Central Coast Observing in February

[Inmykombi]

What date shall it be for New Moon Observing in February ????
The weekend of Saturday the 2nd, or The weekend of Saturday the 9th ????
Maybe both, if SWMBO allows it .:D

At this stage I am open to either / both.

And as we know, the New Moon observing takes precedence over ALL other family activites.:whistle:

Waiting in anticipation ....again....


Geoff # 4

[Rodstar]

I will be away on the weekend of the 9th. I am probably available the week before, but will have to check.

[iceman]

I'm keen for the 2nd Feb.

[caleb]

I was wandering were abouts you hold this and time.
Also, what particular things do you do becuse I hardly know much on astronomy and i'm not an old one!

[GTB_an_Owl]

2nd or 9th - no matter to me

now to answer calebs enquiry

where ? - Mangrove Mountain Pony Club at the moment - look for the map in the sticky section

when? - sometime before it gets dark (especially if it is the first time you have visited - not that it is hard to find) to sometime before it gets light again

what do we do ? apart from drink beer, coffee, bourbon and the odd drop of wine, we get to smell the aroma of RB and Deeno's cuban cigars sometime after midnite. we will sit in our chairs and look for the odd meteor while we chat.
on the very odd occasion we get to sample a "hedgehog" or two (specially when the soccer season is over - is it over yet Gazz ? there are people hanging out to sample a hedgehog)

in between all that, we will share views through one anothers scopes and hope that Rod brings the Mary Rose along to entertain us when we are getting bored.
anyone that needs help generally only needs to ask

think that just about covers it

we would love to have you come join us - all you need is a chair (well you don't really)

geoff

geoff

[Inmykombi]

Well, it appears these hedgehogs have surfaced again....

Will I ever get to see one ? .....Maybe I will be chasing one.
Hopefully they wont be chasing me....

I am in for the 2nd then. Coffee will be there as usual.

See y'all there

Geoff.

[duncan]

Hi all,
Just occasionally i wished i lived down your way. No get togethers up here.
It's just that i dont like the cold LMHO:lol:
Cheers

[GTB_an_Owl]

yep, the get to-gethers down here are great

we love it when it gets cold enough to put the freezer suits on down here - cause generally the clouds go away and the seeing gets much better.

geoff

[ausastronomer]

I am also hoping to make it out to the pony Club on the 2nd. Although I gotta be honest, it aint what I call "dark". However it is convenient and comfortable, which suits me fine. I will bring the 18" Obsession with me. I am going to Coonabarabran for 10 days over March new moon and want to give it a shakedown before I go to Coona. I think it's gonna have spiderwebs on the primary, when I lift the lid :)

Cheers,
John B

[iceman]

You're right John - it's certainly not dark, but it's great in terms of proximity, clear horizons and great facilities.

[Arthur Alchin]

This might be the opportunity to have the Celestron skyscout versus meade mySky shoutout to see which can get a fix quicker. I will try and get up the mountain with the mySky and the schmidt-newtonian

Arthur

[gmbfilter]

Sky scout at the ready...

[Inmykombi]

The weather site I am looking at doesnt look good for the upcoming weekend.:(

However the predictions have been wrong before.:whistle:

Cant wait to see the shoot-out.

Geoff.

[RB]

The 2nd sounds good to me.
Hope the weather behaves.
But then again it always clears after midnight........:whistle:

[iceman]

I agree the forecast looks dodgy :( I hope it's wrong.

[Deeno]

2nd sounds good to me.
Drove past the Pony Club yesterday and the field has been slashed.

Looking forward to it!

[RB]

Yes we drove past on Sunday(?) arvo and they were holding an event.
My kids wanted to pull in and watch the ponys but we didn't have time.

Don't forget the tarps and boots guys ! :whistle:

[koputai]

It's not looking good for me this Saturday, have a two day sea safety course on and will likely be too tired on Sunday if I stay up late on Saturday.
If something happens on the 9th I'll be up for it though.

Cheers,
Jason.

[Inmykombi]

The 2nd sounds like the most popular, I am in for Saturday....however I could be coaxed into a Friday as well.:P

Coffe will be ground and at the ready....

[Arthur Alchin]

weather permitting saturday night sounds good to me and my gear. Geoff: I'll tell you about a little problem with the mysky that was easily rectified when i see you ( Shane is a great asset at astro and optical in crows nest).

arthur

[Rick Petrie]

I'm good for 2nd also, if not a Friday or next Sat 9th. Hope the weather cock is pointed the right way!!!!

