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Inmykombi
19-04-2008, 08:18 PM
Its almost time for the Pony Club again.
Looking at the New Moon date, Maybe Saturday the 3rd May will be OK.

I cant make it the weekend after that due to Mandatory rest ( Doctors orders )
So I am hoping we can all get together again on the above date.

I should have some new toys to play with by then as well :D

How does this date fit in with everyone ?


Cheers

Rodstar
19-04-2008, 09:34 PM
Hi Geoff! I should be able to make it on the 3rd. I note that Mike Salway's birthday is on the 2nd, so I might just have to bring a chocolate cake!

GTB_an_Owl
19-04-2008, 10:06 PM
i'm in

geoff

koputai
19-04-2008, 10:53 PM
Sounds good to me.

Cheers,
Jason.

Inmykombi
19-04-2008, 11:16 PM
Hi Rod and everyone, Sounds great. I hope Mike can make it there.

Maybe a bottle of Bubbly may be in order as well.

See ya soon.

iceman
20-04-2008, 06:41 AM
My birthday is in February! Not 2nd May!??

I'll be there on the 3rd May!

Rodstar
20-04-2008, 08:17 AM
Bugger, I stuffed that one up, Mike. Is it the 5th of Feb? I'll have to change my calendar!

iceman
20-04-2008, 08:35 AM
Yeh 5th Feb!

gmbfilter
20-04-2008, 09:11 AM
Please dad can we have chocolate cake and bubbly anyway. Promise to share.

RB
20-04-2008, 09:40 AM
3rd May sounds good.
Hope I can make it.

:rolleyes:

Rodstar
20-04-2008, 10:48 AM
I must be suffering dyslexia!:doh:

I will bring some cake anyway.....it has got to be someone's birthday....:lol:

Inmykombi
20-04-2008, 10:55 AM
Hi Geoff, I'll see what I can do......

Inmykombi
20-04-2008, 10:57 AM
My Youngest Son's birthday is on the 6th of May......That'll do....;)

iceman
20-04-2008, 01:11 PM
My daughter Abbey's is on the 8th May and Jacob's is 28th April, so we can celebrate those :)

GTB_an_Owl
20-04-2008, 01:41 PM
it is enough to just celebrate "being there on the nite" is it not ?

geoff

Inmykombi
20-04-2008, 03:41 PM
One thing I have learnt is never to doubt the wise OWL.

Hi Geoff.

Dont forget to bring me a replacement balaclava please.:D An open face one would be great.

I will fix you up with the difference on the night.

Inmykombi
20-04-2008, 03:53 PM
Look forward to seeing you there Andrew.

Dont forget, if you need help to set up or lift that 12 incher. I can eat extra weet-bix in the morning before the lift....

GTB_an_Owl
20-04-2008, 04:10 PM
he is gunna keep on, and on, and on, and on, and on, and on at you till you do RB - you realise that don't you !

geoff

Inmykombi
20-04-2008, 04:29 PM
You betcha......;)

David
21-04-2008, 12:00 AM
I should be able to make it for chocolate cake, that should do the heart some good!

Rick Petrie
21-04-2008, 06:22 AM
In Florida at the moment but will definately be there guys. Can't wait to give new Argo a spin or two. The weather better be as good as it is here at the moment.Won't it Geoff the hooter??????;)
Cheers all Rick:thumbsup:

amoeba
21-04-2008, 09:38 AM
Hi Guys,

First timer interested in coming along, is there a usual time, place, etc, etc?

Many thanks,

Mick

iceman
21-04-2008, 09:57 AM
Hi Mick

We'll be at the Mangrove Mountain Pony Club - there's a sticky thread with directions, in this star parties forum.

As for time, now that daylight savings has finished, it's gonna be earlier for most people than last time. If it's your first time, i'd probably try and get there before dark.

Cheers

cahullian
21-04-2008, 10:54 AM
Sounds good people. I'm starting the Hedgehod safari soon (have found a new gathering place) so I hope to give you boyos a nice treat next month.

