Kulnura (Central Coast) New Moon Observing - 19th May

[iceman]

Hi all

Given new moon is on the Thursday 17th, then the best observing time this month will be Saturday 19th May.

I sure hope Rod has his 20" SDM back in time!

I'll be keen to catch up with everyone again.. who else is going to come?

I'll bring my freezer suit and be toasty warm :)

[RB]

Sounds great !

Looking forward to it.

[okiscopey]

It's in my diary - hope to be there.

[silwat]

Sounds like a plan:thumbsup:

[noelo]

hopefully this time....:D

[MortonH]

Where exactly is it? I know it's in the Gosford area...

Morton

[Rodstar]

I called Peter Read today, and he tells me that he will be dropping the scope back on Saturday 12/5. So, yes folks, I can confirm the 20" will be there, with its extra chunky truss poles and new split blocks.:thumbsup:

John Bambury and Gary Kopff are heading off to the Texas Star Party next week, so I don't expect we'll be seeing either of them, unfortunately.

[iceman]

Morton, there's a sticky thread at the top of the star parties forum.

Hope to see you there!

[bkm2304]

I'll be there with my shiny new 16" Lightbridge (I think I am in love!):)

[Rodstar]

It'll be great to meet you, BKM, AND your new toy!!:D :thumbsup:

[wavelandscott]

I've got it in my schedule...not sure if I can make it or not. I've had several trips overseas lately for work (another next week) so I am not sure how much "good will" I have in my spouse account at the moment...I'll just have to see how the balance is closer to the 19th but I will try!

[MortonH]

Mike, thanks for that. I always forget to look at the stickies!


Morton

[Deeno]

Excellent Smithers...........
Looking forward to it

[Robster]

Will have to see if I can come up that night with my 130SLT. Downloaded the map so I can find my way there. Some non light polluted skies might give me an opportunity to see just what this scope can do, and check out Rodstar's 20" Truss Newt - get my aperture fix eh? As long as there are no paintball weekend warriors still hanging around at night.;)

Robster
Woy Woy newbie

[GTB_an_Owl]

it's ok Robster -

us fella's in the freezer suits draw all the stray fire
just don't set up next to us - and they won't see you - well maybe they will run out of paint before they do anyway



geoff

[David]

I should be able to be able to get there this time so see you all there.

[Rodstar]

It'll be good to see you again, David. I must remember to pack your Dune DVDs.

[cahullian]

Not a good one for me as I have to take a bus load of year 12 students to Sydney that day. It will give me more time to kill a few hedgehogs for next month .

Gazz

[cahullian]

Make sure you all have fun guys

Gazz

[wavelandscott]

I can not make it either...I've got to travel to New Zealand on Sunday for "meetings" the next week. :sadeyes:

Hope to see everyone the next time...

[netwolf]

All things being equal, I hope to be there with 2 of my mates.

[iceman]

Excellent news Fahim!

[Kal]

If the skies are clear then you can count on at least one of them ;)

[ausastronomer]

As Rod previously mentioned, Gary Kopff, Andrew Murrell and I are leaving on Friday for 2 weeks in the USA to attend the Texas Star Party, so we will not be able to make it. I expect we will all be there for the June 3rd Quarter observing.

CS-John B

[RB]

Bring me back a TSP t-shirt John !
Have a safe trip mate, catch ya when you get back.

[yagon]

I should be there: looking forward to it.

[yagon]

My wife and 9 month old boy are away for the entire weekend on the next full moon.

Are there any scheduled star parties/observing sessions on Friday 18th May?

[RB]

You mean new moon don't you?

None on that Friday that I know of.

:shrug:

[yagon]

oops - yep - new moon

[bkm2304]

Just after some details. Are there camping facilities at kulnura and what time are people turning up?:help:

[iceman]

No camping, noone can camp or stay there - it's private property. You can go home late (ie: 4/5am), but you can't still be there in the morning.

Most people would turn up between 5pm-7pm. It's getting dark so early it's very hard to get there before night fall these days.

[bkm2304]

Ta. Looking forward to it!

Richard

[netwolf]

Can the SCT users who usually attend advise on the Dew conditions out there. Is a flexible shield enough protection or does one need a heated solution? My home made one is about to be thrown out as its loosing shape and entering the light path.