:shrug::prey2:

[Inmykombi]

I drove past the Pony Club today and the field looked OK.
The grass has grown since it was slashed, but its only 6 inches high at the moment which will be OK for the weekend.

And Geoff, is it going to clear ?

[GTB_an_Owl]

is it going to clear !

TRUST ME :whistle: :2thumbs: :astron:

geoff

[Inmykombi]

:whistle: We never doubt you Geoff..........Ahem.........

[GTB_an_Owl]

WELL - LOOK - I tell you

the last couple of days i have looked at the cloud in the afternoon and shook my head

stepped out of the van later in the nite for a bit of a break - and GUESS WHAT

NICE CLEAR SKY

so i have kept the binocs handy near the door for a quick squizz

geoff

[Inmykombi]

I'll be there anyway, expecting a clear night.

See ya there....

[Arthur Alchin]

Looked at the weather forecast: doesn't look good! Is any body going up the mountain or do you think it will be postponed till the 9th Feb??

Want to go but only if others are willing to brave the elements, although not fussed on taking all the gear to study the undersides of clouds.

Arthur

[iceman]

It's up to the individual, Arthur. I won't be going if it's cloudy and not likely to clear.

Others still do go, being VERY optimistic, and for the company as well.

[Inmykombi]

If it looks like it does now at 10.30 am I dont think I will make the trip.

But I will wait and see if there is any changes.

:(

[wavelandscott]

I will not be coming up (again) between the weather forecast and a sick child at home I'd better stay in tonight...

Hopefully next month I'll make it...

[GTB_an_Owl]

it's teasing us at the moment - 12-45pm

but the rest of the picture ain't looking good

geoff

[RB]

I may be able to join you guys if anyone is still willing to show up, even if the weather's dodgy but I'm going out for the arvo and won't be back till around 6.30pm.

I'll check the thread then and see what's been decided.

:stargaze::anaut::astron:

[Inmykombi]

Yes it is teasing us at present Geoff.

My mind is saying ....yes - no - yes - no - yes - no.....then I remember what Geoff says.

"It is going to clear" , and then I start getting my stuff together for the trip up the mountain again.


I feel like Dr. Jekyl and Mr Hyde.:screwy:


Looks good to the East from My place, but the West still needs to improve.

I'll check again in an hour or so..

[Rick Petrie]

Just looked on the radar for the area and no significant storms or major clouds forming. BOM indicates that the evening will be mainly fine.
Does this tease enough or what is the concensus with everyone?
Will we give it a go?:shrug:

[Inmykombi]

I will be going up there, and so is Rick Petrie.

Any other takers ?

there is a fair bit of clear sky around where I am so I am off to check it out.

Who else is in ?

[iceman]

Clearing a bit now, but still very frustrating. Will wait and see.

[Inmykombi]

Sue are you going up as well ?

[Inmykombi]

C'mon Mike, Geoff says it will clear....

[Deeno]

What to do??
Just back from cricket and its looking reasonable.
I'll clear the car out and decide then...........

[Inmykombi]

Deeno, there is a couple of definates already.
Come for a coffee at least.

I'll bet there from abvout 8 - 8.30

Geoffro.

[GTB_an_Owl]

i'm coming up for the run seeing as how i have some deliveries to do

somebody please bring a scope :whistle: :whistle: :whistle:

geoff

[iceman]

Clearing now, but the satellite shows more cloud in about an hour or two.

[Sue Lang]

Hi all,

Would love to be going tonight but a sore eye prevents it.:( Looks like I will just have to make do with the lamb roast! Saw Venus and Jupiter this morning - fabulous!

Have to wait til next time!

Cheers
Sue

[GTB_an_Owl]

you have TWO eyes Sue

you can use the other one

geoff

[Inmykombi]

C'mon Sue, we need to get that scope of yours going well.

Geoffro.

[RB]

I'm in !

I'll see you guys around 8.30'ish.

:)

[Sue Lang]

Would really love to be on my way but can't drive when my eye is itching and weeping. Its like an allergic thing but don't know what to. I'll be right for next weekend if anyone else is going. You never know, it may well be clear(er) then. Sometimes the Gods just don't smile on you.