Mike about this Birthday thing: you could have a Public celebrated one like the Queen does and the real one celebrated by your close friends and family.

Gazz

Inmykombi
22-04-2008, 08:38 PM
Sounds like a good few takers...

Coffee will be "on the table" as usual.

Deeno
25-04-2008, 12:49 PM
Cake?
Bubbly?
Hedgehogs?
Might bring some red cordial and party hats!

Might not be able to bring the scope due to a minor accident that has my left hand out of action, hopefully be OK by then.
If not, I intend to be particularly annoying bludging peeks through everyone scopes.(ie.Rod)

Deeno

Inmykombi
25-04-2008, 01:34 PM
You are always welcome to look through my scope Deeno.

Hope the hand gets better. And I hope it wasnt your drinking hand.

Rodstar
26-04-2008, 06:03 PM
Deeno, there will be no bludging allowed....you will at the very least be required to ramble off some NGC references for us to hunt down...

bones
28-04-2008, 01:32 PM
Rick told me you guys were meeting up there this weekend. I was hoping to see you all up there this weekend and say g'day. It would have been a first for me. Unfortunately my wife's needing to be in Newcastle so I'm on duty with the kids. Maybe next time in June? Hope the weathers good and the seeing clear.

Rick Petrie
29-04-2008, 05:01 PM
Deeno if you can't bring your scope maybe (in between peeking through Rod's) you might be able to help me finely tune my AN!!!! Whilst sucking on a cigar with your gammy other hand.:whistle:
and Geoff if I could be so presumptuous IT WILL BE FINE on Saturday!!!!
(sorry I cheated by looking at the forecast and it looks very promising) ;)
Cheers Rick

iceman
29-04-2008, 05:03 PM
Forecast does look good! Looking forward to it.

I'll hopefully be bringing a friend or two from Karate as well. Derek, who has been a couple of times before, is hoping to come back up.

koputai
29-04-2008, 05:40 PM
My wife is threatening to come with me this time. Is that sort of thing allowed?:D

Cheers,
Jason.

ausastronomer
29-04-2008, 06:13 PM
Yes wives are allowed, provided they are broadminded and don't mind a few profanities from time to time. Especially allowed if they bake a chocolate cake :)

I will be there this month and I think Andrew Murrell is coming as well. I think between Andrew and I we will have either an 18" Obsession with Argo and Servocat or the 25" Obsession with all the bells and whistles.

Cheers,
John B

PS: My wife just told me a few profanities is an understatement. She said I swear a lot :)

Rodstar
29-04-2008, 06:53 PM
Jason, we will treat her like royalty....I might just have to moderate my mid-evening rear expulsions to raise the tone a bit, though. :windy:

koputai
29-04-2008, 07:36 PM
Moderate, or modulate, doesn't worry me.
It's a horse paddock dear, it's meant to smell like that.

Cheers,
Jason.

GTB_an_Owl
29-04-2008, 07:56 PM
dare i say ! - the forecast does look good for Sat nite

geoff

gmbfilter
30-04-2008, 07:31 AM
Might be cold! Struggled into freezer suit Monday night, a bit tight!!! Geoff, you never said they would shrink just sitting around eating chocolate cake and drinking Turkey

iceman
30-04-2008, 08:05 AM
Should be a good night.. My friend Derek has confirmed he'll be there.. looks like we'll have quite a turnout.

The new boots are doing a great job, Geoff. Toasty warm.

ausastronomer
30-04-2008, 12:51 PM
I just spoke to Andrew and we are going to "LUG" the 25" Obsession out there.

Cheers,
John B

cahullian
30-04-2008, 01:33 PM
I had better get on with catching those pesky Hedgehogs then.

Gazz

Sue Lang
30-04-2008, 03:04 PM
Hi all, looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday night. What is the earliest time the gate will be open?

