’s Christmas so most people are busy. But we can look at the 16th December as a first get together. This a normal viewing night for the MPAS anyway.

I look forward to meeting more local observers.

I put 3 more photo's from a Solar day then observing night we had. Can't find one of the main shed. Will get one asap.

Cheers.:)

[Dave47tuc]

Hi All,:)
Here is a Map of the Briars area, showing you where the observing field is located.
Thanks john for the map:thumbsup:

[Dave47tuc]

Hi,
The next date for IIS Melbourne or Victoria members to catch up at the MPAS observatory site is February 17th Anytime after 7pm. See map above for directions.
PM me for any other information.

Cheers.:)

Quick pic of our last get together.:)

[vespine]

Cool! I've been really itching to get the scope out, I'll definitely be trying to make it out. Obviously I'll stay in touch here, is there anything else I need to do or i just rock up?
Also, what do people generally do? drive back in the small hours of the morning or sleep in a tent/car for a bit?

[Dave47tuc]

Just rock up when you like after 7pm. Its up to you if you want to drive home. Most do. But if you live a long ways off. You can sleep over in your car or pitch a tent if you like. See you there if the weather is fine. I'm going up tonight for some viewing if the smoke stays away.:D

[cristian abarca]

I'll definitely be making this one.

Regards Cristian

[danielsun]

Well done Dave, at this stage the 17th is looking good for me!!
So hope to catch up with you and everyone then. :thumbsup:

[Rez]

I'm a relatively new MPAS member and you really should do yourself a favour and come down!

The company is great, the facility is excellent and for those of you thinking of buying a scope then this is your opportunity to see many different types of telescope in action.

Hope to see you all there :)

[Dave47tuc]

Hi,:)
Just a reminder about the 17th February. IIS get together.
At the MPAS Observatory shown on the map in the above post.

If people are interested we can put the BBQ on early say 6pm and have a meet and greet before dark. Just let me know if you interested in the BBQ. BYO food and drinks.
But there is tea and coffee on site.

Hope its clear and it would be great to see many of you there.:thumbsup:

Cheers.:D

[Starkler]

I hope to be there ;)

[OneOfOne]

I might have to put this on my list...at the moment it is getting a bit hard at home as we have just started on an extension, a room at the back of the house with a storage cupboard for the scope. Then I just have to take it out and walk out the back door rather than carrying it through the house onto the deck, down the stairs and up the back yard. Right now I have to be careful not to trip over bricks, planks of wood, holes, wheelbarrows and other tools.

[[1ponders]]

Adding event to the Event Calendar. Good luck with it guys. Hope you get a great turnout.

[mill]

I'll see if i can make it that day. Not bringing my son this time :)

[Dave47tuc]

Thanks Paul.:thumbsup:

Guy’s and Girls myself and Greg will put a sausage sizzle on for those who come down. Our shout!!:D
You bring the drinks.:P

Just need numbers for the BBQ. Reply to thread. BBQ between 6 and 7 pm.:)

Cheers.

[mill]

Just had a word with the missus and it is ok for me to come.
Also comming to the bbq and will bring drinks.

[Dave47tuc]

Hi All,:)
I would like to get some firm numbers for the 17th.
If you can just reply that you are coming along and will join in the BBQ.
We will be putting on a sausage sizzle for those coming.
You can byo BBQ food also.

If it’s raining the day is cancelled. But will go ahead if it’s partly cloudy.
We can still have a get together and BBQ as we have plenty of under cover facilities.

Let’s hope for fine weather. I will be there from 5.30 pm to get the BBQ ready etc.
Hope to see all local IIS people there.:thumbsup:

[cristian abarca]

I'm definitely going and will be there by 6pm.

Regards Cristian

[danielsun]

No worries Dave i'm there and in for the feed, just let me know the $ :thumbsup:

[OneOfOne]

Unfortunately, I don't think I can make it. Our renovation has started, complete with big cupboard for storing the scope and bits, and we will be pulling up carpet, removing tacks and staples from the floor. Cleaning up the mess etc. Last weekend, I just headed to bed by 9.

Oh, plus my wife's teenage daughter is having a sleep over, so I don't want to miss out on the peace and quiet!

[Dave47tuc]

No need for $$ feeds on me and Greg;) See you there Daniel.

Sorry to miss you there Trevor. Hope to see you in the future.:)

[Starkler]

Im in subject to the whims of my employer who wants me to work that day. :rolleyes:

[cattikins]

I'll be there, but have to work until 5:30, thus won't be there till around 6:30 - 7 or so. I'll have dinner before i come tho, so don't worry about BBQ for me, thanks anyway tho guys :thumbsup:
See you then!
Cat

[Dave47tuc]

Hi all,:)
A note for those coming this weekend. If your traveling down the freeways to the peninsula. The roads to take to get to Mount Martha are Mornington Tyabb road. Or Bentons Road. “DO NOT TAKE CRAGIE ROAD.”
Even though your road maps say this is the way to go. Road works make this road unsafe and it has a detour that could be confusing.