Thanks for the thought
Sue

[Deeno]

Car is packed:driving:
Will see you up there.:astron:

[Rodstar]

Sorry fellas, I am going to pass tonight. I am feeling dog tired, and I am still not convinced about the conditions...(famous last words)....

[GTB_an_Owl]

" Oh hear ye non believers, and thee of little faith.
let it be known that six of the faithful did this Saturday the 2nd of February, partake in the wielding of telescopes at the Mangrove Mountain Pony Club.
Many of the visible favourites and a selection of double stars were observed in often PRISTINE conditions in a nice assortment of scopes.
Much camaraderie and banter was exchanged, and there were cashew nuts, tim tams and much coffee on the table to be consumed.:whistle:
Thee who have made recent purchases were held responsible for much cloud and fog that descended upon us in the wee hours of the morning, ending our vigil at 3-50am."

thanks fella's

geoff

[iceman]

Sorry I missed it, glad you had a great time.

[Inmykombi]

And the words that he spaketh did come to pass.
And those who heard this word shall never doubteth again.
And the words " It will clear " rangeth out in the night for all to hear.

Well Geoff said it would clear.......and it did.....even if it was on and off.

Those who set up a scope were treated to some old favourites before the heavy dew took hold.

Mars was a nice sight as well as Saturn later on when it was high in the sky.

I also observed some nice double stars ( Acamar, Rigel, Alpha Crux) and even a lovely triple in Monoceros. Beta Monoceros I believe.

The triple was a lovely close system that looked very nice indeed at a medium power ( 164 times ).

I was not dissapointed and had my eye to the eyepiece most of the night.

The clouds finally closed in again so we called it a night around 3am or so I think.

Thanks to those who turned up and also those who voted me to
return the key.
It was an experience being harrassed by the local dog when
locking the gate..........in the dark...:lol:

[Rodstar]

I am glad you had such a nice time Geoffs one and all!

In the end I was glad to muddle by myself in the backyard doing a TPAS star run, and then to head off to bed without the pack-up and long drive before midnight.

See you all next month. I am away next weekend.

[Rodstar]

Geoff, if you have an appetite for doubles at the moment, you cannot go past sigma Orionis (5 stars system, 4 of which are plainly visible), with Struve 761 in the FOV, again with 4 stars visible. That is about my favourite double (actually a double double in this instance) at the moment, along with Adhara in Canis Major, which reminds me of Rigel, but a little closer in separation. :thumbsup:

[Inmykombi]

Thanks Rod, I have locked them into the grey matter hard disk for next session.

Geoffro.

[Rick Petrie]

Well last night was probably a "window of opportunity"in what one would call a miserable weather pattern at the moment. Great time was had by all attendees and some occasional pristeen moments as Geoff's both reported.
Seeing wasn't too bad, however the dew problem put a "damper" on things.
My scope was suffering huge build up and I think I will need to experiment with a "Cuban" smoke test as Andrew said to determine the flow of air through the tube. Deeno also had an "AIRFLOW" problem but we won't go there.:rofl:
During the latter part of the night our banter was keeping the local dogs awake and they paid us a visit. Everyone thought we discovered a new "double star" through the fog, when we found out that the double was only the reflection of the dogs eyes from the torch. :sadeyes:
Cheers.

[GTB_an_Owl]

I apologise to the masses for an error in accounting

we actually numbered seven - not six

i forgot Arthur packed up early because of the dew

guess you will all be working on dew shields and chasing down hair dryers this week

( and i am not going to go anywhere near the bloke that has all them resisters :lol: :lol: :lol: )

geoff

[Deeno]

Well worth packing up scope and making the trip.

Had a nice run for an hour or so even though conditions were quite heavy with the atmosphere thick with moisture, things cleared up adequately enough (pristine) for the the Argo to navigate a lap of clusters and nebulas around Orion, a tour of galaxies in Leo and a peek at some of the other usual suspects.

Enjoyed the magnificent views of Saturn through Geoff’s LX200 even though Saturn was upside down and the wrong way round.....

