Central Coast Observing - Tuesday 13th Nov

[iceman]

Hi guys

Just as a follow-on from the 10th Nov thread, we're planning a night at the Pony Club again, tomorrow (Tuesday) night.

I missed Saturday, and am very keen to get out under the darkish skies again and do some imaging.

I can't get there until 9pm, and being a school night, probably won't stay too late, maybe until 1am ish. I'll just work from home the next day.

Who else is keen to come? Would love the company - to chat, and do some observing while the imaging runs are underway :)

[koputai]

Sounds good. I have a couple of things that may get in the way, but I'll be prioritising the dark skies.;)

Cheers,
Jason.

[GTB_an_Owl]

haven't been able to contact the keyholder as yet (phone engaged or line trouble)

but it will be a goer - if i can't phone her to-morrow i will go early enough to organise the key

geoff

[iceman]

Weather is looking good for tonight! I can't wait to see comet Holmes!

[Deeno]

Maybe able to attend.
I'll see how I go today.

[jakob]

I'm interested too.

[iceman]

Ok my plan for tonight (assuming all goes well):


9pm-10pm: Comet Leonos (if it's not too low) and Accurate Drift Align
10pm-11pm: Fornax Galaxy Cluster.
11pm-12pm: Grus Quartet?? Helix Nebula?? 47Tuc/SMC?? Andromeda?
12am-1am: Comet Holmes
1am - 2am: M42 or Horse/flame


If I can spend about an hour on each object, i'll be looking to get 4-5 x 10min exposures @ ISO800, as long as sky glow isn't too bad. Otherwise i'll do 5 minute exposures.

I'll take the darks on the way home :)

[h0ughy]

dont forget your flats mike and the bias shots too:whistle:

[iceman]

I've heard that bias's aren't necessary as they're included in your darks.

Flats.. well, yeh.. i'll take along a white t-shirt and we'll see what happens ;)

[gmbfilter]

[quote=GTB_an_Owl;270898]haven't been able to contact the keyholder as yet (phone engaged or line trouble)

but it will be a goer - if i can't phone her to-morrow i will go early enough to organise the key

geoff[/quote


When are you & the key arriving?

[GTB_an_Owl]

hope to arrive about 6-30 - 7pm (as early as i can)

managed to make contact - their phone was down for a day or so - the wonders of telstra service

geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

to-nite is definite

see you there h0ughy - Mike needs help :whistle:

geoff

[koputai]

See you all there, probably around 7:30

Cheers,
Jason.

[jakob]

My gear is loaded!
See you there.

[Inmykombi]

Gee guys, now its my turn to be jealous, as I cant get there tonight.

I want a full report on the nights activities though OK.!!!!

Geoff No: 4....

[Rodstar]

I hope you guys have a great night. I would have come along for some good company, but we had our regular group around from church. They have only just left (10.30ish), so it is just too late on a weeknight for me to head off now.

The transparency outside looks nice outside at Point Clare at the moment, although the seeing doesn't look very steady. Anyway, enjoy!

[h0ughy]

Sorry Geoff - fixing up Alan Meehan and his autoguiding tonight

[GTB_an_Owl]

quick report

WHAT A TOP NITE

left sat nite for dead - absolute great views around 2/3am

5am finish

geoff

[Rodstar]

Shucks, Geoff, you sure know how to make a bloke feel good....:(

[RB]

I missed your company mate.
You have no idea how good it was last night.
Crawled into bed at 5.00 am.

[iceman]

Was a great night - I left at 2am just when the sky was getting its best (darkest, most transparent).

Dew was pretty bad but not crippling.

Sky was crystal clear all night.. Imaged Fornax Cluster, 17P Holmes and M42. Spent a lot more time aligning and framing/composing than I would've liked, but the raws looked very good at time of capture. Can't wait to process them.

Was happy to get my first look at Holmes, man it was low. Barely above the tree tops.. in fact in the images it was in the middle of the trees :/ It was so bright and diffuse though, all at the same time :)

Saw Andromeda too, through Jacob and Deeno's binos.. a lovely sight. I would've liked to image it, but I was too late to notice it :)

Was a great turnout, especially for a school night. Can't wait for December meet.

Feeling a bit gritty this morning but i'm working from home so can relax a bit ;)

[[1ponders]]

It's all in the preparation Mike :lol:

[iceman]

Yes very true, once I was aligned and had guiding up and running, everything else fell into place.

But after 1.5 hours and finally capturing my first photon, I compared with 15-20 minutes to planetary imaging and wondered what the hell I was doing ;)

[Rodstar]

I look forward to seeing some pretty pictures, fellas.

[koputai]

Thanks guys, for a great first night out. Lots of good chat, and good observing. I had my first looks through scopes bigger than 8", and wow, impressive stuff. Even the difference between the 10 inch LX200 and my little 8" was amazing.
I cut it short at 1am as I was getting pretty tired, and the finder and eyepieces were all dewed over. So, it looks like heaters and sleep during the day are on the list for next time!


Cheers,
Jason.

[jakob]

Thanks Guys for a great night.
Very enjoyable.
Geoff, thanks for organising keys& buckets!

Looking forward for next time.

[Deeno]

That was one of the best nights viewing I've had to date!
Beautiful skies and good company.
The scope worked flawlessly all night with the Argo directing straight and true without fuss. Easily the most objects that Ive plowed through in one session.
Thanks to everyone involved.

Even had time to grab some sun rise shots from the look out on Woy Woy Road on the way home.

See you next new moon
Deeno

[GTB_an_Owl]

Just another reward for an all-niter Deeno

i noticed that lovely red horizon when i was dropping off the key

you were in the right spot to stop and watch it

geoff

[RB]

Nice photos Deeno, it was a nice sunrise.

:D

[[1ponders]]

That first shops fantastic Deeno. :thumbsup:

Don't worry Mike, you'll get it down to 30min in no time ;)


:whisper: K3 :whisper: K3 :whisper: K3 :whisper:


Just a bit of subliminal :lol:

[iceman]

Paul I need you to tell me/show me how! :) Write a tutorial please! :)

[h0ughy]

he needs to write and produce a video!!!!:thumbsup::whistle:

[Rick Petrie]

Just got back from USA visiting my daughter and first born grandson and reading about last Tuesday night.
Sounds like it was an awesome night for viewing -sorry I missed it.However I did happen to see 17p Holmes while in northern hemishere and to the naked eye it was quite clear and very bright and just happened to be on halloween night. (Didn't know whether I was trick or treating)
Anyway should be at next dark session on the mountain -I hope it is as good as Tues 13th as I have done some mods to dob and looking forward to testing.Good Pics Deeno from staples - Give us a buzz.
See Yaz.