SE-QLD viewing night

[[1ponders]]

The school holidays are starting soon and I'm sure that for many of you, you are already looking forward to the end of it. ;) :family2: :family: :rundog: :tasdevil: :tasdevil: :tasdevil: What better way than to relax in the countryside :campfire: :cheers: :astron: with some fellow telescopees.


There are moves afoot to have a night (or maybe two) at Astrorons fabulously dark site near Kenilworth on the balmy :cold: sunshine coast hinterland. The tentative date ATM is the weekend of the 2nd of July. This is the last weekend before school goes back and three days before the new moon. Its a big weekend with all the planets visible at some point during the night, and an extremely close conjunction between Saturn, Venus and Mercury. Its a shame though the Americans won't come to the party and crash their probe a couple of days early :P

PM me or post here so we know who's coming.

ps Its about 1 1/4 -1 1/2 hours north of Bris Vegas.

[iceman]

Sounds like a great weekend, wish I could make it :)

This is actually happening between 25th-27th June, this month.

See link: http://www.aaa.org/aaawhatsup0506.htm

[Striker]

Paul remind me closer to the date...oh by the way...I will be charging you the normal $50 appearance fee for my services...you know the drill...may have to ask for Fuel allowance aswell...will let you know...lol

[[1ponders]]

That's Ok. It'll be your usual camping fee too so better bring along the vault. :P

Oh and $15 per milliwatt for running observational appliances and accessories :lol2:

[[1ponders]]

Ok so far we have
Astroron
[1ponders]
grandpanancy
Striker (Elvis in disguise. Who else would charge that much for an appearance)
Astro_south
mhodson
Nightshift (pending)
Chrissyo (hopeful)

[Iddon]

50/50 at this time Paul.
All good intent, but have to see how the diary pans out :)

[[1ponders]]

It'd be great if yo can make it Grant

[astro_south]

I will be a starter if my planned trip down to Coombell (to see Rob - aka xreckor) can't happen due to work - at the moment it is about 50/50. If I do come I could pick you up Dan on the way.

[astroron]

Hi All who may want to come upto my place on the July weekend if you need a map to get here give me a PM with an email address and I will send you one. astroron :astron:

[Iddon]

I was just going to reprogram GPS part of the Lx200GPS and have it point me the way there. A new sort of GOTO.

[astroron]

If you go into my profiles you will get my coordinates to the last metre. astroron :astron:

[mch62]

Paul ,I should be up at the lations that week end so put me down but will confirm closer to the date.

[mch62]

Hay Tony , if you go what second hand goodies will you have for sale :poke: :rofl: :D

[[1ponders]]

Cheers Mark I'll have the ransom ready:D

[Nightshift]

Put me down pending -> :windy: <- and lately I don't feel so hopeful. Oh, please don't tell me it's a dry site? I have an equatorial wedge for my esky.

[[1ponders]]

What's a dry site Nightshift:D:P Hope you can make it. Pop in for a drink on Sunday or Monday.

[astroron]

:astron: :stargaze: Hi Just thought I would add a pic of the clouds from Cambroon observatory so you can see the dark sky.astroron

[[1ponders]]

If that don't encourage 'em Ron, nothing will :) :thumbsup:

[astroron]

Just hope the weather gods will be kind to us. astroron :stargaze:

[[1ponders]]

The way its been the last couple of weeks, they owe us big time:)

[Chrissyo]

Its the one weekend that I'm staying at a friends house that a thread like this is made :P

Sounds like this will be great fun. Gotta ask the parents if I can go, though I really hope I can! Put me on the maybe list :D

[[1ponders]]

NP Chrissyo. I'd be great if you can make it. I think you'd enjoy it. If you can make it and beg to Ron he might just break out his 16" DOB

[iceman]

I would've assumed the 16" dob would be waiting at the door? :D

Hope you guys have a great night, I expect picture and reports! I hope the weather is kind for you.

[astroron]

:thumbsup: :astron: :stargaze: :hi: The 16" ,The 8" the 60mm and the dark sky will be waiting for all who are attending. astroron

[astro_south]

Paul, Ron

I am a confirmed starter (now that I can't get off work the following week to venture down to Coombell), and I will be there with my 12.5" Dob. Looking forward to some dark skies. I will probably overnight it...are tents required?