Regards

[iceman]

It really depends on the conditions on the night. Anywhere will be wet on a dewey night. We've had both good and bad nights there.

So bring what the maximum and if you don't need it, then great :)

[Rodstar]

Fahim, I have a small 12v blow dryer I can lend you on the night if you dew up. You'll just need to supply the power!

I used to have an SCT.....some nights at Kulnura were extremely dewy, in which case a cover is not enough, you definitely need a dew strap and/or hair dryer.

[netwolf]

Thanks Rod, I think I will need it. I thought you were off to the Texas Star Party, but I realize now I read the post from John wrong. Looking forward to look through your monster scope.

Regards

[RB]

It's been so dewy up here lately that you'll need maximum dew prevention for the scope.
Make sure your footwear is fairly waterproof too and needless to say rug up well.

[Arthur Alchin]

If all goes well will come up the hill and meet some Coasties on Sat night.

arthur

[iceman]

I have checked with Craig at the Paintball Place and he's fine with us coming up! Yay!

See you guys then.

I'll probably be there around 6:00 - 6:30pm.

[RB]

Hopefully the weather will clear by then and the winds will dry the ground.
Looking forward to being there.

:thumbsup:

[iceman]

Just a quick note because someone asked me, so others may have wondered as well..

Please don't bring any pets with you to Kulnura. It's a private property, and there are already 2 (very large) dogs on site.

[ausastronomer]

Mike,

I don't think this is something that relates to the property situation and the 2 resident dogs.

A google search on "star party etiquette" or "star party do's and dont's" will show what is and isn't the right thing to do at a star party. It might be a nice friendly dog, but a one night star party isn't the place for it.

CS-John B

[Rodstar]

I must agree with John that bringing a pet to a dark location with lots of strange people and expensive equipment is probably asking for trouble, wherever you are.

In this particular location, though, you can expect that your pet will end up in the belly of one or t'other guard dog....they are the size of a horse, and no doubt have a horse's appetite.

On more than one occasion the dogs have come up to me from behind, and nuzzled at my waist/bum. It can be quite a surprise!

[maksutover]

Hey all

Man i wish i could come to meet some of you face to face and to get acquainted with the big mighty one, Im talking 20" Rod!!!

But saturday night is the FA cup (soccer) and i cant miss it or ill suicide!

Hope another one will be organised soon, hopefully closer to sydney :P !

[netwolf]

Has anyone recorded the lat/long at the observing field. If so could you tell me what it is.

Regards
Fahim

[GTB_an_Owl]

round about
33 14 06 50 south
151 14 22 55 east

elevation 329 mtrs

i believe Fahim

[GTB_an_Owl]

according to google earth anyway

[netwolf]

Thanks Geoff, and thanks for answering my noobie questions on the phone. Look forward to meeting you tomorrow.

[netwolf]

Is this right.
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&q=-33%C2%B0+14'+06.50%22,+151%C2%B0+14 '+22.55%22&ie=UTF8&ll=-33.235403,151.240518&spn=0.003805,0.007296&t=h&z=17&om=1

[iceman]

It seems like there's going to be quite a few people tonight, including a large number of first-timers!

That's great!

But it could get quite crowded with people's cars there etc as half of the observing field was lost about a year ago when they extended the car park.
If it was summer it would be easier to manage cause it would be light until 8:30pm, but it's going to be dark at 5:30pm and most people will be arriving after that.

If you don't have a telescope, don't park on the observing field (park in the car park). If you do need to park on the observing field, try to minimise the space you will take up.

Try and leave some sort of corridor where cars can get in and out slowly, and carefully, if they need to.

Drive in slowly with your parking lights on. Even get out and walk on the field first to find out where you can setup. If you can, and have room to turn your car around, park with it facing out so you don't need to do a 5-point turn in the middle of the night when trying to go home.

Just common sense and courtesy, but with so many people there I thought it might be worth mentioning.

[netwolf]

Andrew, Peter and I are planning to be there around 4pm, as its our first time there and we want to get our bearings. Also Peter needs some sun light to setup his G-11 and AP Refractor and my LX90. Our goal for the night is to try and conquer drift alignment technique with our mate Peter's setup. We have spent some time playing with the drift alignment simulator practicing, but hope some experts are around to help us. Could someone who is nearer to the field keep us posted on the weather?

