Central Coast March 2008

[Arthur Alchin]

Sounds like the new Moon is the 9th March 2008, therefore is it fitting that Sat the 8th would be the pony club night. If so I should be there as I would have just commenced a couple of months holiday.

Want to try out new dew shield and heater (both home made).

Arthur Alchin

[iceman]

Sounds good to me. Hopefully the weather will co-operate this time.

[GTB_an_Owl]

the 9th it is then

MARK your calenders boys and girls
no excuses for not turning up - keep it free, i mean locked in - you know what i mean ( and no - not valvoline )

geoff

[Inmykombi]

Friday the 7th or Saturday the 8th is OK with me .

I'll pencil in both nights............

Geoffro

[ausastronomer]

I will be away at Coonabarabran from 29/2 to 10/3 so hopefully I will catch up with you guys April New moon if you are not at SPSP.

Cheers,
John B

[Rick Petrie]

I'm OK with either day. Chalked up a few browny points with all this inclement weather of late. Catch up hopefully -will be fine won't it Geoff?
Famous last words.:D

[GTB_an_Owl]

of course it will Rick

of course it will :whistle:

and it will be cold :thumbsup:

geoff

[Inmykombi]

We believe you Geoff.

:prey2::prey2::prey2::prey2::prey2: :prey2:

[RB]

I'm hoping to be there.
Might even bring a scope. :whistle:

[Inmykombi]

Hi Andrew, It would be great to see you there with your scope.

I could learn a lot from your experience with your MEADE.

Hope to see ya there with your regular Cuban friends....:whistle:

[GTB_an_Owl]

nah Geoff

he will probably bring the 8" lightbridge so we can duel on Mars and Saturn

:lol: :lol:

geoff

[Kal]

I'll pencil it in. New astro toys and lots of rain lately mean I'm itching to get under dark skies.

[Inmykombi]

Andrew, If you bring the Meade I will make sure I get there early enough to help you lift her and set her up if you like.:D

I will eat lots of weet-bix in the morning to get the energy up for the lift.:lol:

Just looking outside tonight and it looks fantastic. Although the Moon will be up and Full fairly early I think.
I am off to Ricks for a bit of observing and maybe a beer......

Anyway, it would be good to see you and your scope there on the Mountain next time.

Geoffro.

[h0ughy]

hey i might have a 16" lightbridge by then, you know what they look like dont you Geoff?;)

[GTB_an_Owl]

yes i saw that post Dave - where you going to put it ?

and yes Dave - with only a month and a bit to go, that memory keeps rolling round in my head :doh:

geoff

[h0ughy]

or ticket in hat?:help:

[GTB_an_Owl]

i will make sure i only register once this year :lol:

geoff

[RB]

Cheers mate, I'll make a special effort to come early & bring her then.
We'll sound like a Brazilian coffee house; grinding away with our scopes throughout the night.

:lol:

[bkm2304]

I'll be there with the 16" Lightbridge with G-Star Ex on board - wanna see some REALLY faint stuff?

Is the Pony Club an all night effort or do we have to vacate before dawn?

Richard

[Inmykombi]

The " grinding " is a great sound....nothing like it anywhere else....

Just let me know what time you wanna get there and we will organise a set up.:)

Geoffro.

[Inmykombi]

Hi Richard.

The Mountain observing nights can be as late as you wish them to be.
Some leave Early, but others leave later.
There is a few who stay back till the we early hours, and drive home around pre-dawn.Thats me included....:D

Bring a fold-out chair and a coffee cup to stay the entire night if you wish.
A clear night, freshly ground coffee and the smell of the odd Cuban.......
What more could a person ask for..



Look forward to seeing you there.

Geoffro.

[RB]

There's usually a handful that stay till around 3 or 4am or until it starts raining....:whistle:
We usually call it quits around that time because someone has to be the last to lock up and return the key which is a bit of a distance away.
We've never actually stayed till the sun comes up contrary to popular belief. :lol:


Absolutely agree Geoff, it's a lovely sound indeed.
I'll PM you at the time and let you know of my plans.

Cheers
Fidel :P

[Inmykombi]

Just to add to Andrews comments about locking up if your last out.