Cheers
Sue

GTB_an_Owl
30-04-2008, 04:22 PM
reminds me - i better let them know we want the key

i guess about 5-30 or 6pm Sue

geoff

Inmykombi
30-04-2008, 08:36 PM
Hi Geoff,

Just a reminder to bring an open face balaclava for me.

Thx.

Coffee will again be ground fresh, just before the trip up the Mountain.

And Hi Sue,
Your dew heaters will be making the trip also.

Geoffro

Deeno
30-04-2008, 10:47 PM
Forcast looking promising!!
Looking forward to catching up and some hot freshly ground coffee.......

Deeno

ausastronomer
30-04-2008, 10:50 PM
I am looking forward to a dose of Gaz's hedgehogs. BTW Gaz, the physical effort involved in lugging that 25" monster out there for one nights observing, is worth a double dose of hedgehogs :)

Cheers,
John B

wavelandscott
01-05-2008, 09:51 AM
Sounds like it will be a big crowd. I don't think I will make it as I have been home all week with the flu. Starting to feel better today but I don't think the powers that be will give me permission to attend.

Enjoy All!

GTB_an_Owl
02-05-2008, 02:03 PM
roll call please people

Gazz has to know how many hedgehogs to catch

key is organised - i guess i better aim to get there about 5 ish before it gets too dark

geoff

iceman
02-05-2008, 02:41 PM
Me + 2 friends!

koputai
02-05-2008, 03:07 PM
Me, and prolly the missus.

Jason.

Rick Petrie
02-05-2008, 05:45 PM
Me + 1 Interested friend.:thumbsup:

Rodstar
02-05-2008, 07:03 PM
Me+The Mary Rose

Deeno
02-05-2008, 07:56 PM
Me, myself and I.
Plus scope, even though they wouldn't take the stitches out today.
Damnit!!!!!

norm
02-05-2008, 09:06 PM
Count me in too + a mate :thumbsup: (he's got the GPS)!!!:lol:

ausastronomer
03-05-2008, 12:54 AM
Myself and Andrew Murrell are definites and possibly Gary Kopff

Remember Gaz! Double hedgehogs for me :)

Cheers,
John B

Inmykombi
03-05-2008, 09:20 AM
On my own again.
I should say theres my family coming so I can catch extra Hedgehogs.;)

However Rick Petrie and one of his mates is coming as well.

Coffee will be ground ready as well.mmmmmmmmm.

See y'all there.

iceman
03-05-2008, 09:22 AM
Geoff i'll try and remember to bring some shirts! (if i've got any of that size left)

Inmykombi
03-05-2008, 10:36 AM
I'll give you some help to set up if you need it Deeno.
In exchange for a squiz thru the Dob that is....:whistle:

GTB_an_Owl
03-05-2008, 11:04 AM
don't you just love it Deeno !

Geoff wants to SEE things the RIGHT way up for a change :lol:

geoff

ausastronomer
03-05-2008, 11:42 AM
Mike,

Can you bring the 3 IISAC 2007 Comet McNaught ones I paid for in early Feb 2007 and haven't received yet?

Cheers,
John B

RB
03-05-2008, 12:01 PM
Not sure if I'll be there tonight guys, I'll know either way later this arvo.

:(

Inmykombi
03-05-2008, 12:47 PM
You have it all wrong Geoff.

Its just that I dont mind seeing things upside down and back to front in the Dobs.
I can tollerate it for a short time, but I get nausious after a while.

Besides that, I pine for that "whirring sound" aahhhhhhhhhhhhh..


Hope to see ya there RB.

Deeno
03-05-2008, 01:58 PM
How do you get by with your reflection in the bathroom mirror?:scared:

Rick Petrie
03-05-2008, 03:23 PM
Are you sure Geoff it's not all that spinning and whirring that gives you nausea?????:P You can hob dob with us anytime you like though!!:rolleyes:

wavelandscott
03-05-2008, 04:17 PM
I will not be able to join in the fun tonight...hope everyone has a clear enjoyable night!