[[1ponders]]

Good one Andrew:cool2: Might be a good idea. I'm certainly taking mine. And plenty of warm clothes.

Look forward to seeing you there

[astroron]

Hi All who are thinkig of coming to my place next month, I have 2acres paddock for you to camp on ,but if you don't have a tent just bring a matress and you can sleep on the lounge floor or the study,also have a spare bedroom and a spare tent(first in best dressed)
As paul said bring plenty of warm clothes as it can get fairly cold.
Please pm me a couple of days in advance what facilaties you require and if you wish to stay more than one night.astroron :astron: :campfire: :stargaze: :cool: :cold:

[[1ponders]]

Any more takers for the night. Common guys and gals, I know there are more than half a dozen iceinspacers living around this area.

[h0ughy]

I'd love to come but it is a wee bit far to travel in a night. I'll see you guys at QAF :D in a month

[Comet Hunter]

Unfortunately I'll have to miss this one :( Hopefully I'll see ya's all at the next gathering though :stargaze: You must be close to your official opening wouldn't you Tony? :poke::driving:

[astro_south]

Just to confirm, I assume everyone is planning to be there on SATURDAY night?.....I don't think this was directly mentioned in the other posts.

[[1ponders]]

Yep Saturday night Andrew

[Iddon]

Might have to take the boy fishing - family committments may trump this unfornunately....

[[1ponders]]

Ok folks, here's the map to Ron's place. The map assumes you are coming from Bris Vegas and are coming via Landsbourough, through Maleny and Conondale.

If you come through Eumundi and then Kenilworth, through to Little Yabba Creek, then about another 3-5kms then turn left at the Cambroon caravan park (Caravan pk will be on your right). When you turn from the caravan park you will cross a single lane wooden bridge.

This is all weather permitting of course. Anyone got an old scope they'd be willing to sacrific to the Gods of Astronomy to ensure a nice weekend?

[astro_south]

I don't know about old scopes - I'm hoping your binoviewer gets delayed in transit till after the weekend :D

[[1ponders]]

Did anyone see the weather forecast tonight (hahahaha :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :lol::lol: ) Of course you didn't :D

Looks like fine weather this weekend. WoooooHoooo :cool::cool:

And about time too!!!!

BTW anyone got any double up eyepieces they can bring so we can play "Binoviewer Review" ?

[astro_south]

Paul

Both Mark and myself have 8mm Radians, so if Mark makes it then that will be a start for the bino testing.

See you Saturday

[mch62]

Both Andrew and myself have nice big 31mm Naglers but there 2" ---I'll bring a lathe and bore it out. :rofl:

I have 2 x 25mm silver Synta Plossel (twins) to try in the Binoviewer.

Up for sale as well :D

Should be there as long as the rain isn't.

Mark

[iceman]

I definitely want to see a full and comprehensive review of the binoviewers!

I hope the weather is fine for you.. our weather down here is good for.... ducks!

[[1ponders]]

If anyone has any of the following eyepieces bring them along. 32mm Celestron plossl, 20mm silver synta plossl, 15mm celestron "omni"plossl, 10mm celestron "e-lux", 9.7 mm Meade series 4000 super plossl.

[astro_south]

I will be travelling up from Brisbane (leaving around lunch time) on Saturday if anyone who is travelling reasonably light wants a lift (PM me to make arrangements). Looks like the rain has scrubbed the sky clean for Saturday night !!!!!.

Paul: I don't have any in your list above, but I will naturally be bringing along all my eyepieces, so there may be other double-ups with other attendees for you to try out your bino viewer. I'm sure Ron has the odd eyepiece or two. It was also a good thought to test out your binoviewer ahead of Saturday! :D

[[1ponders]]

Looks like its a goer tomorrow night. Forecast is lovely and clear here. :clap:

[h0ughy]

I am happy for you guys. get some nice pictures! :thumbsup:

[xrekcor]

We're having spectacular weather here too!!!

Actually since Astro_south couldn't make my place. I was thinking of coming up for the night... or maybe two lol... but unfortunately my car decided it was time to see a machanic.

Hope you all had a great time

regards

[[1ponders]]

It was a fabulous night last night guys. I'm sure some one will do a right up soon:)