Central Coast observing session THIS weekend

[Rodstar]

Mike and I have been discussing an impromptu observing session sometime this weekend at the Pony Club.

Sure, the moon is rising fairly early (about 11pm-midnight ish), but it would be kinda nice to have a few hours under some darker skies. The forecast for most of the weekend is very good, so I don't want to miss the opportunity. It doesn't have to be a really late night, and one can always polish off a fine night with some Rutherglen Reserve Liquour Muscat.

And, I have a new ETHOS to try out. :D

I can't do Sunday night, which would have been my preferred option otherwise, and I suspect my brothers-in-law who are both out from the UK at the moment may have plans for me on Monday night (New Year's Eve). The weather forecast favours Saturday night, so that is what I am planning at this stage, subject to final variations and the comments of others.

Who is interested?

Geoff (GTB), are you already away by then?

[iceman]

I'm interested! But can't do Saturday night, Kate and I are going to dinner/movies.

Sunday or Monday is fine with me!

[Rodstar]

Sorry Mike, you did say something about that! :doh:

I have checked with SWMBO, and it looks like New Year's Eve (Monday night) should be OK after all. The weather forecast for Monday is much the same as Sunday (but more cloudy on Tuesday). Another benefit to Monday night is that the moon is all that bit later in rising, so we should be able to do some good observing until about 12.30-1am.

So shall we say Monday?

[iceman]

I just realised Monday is new years eve.. will have to check with SWMBO.
At this stage, Sunday is the best day for me.

[GTB_an_Owl]

Yep - i am allready away Rod

in Port Macquarie at the moment
going to Coffs saturday sometime

geoff

[Rodstar]

You are doing the reverse of John Bambury. He is headed today to Coffs Harbour (from Ballina), then onto Port Macquarie after that.

Hope you enjoy some nice weather.

While you are in Coffs, try Cafe Aqua, near the Bowlo. Great breakfast!

[Inmykombi]

Sorry folks.
Unless all my plans for Saturday , Sunday, and Monday turn to mud, I wont be going.

New Years eve we are hosting a Party as well,and I am cooking, so I can't do Monday.:doh:

Hope the weather is kind to those who do make the treck....:D

Geoff No:4

[gmbfilter]

Sounds like a perfect way to spend new year. I probably won't be able to get there. Have a great time

[Rodstar]

Just in case anyone is thinking of dropping in to the Pony Club, it is now looking like Sunday night is the night, as I do not really want to be on my own.....I will be a little late on Sunday, though, probably there by 9ish.

I observed last night at home until midnight quite comfortably, so there should be a few good hours of time at the Ethos before the glare of Luna is unduly corrupting on Sunday night.

Mike, are you able to notify the owners, and collect the keys?

[iceman]

I'll give them a call this arvo.
The moon won't rise till after 1am, and it doesn't get dark until 9pm, so I think you'll be fine getting there around that time.

I'll try and get there by 8:15pm or so.

[Rodstar]

Thanks Mike. See you Sunday night.:thumbsup:

[Deeno]

Fantastic.
Shall make an appearance

Deeno

[RB]

Looks like I'll be there too, unless anything changes I'll see you guys there.

:)

[Rodstar]

Great news, Deeno and RB!

[iceman]

Fantastic! And I have the go-ahead, too. I'll be there!

[David]

Hi Rod, Mike Andrew. hope to see you there, that's if I can find the new site. hope it is a night like tonight.

[Rodstar]

It will be good to see you David, if you can make it. I must remember to pack your Dune DVDs, which I have had for far too long.

[iceman]

Weather looks great! I've organised for the key to be in the letterbox, but I don't know if i'll be first there.

If you plan to be there before 8pm, give me a call or PM and i'll give you key instructions.

[Inmykombi]

I can now make it, if I get all my jobs around the house done. That came from the boss too.......:whistle:

It will be great to finally get my Meade onto the mountain.
So I am working like a steamtrain today to get things ready for our New Years Party.

If you read this Mike, please bring me a beanie along.

I will get there as early as I can. As close to 9 as I can.

weather is looking good from here.

Geoff No:4

[David]

Thanks Rod, looks like its going to be a good night & I will be bringing my dad & he knows the way as my sister used to go to pony club so I will see you all there.

[RB]

Great news David, looking forward to catching up with you again.

:)

[gmbfilter]

Yippee !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. up up and away I'm off ?

