??? Kulnura 14th July

[Arthur Alchin]

Is there any thought from anybody about braving the icey stalactites on the 14th July and heading up the mountain to Kulnura if the ground is less swampy and the sky a bit less cloudy???

PS went out to Wattle Flats "Ryder Homestead" as advertised in Astronomy 2007 the other week with the scope, what a beautiful sky and location.

Arthur

[Rodstar]

I am keen at this stage too, Arthur.

I must admit to feeling a little photon deprived of late. I had a nice session in the backyard last night, but it is never the same as getting away from all of the city lights. Fingers crossed about getting some better weather.

How long was the drive to Ryder Homestead, BTW?

[iceman]

I'll be at CWAS on the Saturday night (14th) and so won't be able to make Kulnura next month. The month after that (August) it's the BSG.

I'll have to make up for the lack of photons by taking in as many as I can at once at BSG.. that is, through the 30"!!!

[Arthur Alchin]

Ryder H'stead About 3 1/2 Hrs From The Entrance Via M2/m7 And Katoomba

[erick]

Arthur, yes some more info on Ryder homestead would be appreciated. I've checked out their website after seeing their ad in Sky & telescope. It's a fair trip from Melbourne, but might be worthwhile if I can step straight out from my accommodation to a scope under dark skies! Thanks Eric

[Arthur Alchin]

Will post some info in general chat area on ryder homestead

Arthur

[GTB_an_Owl]

What are we doing this weekend guy's

who's up for it ?

geoff

[iceman]

I won't be able to make it, I hope you guys have fun and clear skies! Or, clear skies and fun. In that order.

[wavelandscott]

I don't think I can make it either!?#@%*&

Sounds like the Warden has other plans for me...

[Rodstar]

Geoff, I'll be there......sporting my new car, which is being delivered tomorrow. It'll give me a good chance to stretch her legs...

I've PM'ed RB to see if he can let the proprietors know we are coming.

[cahullian]

Have fun guys. I cant make it as the football is still dictating my weekends

Gazz

[Rodstar]

Sorry to hear you can't come Gazz, Scott, Mike.

RB tells me he can't make it either.

Well, it should be a nice intimate gathering, by the sounds.

I have just called Paintball, and left a message to let Craig know we are planning to come. I'll let you know if there is any problem....I'm sure it will be fine.

[GTB_an_Owl]

just you and me then by the looks of it Rod

geoff

[astropolak]

We may be there too...to try out the Denk Binos...

RGDS Joe

[Rodstar]

I've got the all clear from the owners, so it is all systems go.

See you'll up there. I am hoping to get up there by about 6pm. Gee it gets dark early this time of year!

[hector]

Hi All
I was thinking of going to Bucketty but no one else is interested so I think I will join you all with the 25".

[Rodstar]

It will be great to see you, Andrew! Can you bring plenty of EP's???:thumbsup:

[GTB_an_Owl]

Well - we did tell you Andrew !

what looked like being a clouded out session early, turned into the best nites viewing i have witnessed at Kulnura

an absolute MAGIC nite

the Mary Rose and her trusty navigator provided a great tour during the evening and my poor little dob must have been feeling pretty neglected.

Jacob was trying out his new 16" lightbridge and the views from that weren't too bad either

thanks for a great nite people

geoff

[cahullian]

Glad to hear that there was a great time had by all... I'll be there next month as the football will be over and the hedgehog season will be on in full bloom.

Gazz

[Rodstar]

I had a great night too.....I must concur with Geoff. The transparency was about as good as I have ever seen at Kulnura. The seeing came in and out a bit, but there were moments of absolutely outstanding clarity.

Andrew (Murrell).......mate, you missed a ripper! It must have cleared within 15 minutes of your departure. We half expected you would notice while driving, and turn back around! Anyway, much good use was made of your 17 and 26 Nagler. What beautiful eyepieces....47 Tuc in the 26 Nagler is the best view of that object I have ever seen.