There should be two people to lock up.....
One to fend of the local dogs that leap out from the dark.... and another to lock the gate...
I am speaking from experience..:scared:

Geoffro.

[GTB_an_Owl]

you were lucky that nite Geoff

you didn't have to go over the road and retrieve the red buckets

:scared3: :rundog:

geoff

[Inmykombi]

I would have loved to seen a photo of myself as the dog barked behind me with no warning.
Next time ( if there is a next time :lol: ) I will take a whip and a chair with me.

[Inmykombi]

Geoff,
Can you bring some freezer boots with you when next we meet on the mountain please.
I would like to try some for the upcoming cooler / colder / freezing weather on the Winter nights.
If the sizes are similar to standard shoes, then 10-11 may be OK.

Cheers.

Geoffro.

PS. Do they enable the wearer to run much faster from dogs ?:lol:

[GTB_an_Owl]

what size shoe do you take Geoff ?

don't know that they let you run faster - but it doesn't hurt as much when they nip your heels because of the wool lining.

good idea to get them now and have them run in for Ilford anyway

geoff

[Inmykombi]

Wow , I am excited.... I just passed 200 posts.....wooo-hoooo.....ahem.

To answer your question about foot size. I think 10 1/2 or 11 will be OK.

Oh and how much are they ?


Cheers

[GTB_an_Owl]

boots are $66 Geoff

will bring a pair of elevens for you to try

geoff

[Inmykombi]

Geoff, size 11's sound good to me.

All we need now is a fine Friday or Saturday Night.:D

See ya there.

Geoffro.

[wavelandscott]

Assuming the weather is fit (and if Owl says it will be fit then it will be because he is never wrong in these things!)

Is the go on Saturday night?

I can't make Friday (Waratah Tickets) but, I think I can get a good behaviour pass for Saturday night if people are going to gather.

I am assuming the Pony CLub has overtaken Paintball as the "place".

Hope to see all this weekend!

[iceman]

Yeh Scott, Saturday night at the Pony Club.

Weather is looking pretty good so far, I'm looking forward to it!

[GTB_an_Owl]

the forecast say's it will be FINE Scott - and i will not argue

will the young'uns be attending ?

geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

i will take that back - just looked at the latest forecast for Sat

geoff

[wavelandscott]

Most likely just me...I hope...

[Inmykombi]

___________________________________ ____________________________

Geoff, have you forgotten your own words that have been engraved into our minds.

It will clear...............

[GTB_an_Owl]

Geoff

i can't remember seeing anywhere in the OWL Creed where i have to be anything other than WISE - even if i stretch the truth or reality sometimes :whistle: ;) :lol:

geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

Sooooooo - i take it we have settled on saturday nite then ?

i will send the request to arrange the key then.

geoff

[iceman]

Yes please! I hope to be there by 8pm.

[RB]

I'm hoping to be there, all depends on my work load.
I've been working till late every night this week (same again tonight) and feel dog tired.

Hope the weather co-operates, Mike are you going to be tired or rested up. :poke:

[iceman]

I'm all rested.. 2 nights in a row of clouds :)

[Inmykombi]

Comon Andrew, remember we have to set up the MEADE Scopes side by side to get that " whirring " sound in Stereo....:lol:

I will be there as early as I can so I can help you set her up. I'll even eat extra weet-bix to be ready for the lift....

Coffe should be ground again...

Geoffro..

[Rainsey]

Hey guys,

Just joined the forum, what is the go with the nights that you go out? Am currently telescopless (if that is a word) but keen to learn. Can anyone roll up?

Cheers
Rainsey

[Inmykombi]

Welcome Rainsey,

It doesnt matter if you dont have a scope at present.

If you want to just turn up and meet everyone you are welcome.

There should be plenty of scopes to see on the night.

Here is a link to the map for directions.

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=26142

cheers.

Geoffro

[Rainsey]

Geoffro,

Cool and thanks for the reply. Quite ironic... My primary interest to date has been lunar photography as it is somthing I can do without a scope hence I am hanging out for the full moons.

You chaps on the other hand are sweating on a new moon. I will get to see how the other half lives. May see you there on Saturday.

What is the general best practice. Rolling up before sun set... no head lights in the car park?? Do not want to get off side before I start!!!