Inmykombi
04-05-2008, 11:26 AM
I have a permanently mounted diagonal to look through which was necessary after many shaving cuts on my forehead.:eyepop:

Deeno
04-05-2008, 01:41 PM
:lol::rofl::lol2:

GTB_an_Owl
04-05-2008, 02:23 PM
none of you lot awake yet ?

WHAT A GREAT NITE !

terrific roll up - hope the new comers enjoyed their evening - and turn up again next month

thanks to Andrew and John for bringing the 25" along

the CAT died - but we managed to find a couple of "field mice" to help put her in the sky where we wanted her to go

had to use the mice cause Gazz didn't turn up with any Hedgehogs - oh well.

the Mary Rose got her fair share of lookers during the nite - and good looks they were too - thanks Rod

"Cuban Corner" was lit up after midnite and wofted fragrantly over the field

Geoffs coffee pot attracted a few too many takers - didn't leave much for me ! - had to resort to the "red box" brand - have to get in earlier next time

dew caused a bit of havoc late in the nite - so bring the hair dryers next month (or contact that bloke that has all those spare resistors :lol: - private joke folks, sorry)

Deeno, as well as finding the COMET for Mike that he wanted to image, predicted meteor showers for the after midnite brigade.

quite a few kept us looking to the heavens till around 5am when Deeno's camera ran out of puff and we decided it was time to lock the gates and go home

oh! - and the muffins were top notch Rod - ta

geoff

iceman
04-05-2008, 02:25 PM
What a great night last night! The conditions were very good. Transparency was slightly down for the location, but seeing was quite steady.

Quite a turnout, there must've been about 20 people there , maye even 25.

I was determined to image Comet Boattini, but it was just one of those nights where drift aligning took ages, and finding the comet itself took even longer.. I couldn't see it in the finderscope, and there was nothing recognisable near it to help me with star hopping. Anyway I eventually found it and rattled off an imaging run - hopefully it'll turn out ok :)

I then did some piggyback widefield with the Canon350D and the 50mm f/1.8 on the Antares/Rho Ophiucus region until I was too tired to go on (about 3am). By the time I packed up and got home and crawled into bed, it was 4am. My wife wasn't too happy as she knows I'll be tired today :)

Got some lovely views of Jupiter through Rod's, Joe's and Deeno's scopes. The best views were had through Joe's 10" RCX with his binoviewer. Just lovely seeing Io's dark shadow crawling across the disc.

Andrew Murrell had his 3RF 25" scope there, but unfortunately he had problems with the power to the servocat. But they eventually got it disengaged to do some manual push-to viewing. I had a look at Centaurus A when it was near zenith, and man it was a long hike up and down the ladder :)

Was a very dewey night, and got quite cold (about 4.8deg) when I packed up.

But the company was, as always, exceptional. Had a great time with everyone, and hopefully the many newbies that came along had a great time too.

See you all again in June!

Inmykombi
04-05-2008, 03:13 PM
Thanks to evryone for the great company last night.

The sky was really steady when the temperature dropped, which made for some nice views of old favourites.
The Ring Nebula in Lyra was lovely as I have not seen it for many years.
Jupiter was well worth the wait until it rose higher in the sky.
Some beautiful cloud detail was seen by all who viewed it.
And this was my first full shadow tranist from start to finish which was just lovely to see, and after the shadow, just to see IO itself creep out from the outer disc of the Planet was also worth the wait. Being my first, I was very surprised at the speed of the Transit.

The dew was only just kept at bay by my heaters, but My trusty SCT still managed to make it to about a 3.30am pack away.

A few Meteors were seen here and there but they were fast little buggers and some were a little on the dim side, but still worth the wait.

I will be back for more cold wet feet, dripping dew, and maybe some of these elusive Hedgehogs next Month....

See you all then


Geoffro.