So take the Mornington Tyabb road to the Nepean hwy then travel south to Mt Martha.
Then follow map above.

If you need my Mobile number Pm me.

[vespine]

I'm still trying to talk another friend in but you can count me and my better half in for the evening and the bbq also, thank you very much:) Look forward to seeing you there.

[Dave47tuc]

Hi all,
We have a small problem with this weekend. The Briars is having a jazz festival on at the same time as our viewing night.:rolleyes:

All this means is when you come into the Briars you follow the road and then you will be stopped for the festival. Now all you have to say is you’re here with the
“Mornington Peninsula Astronomical Society for there viewing night”

They will let you buy to keep following the road through to the gate at the end of road. Then go straight ahead till you see ONE large witch’s hat. Turn left and you can not miss the observing site next to the large shed.

Please pm me if you’re unsure so I can give you my contact phone number.

Remember this is an IIS get together that everyone asks for so I hope everyone turns up from around Melbourne.;)

Remember do not come down Cragie Road.

There will be a BBQ sausage sizzle put on for those who want it between 6pm and 7 pm.
At no cost to you,:) just turn up. I will have 60 snags on so first in best dressed!
BYO cold drinks. Tea and coffee on site.

Look forward to meeting you and catching up with IIS friends.:thumbsup:

I will post on Saturday re the weather. Forcast is for fine and hot. But we will see.

[janoskiss]

Sounds fantastic Dave! Looking forward to catching up with everyone Sat night... not to mention trying out the 18" on a moonless night. :)

[mojo]

I'll be there, plus Phobos said he's eager to go as well.
I wasn't sure that I'd be there but oooh a Jazz festival as well :thumbsup:
Be there after ~8pm probably but will try to get there earlier. Looking forward to it.

[Dave47tuc]

Good one Terry. Will be great to catch up with you and see how the 10" is going.:D

By the way the Jazz festival starts at 5pm and goes till 9pm. So traffic will be bad before and after the event. So everyone try to be at the observing site after 5pm and before 9pm.:)

[HAL2001]

Hi Dave,

We were planning to come on the 17th but have something else on during the afternoon, but we'll try to get there anyway (though not for the BBQ).

Hope to see you there.
Henri

[Dave47tuc]

Hi all,:)
Tonight is all go. Now for those who have seen the weather it’s been very stormy at night around Melbourne. But down on the Peninsula not as bad. We only got cloud last night.
We have not had any rain or storms like in Melbourne or outer suburbs. Apart from last night we have had clear nights this week. But you could have observed last night late in the night after midnight.

Today it’s hot and clear like everywhere else down here. Forecast for our area is from BOM.
Mornington Peninsula
Saturday
Isolated showers and thunderstorms mainly late in the day. A partly cloudy day
with a fresh northerly wind easing. Max 34
Precis: Possible late storm.

Sunday Late thundery change. Min 22 Max 35


So for those traveling from a far I will leave it up to you if you come down. The night will go ahead as if it’s stormy it should clear as it has every night.
The BBQ will start at 6pm. Even if it’s partly cloudy come down as you have made room on your agenda for this night. So come and catch up with friends and if you have not been before a chance to see the observing field.

Remember to read my above posts for details on how to get to the Briars and about the Jazz festival. And again do not take Cragie Rd into Mt Martha.

I will be there around 5.15 pm. So arrive any time after that. Come early have a cold drink and a sausage. You can BYO food if your desire.

See you there.:thumbsup:

[mojo]

Also on google map (http://maps.google.com.au/maps?f=q&hl=en&sll=-37.873941,144.763179&sspn=0.011281,0.027122&ie=UTF8&z=15&ll=-38.272924,145.041246&spn=0.022439,0.040169&t=h&om=1). Centered on the concrete slab.

Too nice a day to pass up a bbq... and Jazz :)

[iceman]

Terry at a viewing night! I'm still not talking to you for not coming to Lostock :P

Don't show Dave the scope... or if you do, please dust it off first.

[Rez]

Images from the Melbourne IIS viewing night at MPAS below:

http://rjk.melb.org/images/stories/mpas-17-02-2007/mpas-17-02-2007.html

Thanks to all who attended.

[Dave47tuc]

Please post images and stories of 17 Feb viewing here.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=15329&page=2

Moderators can lock this thread if they like so there is no mix ups.