Great to catch up and chew the fat...so to speak
Deeno

[GTB_an_Owl]

you can be thankfull we didn't put the buckets out then Geoff :lol:

geoff

[Inmykombi]

Funny you should say that Deeno, I also had a report of an upside down and wrong way round image from Geoff. In between his adjusting the focusser which was " always out "

I carefully checked and re-checked my equipment this morning and found all to be OK.
It must be Geoffs and your eyes that are wrong, or its your mind playing games, which I believe can frequently happen from the
" DOB side of the camp " :whistle:

[Inmykombi]

I think the buckets would have still been there till next trip Geoff.:scared:

[RB]

A fun night was had by all who attended and indeed we were lucky to get clear skies throughout the night.

The views through Geoff's LX200 10" and Rick's scopes were great, I really enjoyed "the triple" and views of Saturn and Mars too.

We also managed to fill the urn with water after solving the mystery of the missing water and thanks to Geoff_The_Owl, there was plenty of "coffee on the table" :doh:.
Also enjoyed Geoff's (inmykombie) freshly ground coffee, thanks mate. :thumbsup:


Always a pleasure to be of service Rick ! :whistle:

Thanks for you company guys, always a pleasure to catch up again.

[GTB_an_Owl]

yes - well you just have to be there to get some of our subtle jokes, don't you RB.
apart from there being plenty of coffee on the table, i enjoyed Geoffs freshly ground version that he brewed after the farmer in you sussed the water problem
the beautiful sunset on the way up alone, made the trip worthwhile

considering the expected weather pattern, what we ended up with was terrific.
and yes, sorry geoff - knowing how much noise the dogs make when you are closing the gate, i should have stayed with you

geoff

[koputai]

Guys,
Is anyone thinking of Pony Clubbing this coming weekend, Friday 8th/Saturday 9th?

Cheers,
Jason.

[iceman]

I'll be away, so can't come.

[Inmykombi]

I will plan on being there again.

I ran the idea past SWMBO and only got a "HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM"

So I took that as a yes, it definately it wasnt a NO. ;)

Whats the weather lookiing like ? Has anyone checked ?

[RB]

It will clear !

:whistle:

[GTB_an_Owl]

HEY!
thats my line - get your own

partly cloudy and windy - Dweather say's for Sat

geoff

[Inmykombi]

plenty of time between now and then.


Is anyone doing anything for the Solar Eclipse on Thursday ?

[Arthur Alchin]

if saturday nights on I may well go back up. Any advice how to clean my corrector lens as it got "DEWED" up last saturday and now looks a bit spotty????i have made a DEW heater this week out of nichrome wire at 14 watts and want to give it a go.

Arthur Alchin

[Inmykombi]

Hi Arthur,

14 watts sounds a bit hefty to me.
Although I had advice to make a heater at 15-20 watts when I was asking.
I actually made two heaters from resistors at 6 watts each.
Which means a total amp rating of 1 amp at 12 volts.
One heater for light dew, and two for heavy dew.
I had no problems at all last week with the dew when using both heaters..:D

Nicrome wire might behave differently, it will be interesting to see how it goes.

With regard to cleaning, I got hold of this great stuff from Bintel.
Its nicknamed "jungle juice".
It is especially made for cleaning correcting plates / lenses with UHTC.

The cleaners' correct name is UHTC cleaning solution.
Just call BINTEL as I did, and they send it out to you . I ordered it one day and had it the next....about $18 dollars if I remember rightly.

They say that we shouldnt use it too often....only occasionaly.

Look forward to catching up again soon.

Geoff.

[RB]

Anyone game for tonight (9th)?

:scared3: :whistle:

[h0ughy]

you know it does look like its clearing, even though its raining!!!!

[RB]

Well it just might you know !

Took this a few minutes ago.
It may end up a good night.
:shrug:

[koputai]

Well if it does, I'll be enjoying it from my backyard!

Cheers,
Jason.

[Rick Petrie]

I would love to think it would clear, but here on the coast there is some portals of blue but still plenty of thick black ones hanging around that look like they will dump some more.:(
I will have another look in about an hour or two.:confuse3:

[ausastronomer]

If it clears and we look like getting a few starters I may head up there. I won't be taking my scope. Too much work in marginal weather for a one night maybe.

Cheers,
John B

[Rick Petrie]

Still much the same- I don't think I'll risk driving up to mountain.
Might set up at home for a fix if promising enough.:shrug:

[Inmykombi]

I wont be going up to the mountain tonight. It looks too risky.

The clouds on the coast are still thick enough to keep me inside..:sadeyes:


Geoffro

[RB]

ok it's a no-go tonight, we'll have to wait till next month and hope for better weather guys.

:(