Jupiter was a highlight for me. The seeing couldn't quite support 360x, but at slightly lower power, the detail in the festoons was remarkable.

I had some great views of the Antares double (split as cleanly as I have ever seen), The Triffid, the Lagoon, The Ring Nebula (even as such low altitude), the Albireo double, Neptune, M22, M11, M83 (oh my God!), etc etc

Joe and Anushka arrived at a rather unusual hour...approximately 11pm from memory. It was great to have their company. Joe was sporting his new Denkmeier Binoviewers, which created a beautiful 3D effect in the 10" LX200R.

Geoff and I agreed that at about 11.30pm, we really could have done with some Pepperoni pizza (The Rocket Boy Observing Field Pizza Delivery Service was sorely missed).

According the Mary Rose, we got down to 0.1 degrees at the coldest point. Then it seemed it pick up to about 1.5 degrees by pack up time at 1.30am.

Thanks to Geoff, Jakob, Andrew M, Joe and Anushka for some great company.
I look forward to our next outing.

[RB]

Good to hear you guys had a great night !
There was no way I could get out of my family commitments last night. :(

Hope to catch up next time.

[RB]

:lol:
Sorry mate as hard as I tried, there was no way the 'fam' would let dad go last night. It was my son's birthday.
Mind you we did enjoy our GPK pizzas and jelly desserts. :D

[Rodstar]

Sounds like you had fun with the family, Andrew! :)

The stars will wait until the next occasion, and my waistline can probably do without any extra padding anyway!:P

[wavelandscott]

Sounds like those in attendance had a grand time...sory I missed it!

[Deeno]

Sounds like you guys have had a great time! Sorry I couldn't attend. The scope was out under some beautifully clear skies not far away by the Hawksberry River in Gunderman. Would have liked to have made the run up to Kulnura but, we had company.

Deeno

[iceman]

Sorry I couldn't make it. Parkes was great, but cold and cloudy. Wished I was there with you guys too.

Next month it's BSG!

[Arthur Alchin]

It sounds like it was a greeat night up the mountain, I was preparing to go but had a change to by roster which put me off duty at 1930hrs, to late to go home and get the gear and then go up the hill.

Nevertheless I hope to go in August if the night is a goer.

I think the Tracky pants. Morrison oilskin coat, Balaclava and gloves will be out and used. Also hopefully next month i won't have a uni assignment due.

I am glad everybody had a great night.

Arthur Alchin

[Rodstar]

Due to Border Stargaze, the numbers may be rather depleted in August, Arthur. Geoff, Mike, John B, Andrew M and myself (and possibly others) will be down south. In fact, it may not be on at all.

[trufflehunter]

To all my old lost friends! I'm moving back to Newcastle from Brisbane at the end of August and I'm looking forward to catching up at Kulnura in September. I need to dust off the LX90 and re-acquaint myself with AutoStar!

Hoping for clear skies and the presence of the Mary Rose!

-Wayne-

[iceman]

Welcome back Wayne!!

[Rodstar]

Great to welcome you back, Wayne!

After telling you in a PM that I will be at Kulnura in September, I have realised I will be away on a family holiday for most of September. October should be a definite, unless I am away overseas on business (I may be heading off to India). Anyway, we will catch up sometime soon, mate!:thumbsup:

[trufflehunter]

Thanks guys for the warm welcome back, I am really looking forward to it. Shame you won't be there in September, Rod, but hope you have a great holiday and possible trip to India. At least by the time you do get back the weather, or at least the temperature, should be more favourable to those typically cold Kulnura nights. And Mike! Mate, this site has gone from strength to strength! Congratulions it's a credit to you and thank you for all your dedication and hard work to make Ice In Space the best amateur astronomy site in the country, if not the world!

and John, ausastronomer, if you read this... we need to discuss eyepieces! I really miss our talks on that topic. I think I need to rationalise my collection of Meade QX's, trading in the 20, 26 and 36 to one or two premium jobs! Has anyone got hold of the new Paragons? I'll post this question in the eyepieces section to see what people think would be worthy replacements...