Cheers

Rainsey

[cahullian]

Don't worry about the lights Rainsey as Mike (Iceman) drives around with high beam all the time, even during the day.

Gazz

[gmbfilter]

Bugger, can't it. Hope Geoffs and others have a good night

[iceman]

lol Gazz! :)

Is anyone from Newcastle area coming down? H0ughy has something that I'd love to borrow (GPUSB adapter) - was hoping someone could pick it up from him and bring it down?

Gazz, Richard or anyone else from Newcastle area?

[Rodstar]

I am planning to set up a little earlier than usual, maybe as early as 6pm if the Pony Club is unlocked by then, so that I can get the mirror cooling early.

How early will the gates be open Mr Wise Owl?

[GTB_an_Owl]

any time you want to go get the key Rod :whistle:

at this stage of my plans i would be looking at anywhere between 6 and 7pm for me to get there Rod

maybe geoffro has plans of getting there earlier ?

geoff

[Rodstar]

Geoff, I would prefer to have someone around when I unload the Mary Rose, so I might come a little later, then, to make sure I have someone to help. 7pm is OK.

(Now that was a handy excuse, wasn't it ;))

[cahullian]

I will be there Mike. I can up pick whatever you want. Just Give Dave a call and let him Know I will be by about 6pm tomorrow.
I have never been to the pony club. Is it easy to find?

Gazz

[iceman]

Not to worry Gazz, I got mine working again.

Read the thread for the instructions - very easy to find.

Look forward to catching up!

I'll be bringing my friend Derek again.

[GTB_an_Owl]

just follow the crowd shouting "where are the Hedgehogs" Gazz

we do have a room out the back (and running water for the clean-up) for the preparation of the little beasties Gazz

there is a map somewhere here

geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

i expect nothing less from our resident Lawyer Rod :lol:

geoff

[Inmykombi]

___________________________________ _______________________________

I am almost convinced these Hedgehogs are a Local Myth.

I am expecting to see a Tasmanian Tiger or a Panther on the Mountain before I see one of these Hedgehogs.

[Deeno]

Charging batteries as I type.
Planning to pack the car in the morning to be there well before dark, as soon as we lose cricket.........

Can provide muscle for extended views through 20" dob:whistle:

Deeno

[GTB_an_Owl]

don't forget to go to the cigar shop between overs Deeno - drinks or whatever

and now Geoffro - if we can get you over your fear of these "harmless" little hedgehogs - you will have no trouble with the dogs over the road when you are closing the gates when we leave :whistle:

geoff

[Inmykombi]

I have no desire to repeat the experience that I had last time I visited the Mountain....when locking up....:scared:

My foot will be firmly planted on the accelerator to make sure I am gone before those "Hounds" come out of the dark again.

[Inmykombi]

According to the weather checks on a few sites. The night is shaping up to be a beauty.:thumbsup:

I should be there around 7 pm.

UPDATE>>>> why oh why are clouds appearing.... I remain hopeful.

Geoffro.

[GTB_an_Owl]

it will be a clear nite

trust me!

roll call please ladies and gentlemen - who is planning on coming ?

(so that geoffro knows how much coffee to grind :whistle: )

geoff

[Arthur Alchin]

I should be there early to set up, hopefully the weather will hold out, will bring the mySky again for some fun.

Arthur

[koputai]

I'm hoping to get there before dark.

Cheers,
Jason.

[Sue Lang]

Hi all,

Re roll call: I'm hoping to be there but the clouds are a little ominous! They seem to be getting caught up on Mangrove Mountain. Mostly clear here.

Cheers Sue

[Inmykombi]

Coffee is already freshly ground and ready, sitting next to the drip filter machine.

All other bits and pieces are at the ready for the trip.

I'll be there about 7 pm....

Geoffro

[cahullian]

I should be there about 7 pm Geoff.

Gazz

[wavelandscott]

I will try and be there by 7 pm weather permitting...

[GTB_an_Owl]

nearly ready to depart - 4-45pm

should be there by about 6pm after i pick up the key

geoff

[jakob]

Ditto!
:)

[Deeno]

Just arrived home.
Planning to be there around 6.30ish

[Inmykombi]

Just the car to pack and I am on my way.

mmmmmmmmmm, I can taste them chicken wings already Deeno....