One more questions, I am guessing from the Google map that its the firs property on the left after the hard left from Springs Road onto Gretta Road. Are there any signs or guides to get into the observing field?

Regards

[GTB_an_Owl]

entry gate is signed Fahim

take the track to the left for the observing field - the one to the right for parking only

actually it may be the second track to the left - any way you will find it if you are early enough

last time we were there there was a couple of old 4wd vehicles parked on the side of the observing field

geoff

[RB]

I'd like to mention also that the Paintball Place is obviously a place of business and they have groups playing every weekend so it's not a good idea to show up too early either, we don't want to fall out of favour with the management.

Take care guys, hope I can make it tonight to see everyone.
Skies are absolutely clear and we have a nice breeze up here which should help dry things up.

:thumbsup:

[GTB_an_Owl]

WHAT is this HOPE business ?

you better be there boyo - or you in trouble

geoff

[netwolf]

Thanks All for a great night. My friends and I really enjoyed it, we will come again. I am still recovering from the my first look through the big dob's and the unforgettable bino's. It was also my first look through my mates AP APO, simply wonderful. In the hunt for improving my imaging skills I often feel we lose something better about this hobby. Under dark skies sitting in the chair and just looking up under dark skies, I have regained that youthful wonder of just looking in awe and sharing with friends.

Joe thanks for loaning me your cable, very kind of you. Geoff I am finally warm, the suit is great.

Regards
Fahim

[astropolak]

Nice to see you all again.
Thank you all for a wonderful time, especially to Rod for letting us look through his marvellous scope. I can not believe how good that SDM12 actually is, it excels on all objects even planets - have to get myself one of those...

For those of you who were dismayed by the lousy views on my scope with blue filter - it turns out that both sides were full of @!$$, almost like someone tried to clean it with his "used" nose tissue. Do not blame me....

See you again next month - I should have my new Denk Big Easy bino with me. Hope that I have not wasted my hard earned here...:whistle:

RGDS Joe

[iceman]

Was great fun and great company as always. Looking forward to next time.

[Rodstar]

Official Report
Seeing: 3.5/5
Transparency: 2.5/5
Hepworthy scale: 4/5
Bread and butter pudding: 5/5

Unofficial Report
Great to share some time with friends (some old, some newly acquainted). The amateur astronomy world is in safe hands with the likes of all the great folks who were there last night.

It was a shame the transparency and seeing were both a little below par, but the regular supply of ale, and Geoff's bread and butter pudding did the trick!

See you all next month, when the claws of winter will truly have taken grip.

[GTB_an_Owl]

as always , you blokes went home TOO early
views of joop were not too bad from 2 to 3am

Andrew, Deeno and yours truly were there till about 4-15 am enjoying the views of joop and a little more prospecting, then just lounging and looking upwards.

good to see the number of new comers enjoying our little site
hope to see you all again next month

geoff

PS: the missus says thanks for your comments on her bread pud Rod
did you notice any after effects ?
wasn't long before i did - but then i had a few pieces

[bkm2304]

Yes, a friendly evening had by all including the VERY big Hound of the Baskerville type dog! Thanks for all the views and advice everyone! Looking forward to the next effort! :hi:



Richard, F5 (that's freezer suite number 5, not my focal ratio)

[RB]

It was great to meet up with everyone once again and to meet all the new people who joined us.
Thanks to Rod once again for all the views through the 20".
Also to Fahim and his friends, I enjoyed the views through the AP APO and to meet you guys.

And of course thanks to Geoff and Deeno who kept me company till the wee small hours of the morning enjoying the vista that was above.

[jakob]

I enjoyed the night even so I had lo leave earley.

I have todo something with my Goto Mak, the conveyniance of Goto don't comensate for diameter!

Thanks for the viwes through Rod's 20" and Richards LB16".
Looking forward to the next visit.

[Satchmo]

Hi Joe, Great to hear you are making a foray into the world of telescopic binocular vision. I look forward to seeing though it. Beam -splitting Binoviewers are better suited to SCt's as they don't need a barlow lens in between.

Mark S.

[Deeno]

Thanks to everyone for another great night.
Thanks Rod for unlocking a few mysteries with your wonderfull 20" dob.
Special thanks to Geoff and Andrew, sometimes just sitting and admiring the Milky Way is enough.......