[Rodstar]

Looks like I am the first up to give a report on the night's proceedings.

What an odd night, weather-wise. Crystal clear viewing until about 10.15pm, then the sky turned to cloud soup. Sucker holes teased from then on, only lasting in one place for 30 seconds or so. I then packed up at about midnight, only to find at about 12.30 after the pack-up was complete that the sky was clearing again. Don't you hate that?

Anyway, I had enough time at the EP to enjoy some special views, and share same with a few of the of the lads.

The stand out objects for me, with the Ethos, were the LMC, NGC 253 and NGC 1365.

The LMC was crawling with nebulosity and clusters. Not in a dull or faint way, but an "in your face screaming" sort of way, with incredible detail. I have never felt so close to that vast object.

NGC 253 spread beyond the limits of the Ethos FOV, and was magnified just perfectly such that exquisite detail was apparent, far beyond the usual "mottling" that one might normally observe. For the first time ever I could sense the spiral shape and see the object (without colour) as it looks in many photos.

NGC 1365 was bright and clear as the object one sees imaged. One thing that several people (such as RB) picked up was that the spiral arms showed soft edges, rather than just faint lines. Again, it was reminiscent of many photos I have seen of this object, where one sees the arms as not having hard edges, but simply a trail of knotted stars.

I also enjoyed a range of other objects, such as 47 Tuc, M42, NGC1261, NGC 1535, Mars, and the Adhara double in Canis Major.

After I had packed up, it was nice to catch some views of Saturn and Luna through Deeno's scope. Nice views were enjoyed through the 6mm Radian.

As always, it was great to catch up with everyone. It was nice to hear the familiar sound of Geoff's LX200 (that sound has so many happy memories..), enjoy Mike's Thai chilli chips and choc chip cookies, and sit down wind from RB's Romeo and Juliet cigar. Mmmmmmmmm!!! Good to see David again, and his dad (Laurie?) and to share the company of everyone, including Rick, who I can't remember seeing before?? Welcome Rick!

Thanks for the company, guys! Until next time....

[iceman]

ah well, last night was fun but frustrating.. It looked like it was going to be such a nice clear night, and started off great!

I got some widefield tuttle/holmes, then when I wanted to image them both through the ED80, the clouds came :(

ah well, there's always this weekend.

Look forward to catching up with friends again, and it was a fun night for an impromtu session.

[Inmykombi]

The company was great as usual.
It was a shame to have the clouds persist as they did.

However, those who stayed, were treated to a few bright meteors and a really sharp view of Saturn through Deeno's Dob at about 1-2 am.


I will make the effort again next weekend.

Cheers

Geoff

[RB]

Yes very frustrating to start the evening off clear and then to see the clouds roll in only to clear again when the moon decided to wake up. :rolleyes:

I found out that I need a bigger eye ball to take in the whole FOV through Rod's Ethos, WoW what an eyepiece !!!

So good to see everyone again, thanks for the company guys.
It was really nice to meet Laurie (David's dad) and Rick too.

Happy New Year to everyone !

[RB]

We're a very cultured group of observers at the pony club Rod.
A little Shakespeare while observing is quite edifying to our Psyche. :whistle:

:lol:

[Rodstar]

So true, Andrew.

Was is Shakespeare who said through one of his characters, "All the world's a stage"? As one draws deeply on a Cuban cigar and looks out at the night sky, one is perhaps led to consider the entire heavens a stage. On most nights, I would consider a standing ovation appropriate.

[RB]

Indeed it was Rod, from Shakespeare's - "As you like it".

And you're right, a standing ovation is in order as one takes in the grandeur of the night sky.

:)

[Rick Petrie]

On the subject of Shakespeare, I think the last Sunday viewing had more resemblance to "Twelfth Night" as it was during the Christmas season and the coming and going of the clouds was a bit of a comedy.
Other than this digress, it was a good night after all and viewing at times was excellent. Thanks to Deeno and Geoff and Rod for the looks through your scopes. Nice to eventually meet you Mike also.
Thank you very much Rod for allowing me the experience of the "ethos" through my Dob. It certainly made the cosmos literally jump out at you and knock you over. It made my Nagler 9 look quite average. Thanks again I was a bit nervous handling it, I might add.
Can't make this Sat now but looking forward to next one on the hill.
Cheers happy New Year. Rick.:)