[Deeno]

Sorry, wasn't a home game of cricket....no chicken wings

[iceman]

I'll be there around 7:45pm. It will clear!

[Inmykombi]

Theres still time to cook-em....:whistle:

[noelo]

yep I'll be there around 20:00

[Rodstar]

7pm for me. See you all then!

[noelo]

What a great night, some of the best views I've ever seen :eyepop: and finally the hedgehog mystery has been revealed.

On a more practical note, now that most of my gear has been soaked due to the heavy dew can anybody suggest how best to dry it out...

I'm already looking forward to next month...

regards
Noel

[Satchmo]

A great night topped off with Geoffs filter coffee. :)

The sky was quite good with a fair bit of dew later in the night.

I left about 4am, with my only instrumentation , a pair of 10 X 42 Roof prism binocs thoroughly dewed.

Special thanks to Rod for the time to test the Denkmeir binoviewer in Mary Rose ( hope you found it interesting !) and Joe for sharing the binoviewer and his 10" SCT for a thorough workout over a number of hours. This had been something I'd been looking forward to for a long time. See my Denk mini-review up soon.

The other piece of gear to blow me away was the 13mm Ethos in the 20" particularly with the Paracor which produced tiny needle like pin point stars right to the very edge. I found with my body in a half step position on a ladder it not so easy to hold head centred on the view, and perhaps the large field a little confronting when my legs were wavering ..perhaps I would enjoy the sensation of 'falling into the view' more if my feet were firmly on the ground.

Finally had a look through the rubber armoured 15 X 70 `Ultra' binoculars that are in the shops for $400 or so. Wow, speechless at their quality, and light transmission , though they really do need a good tripod though as they are pretty weighty.

[Inmykombi]

Another really enjoyable night.

And yes, Hedgehogs a plenty, for those who were willing to attend the initiation ceremony. Those who didnt attend, will have to wait until they next appear out from the darkness.

The time went so fast for me, I can barely believe I spent all night up on the Mountain from Sun down, to almost Sun up.

Lots to see, some for the first time, like a few Leo Galaxies through NOELO's MEADE.
To see three Galaxies in the one field of view was beautiful.
Also saw the Ghost of Jupiter as well as the Eskimo Neb for the first time.

Driving home when it was starting to become light was a first for me from the Mountain. And it wont be the last I am sure.
It was nice to see Venus and Mercury pointing the way home for me.

This morning, I spent about 1.5 hrs drying all my gear after the horrendous Dew.

At one stage during the night, my scope was dripping onto the Tarp underneath it, and I was dreading putting it all away for the drive home.
All is OK though after a thorough wipe and being left to dry in ambient air.

Cheers till next time.

Geoffro.

[wavelandscott]

It was an enjoyable night and great to get out under night skies again!

As usual, it was good to catch up with the people in attendance.

Yes, it was "dewey"...and of course, I forgot the cable that runs from my power source to my dew heater...I found it this morning laying by the door (so I would not forget it).

I got a chance to finally use my Paracorr and yes, it does make a difference even at f5...I tried it with all my eyepieces (Pentax XW, Nagler, Panoptic) and it showed some "seeable" improvement in all of them. I am now "converted" and I believe it will stay in as part of the standard set-up from this point forward.

I was also pleased with my hanging weight to counterbalance the Paracorr...seemed to do the trick.

I am almost ready SPSP!

This was my first trip to the Pony Club...last time up the mountain it was still over at Paint Ball...

In summary, I think I like Pony Club location better although it is not as dark as Paint Ball...the horizon is better and the general "feel" of the place is more inviting...

Anyway, I was glad to be there...:thumbsup:

[bkm2304]

Sounds like a great night. I couldn't make it in the end so missed a dark night.

Hopefully next time
:hi:
Richard

[Rainsey]

Folks,

A big thanks to all that attended last night and took time out to show me their gear and explain to a rank novice how it all works. It was an absoute eye opener (no pun intended) and look forward to future nights up at Mangrove.

Cheers
Graham

[GTB_an_Owl]

YEP - top nite i reckon
(apart from the dew - which caught us all a bit off guard)

i can't remember when we have had so many turn up

a big thanks to Gazz for coming and carrying out the Hedgehog ritual for those uninitiated souls amongst us - the first one we have held at the pony club

conditions deteriorated around 4am but a few of us still got a look at jupiter and venus before we left around 5-30am
(sorry RB - we couldn't wait for you any longer)


geoff

[iceman]

Was a beautiful clear night, excellent conditions apart from the dew.