Deeno
04-05-2008, 03:21 PM
Ditto to all of the above.

Great to see such a good turnout of scopes on such a clear if not damp wintry evening.

The views through the dueling large aperture dobs :fight: are nothing short of incredible so, thanks Rod, Andrew and John..

My 10" dob cast a lonely figure most of the night while I enjoyed checking out everyone else gear. Saturn through Joe’s bino's being some of the best views of the ringed planet I've experienced.

The Smokers Lounge was well occupied thanks to the stogies provided by Rick from a recent trip Stateside. Cheers mate:cheers:

As the evening dwindled into the wee hours of am, the eta-Aquarids threatened to fire up with an increase of meteors, that was until RB had me motivated to get the camera out and not a single shooting star was captured in several attempts as the attached photo demostrates!

A night filled with camaraderie and good natured humor (Did I mention to anyone I directed Mike toward his lost comet?:whistle:)

Thanks to all and looking forward to next month.

Deeno

RB
04-05-2008, 04:06 PM
Wow what a great night indeed.
I'm glad I made it in the end and enjoyed the views through all the scopes.
Great to see JohnB and Andrew as well as Garry.
Always a pleasure to look through The Mary Rose and through Joe's Bino-viewers, which make you feel like you're falling into the EP's.

Just such a great atmosphere with everyone so willing to share their scope time and have a good ol' chat.

Always enjoy a nice cigar with the boys and thank you to Geoff (inmycombie) for shouting me a nice Cuban.

Also enjoyed motivating Deeno into taking some long exposures to try and catch the eta-Aquarids, funny though they always appeared when we were taking the dark frames :sadeyes:
Very nice photo non-the-less mate. :thumbsup:

Also a big thanks again to Geoff (Owl) for organising the pony club facility, putting the red buckets on the neighbour's garden lights and ordering the perfect weather.

Looking forward to next month once again.

bones
04-05-2008, 07:04 PM
As some of you found out, I made it there afterall before 8pm. Overall I had a great night and enjoyed it (until I left for home about 11:30pm). Apart from the dew and the touch of winter in the temp, I thought the seeing conditions were pretty good - sure beat the light pollution I get at home near the Mingara. Rick it was good to catch up with you again. How did Doug find the night overall? Rod thanks for the muffin, and a big thanks to all who let me have a view through their scopes :thumbsup:. I hope to see you all up there next time and beyond.

cahullian
04-05-2008, 07:58 PM
Sounds like I missed a great night. I traded my car in so my daughter could get herself some new wheels and therefore made myself carless. Maybe next month if I have wheels.

Gazz

Rick Petrie
04-05-2008, 08:13 PM
Probably the best night I have had as far as the exceptional goodwill and generosity showed by everyone and the quality seeing conditions for most of the night. Jupiter was worth the wait to view the transit of Io and crisp views of the surface detail. Argo navis performed well but still have some small adjustments to make.
Great to catch up Tony and looking forward to checking some peeks through your scope next time. I think Doug enjoyed himself immensely as it was all very new to him.:welcome: I'm sure he will come again and maybe he could be a contender for a new scope down the track.
Thanks to all for the views through their scopes again.
Cheers

Inmykombi
04-05-2008, 08:59 PM
I almost forgot to thank Greg I think it was, who loaned me a brand new Tarpaulin to keep my tripod off the grass and away from the moisture.

Greg, I hope I got the name correct, I have a bad memory for names.:doh:

I shall return it next trip up the Mountain.



Oh and Deeno,
I dropped the contrast and adjusted the brightness and colour etc. on your time exposure, and found that you have both captured another Comet ( Comet 2008 D1. Cuban ) and indeed a few good meteor trails as expected.:whistle:

Rick Petrie
05-05-2008, 09:11 AM
Geoff
Probably with a little more adjustment to the contrast and brightness etc. you may have been able to bring out the deep red glow around the coma of the comet and capture the magnificent dust trails (or is it smoke trails).:shrug:
But what would I know?????
The meteor showers though could do with a little more twitching -don't you think Deeno?:whistle:
Very ingenious though Geoff. Your imaging skills are impressive.;)

astropolak
05-05-2008, 10:37 AM
Thank you all.
It was a great night but what makes it really special is your company.