Excellent company, great hedgehogs and a top night out.

We missed you RB, hope to see you soon. I got home a bit after 3am and it was cloudy at home. The mountain has its ways!

Look forward to next time, probably the month after SPSP.

[RB]

Glad to hear you all had a great night.
I could almost hear the chatter & oohhs and ahhhs from my place.

Unfortunately an unexpected family matter meant that I couldn't attend last night.

Looking forward to next time.

:)

[Rodstar]

Miss you we did, RB!

Yes, I had a great night too, we have been very lucky of late with the weather!

It was interesting to play with the Denk binoviewers in the Mary Rose. The three dimensionality of the view is quite impressive, although it was also very notable just how dull the star field ends up looking, when compared with monocular vision. On balance, I prefer the monocular view, but I could certainly enjoy a bino view from time to time for a change!

Thanks everyone for some fine company. I wish I had a bit more stayability. I just find that my puff runs about by about 1.30am, and the call of my comfy bed becomes overwhelming!

See you all next time. I will be going to SPSP, so the next for me that will be May.

[koputai]

Yep, a great night, and so many people!
Thanks to Rod for the views through the big beastie, I was totally impressed by the amount of light that thing grabs. I was also highly suprised by the Ethos, it's just so comfortable and easy on the eye. I expected it to have the traits of the Naglers only a bit worse, but it was just so nice.

Cheers,
Jason.

[Rick Petrie]

Hi to all
Sorry I missed what sounds like another great night on the mount, however I did get out with a bunch of visiting outlaws here at home and showed them all a few of the prime views. Everyone was awestruck by Saturn when it got high overhead about 11.30. (new mirror was performing beautifully and we seemed to have missed the dew here)
Geoffro did you get to meet some of the local hedgehogs, or did they escape you again? It sounds like they were a bit juiced up by the dew!!:rolleyes:
Looking forward to SPSP next month and have got the caravan primed up and ready to go.:)
Cheers Rick.

[Inmykombi]

Hi Rick,
You did miss a good night, but at least you got your scope out for a while.

With regard to the Hedgehogs, I have now been sworn to secrecy after the initiation ceremony on Saturday night at midnight.
So unfortunately I cannot divulge any more information....:D

See ya soon.

Geoffro

[Deeno]

Yep - a top night!

Great to see a good turnup. A few months of dodgy weather seems to make everyone just a little keen.......
Missed you RB, a stogie just isn't the same

[GTB_an_Owl]

GEEEEZ Deeno !

took you a long time to get out of bed :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :whistle:

geoff

[Deeno]

Grabed a refreshing 2 hours sleep before a social day with the cricket club and it's been a long week....

[cahullian]

Great night for me but not too great for the Hedgehogs... I think we slaughtered about a dozen and a half of the the little buggers.
Super to meet up with the oldies (not in years...well maybe or a few) and a few newbees.
Looking forward to the slaughter next month...

Gazz

[Inmykombi]

Also great to meet you to gaz.
And to finally track down down a famous hedgehog .......(actually two):whistle:


From Geoffro....................certifie d newbee to the group on the Mountain....

[RB]

Yeah mate I missed you guys too.
We'll have to make up for it next time though. ;)

BTW I've registered for SPSP, are you coming ?

Looking forward to catching up with everyone there, if all goes well.

:)

[Inmykombi]

Hi Andrew,

I have registered for the SPSP and will be there as early as possible on the Friday to get a good spot.:D

Hope to see ya there and hopefullyalso loads of others from IIS.

Geoffro.

[GTB_an_Owl]

should we hire a BUS or a TRUCK to get us all there

:P :whistle: :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl ::rofl::rofl::thumbsup:

do you think it will be cold ? :whistle: ;) :P

and how you gunna get all them chickens in the back of your car RB

geoff

[Inmykombi]

:bowdown:

If you say it will be cold......then we believe you Geoff.
As long as the dew leaves us alone....

You may even get some interest in a suit or two.:whistle:

Geoffro