Rod, the 26 Nagler field lens was dripping wet when I inspected my eyepieces the next day, as it does not have contact with moisture in my SCT I will have the Mary Rose to blame for that....only joking - it just evaporated out with a help of a hair dryer...but it shows another minor advantage of SCT's - no dew of field lenses...:P

Special thanks for Andrew Murrell - the owner of the 25", great views trough your scope....and I got me a Miele dishwasher at a special price as well - this has been a great outing for me - how may times can you see a in a group of 20 people one person that manages a store that sells Miele and another who repairs it.

Love my Denk Binos ....- it is an off and on again affair.

Joe

Satchmo
05-05-2008, 12:16 PM
Sounds like a great night had by all ! I wanted to attend but had allready been up at Mangrove Mountain all that day flying and had to return to Berowra to feed my dogs and then the sofa nabbed me.

Looking forward to next time :)

Rodstar
06-05-2008, 08:43 AM
Thanks all for a great night of comradery under the stars.

Yes, Joe's binoviewer strutted its stuff again, with Saturn looking particularly outstanding.

Thanks Joe, also, for the Polish beer, and for the loan of your 26 Nagler. I am increasingly of the view that the 26 Nagler+Mary Rose combination is a marriage made in heaven. I think the slightly higher magnification and contrast vis-a-vis the 31 Nagler makes the 26 a better choice for me.

It was great to have a few new faces. Mike brought a karate mate James+ James' two kids. I gave them a sky tour, and it is fair to say that they were pretty excited by what they saw. As expected, Saturn and Omega Cent had the biggest impact, but they also enjoyed the Sombrero, the Tarantula, the Jewel Box, etc.

I encountered some frustrations because of the annoying yellow street light, and there was a lot of sky glow about, no doubt due to the moist conditions interplaying with the sky glow from Sydney. I was disappointed in my efforts to hunt down some galaxy clusters in Coma Berenices, as I could not get nearly as clear a sense of a multitude of galaxies as I did under the darker skies of Ilford. I think I will be heading to darker skies a bit more often now, having had a taste recently at SPSP of just what is possible when you get right away from the city lights.

It was the latest night ever for me....I crawled into bed at about 1/4 to 4. And my lovely wife needed me to get up to unload the car so she could use it at 7am Sunday morning......guess who was utterly sleep deprived on Sunday!

I will be in Coonabarabran in June, but I hope those who do make the Pony Club next time have a great night.

PhilW
06-05-2008, 10:34 AM
Interesting observation Rod; I have found the exact same thing with my scope (14" F/4.6). The 26mm T5 seems to work extraordinarily well in it. I think it is partly because it is producing about the maximum useable exit pupil for me (5.6mm).

I considered the Pentax XW 30 as an alternative, but I suspect the resulting exit pupil is slightly too large with the 14" (6.5mm). It too is a wonderful eyepiece in the right scope though.

Phil

wavelandscott
06-05-2008, 12:58 PM
While in no means an expert, I much prefer the 26 T5 over the 31 mm Terminagler...I have had an opportunity to try both on a few occassions in a couple of different scopes...While I am not sure exactly why, I've preferred the views from the 26 T5 myself.

Although I don't own either of these two eyepieces I do own the 16 mm T5 Nagler which I do enjoy although some find its eye relief tight.

Rodstar
06-05-2008, 08:09 PM
John Bambury mentioned the 30 Pentax XW as well...if someone has this at Lostock, I might borrow it for an hour to see how it performs by comparison with the 26 and 31 Naglers. It is nice to have a choice between these three spectacular eyepieces!