NSW Northern Rivers 2008

[CoombellKid]

NGC 1532 in that image is an interesting looking galaxy, almost like two
sandwiched together. Are they interacting with each other 1531 & 5132?
perhaps NGC 1532 has stripped NGC 1531 of it's dust disc.

regards,CS

[glenc]

Seems like an interaction, see:
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap050301.html
http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/image/0503/ngc1532_gemini_big.jpg

[CoombellKid]

Lovely image of the pair. On another note, today I'm putting together a list
of Arp Peculiar Galaxies for the AN tonight. Apart from the odd 17 & 16
magnitude targets, most should be doable in the 16", SN has 200 listed but
I notice on a google search there are more 338 or something. Anyways it
could a nice challenge for this summer, to see how many I can nab.

regards,CS

[Shnoz]

Thanks for the invite, even though I didn't get to RSVP. (Internet mishaps:screwy:). I'm going to be away for the next couple of weeks on vacation:D, but I'd still like to join you's when I get back, if that's cool?

[CoombellKid]

Hey Glen,

I was all set for another good night at the EP, boy's were asleep at 6:30pm
for a change!!! Waaaahoooooo.....

Clouds rolled in at 7:00pm :rolleyes: I hung out until 9:30pm and then packed up.
It started raining out here about 10min after that, I'm glad I got it all inside
in time. But I suppose we got a good run while it lasted.

regards,CS

[glenc]

We will get some more viewing later this week, after the moon sets.

[CoombellKid]

Yup! I've been keeping an eye on BOM, and I'm going to be kidless for a
week from Friday : ) I wont mind too much of a lil moonage either. When I
was setting up the truss poles and getting them to the right length I did
manage a quick look at the luna surface and I'm sure I was seeing lava
tubes.

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

Graham,

Re: H-Beta filter

I happen to be researching Arp galaxies yesterday and was reading some
info in Uranometria on another topic planetary neb's. Looking for that BH
designation that was listed on the AN the other night, we couldn't figure
out who it belonged to while we were looking at bright neb's. Anyways
they mentioned an object called Campbell's Hydrogen Star in Cygnus which
is best view with a H-beta filter. It's a bright star but once a H-Beta is used
the planetary reveals itself, it was on the list for last night... but....
well... read post #255.

Anyways on BH the only thing that comes close is and perhaps the AN has
shorten it is vdBH van den Berg, S & W Herbst Catalogue of Southern Stars
Embedded in Neblousity.

Regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

Well it has cleared up quite nicely out here, except for the 110knt jet stream
overhead. So for going any telescopic observations. I've setup the 20x80's
on the parra for a change, they haven't been out in awhile. I've printed off
a chart from TUBA which will give you a list of binocular objects down
to mag 11. And set the trampoline up for the Scorpious region.

regards,CS

[GrahamL]

yes that was the one .. not that I can ever see that bit of sky well from home ..I did read also that some of the better known big guns can
show a little more in this line around the fringes ?.. I'd say maybe on looking .. but I really don't know if thats much more than wishfull thinking.

Cant find a home for a glass disk yet ? ..got a pic ... as you have me worried still !! :lol:

[CoombellKid]

ummmm errr yes I will once I find it again. It was sitting on my printer
before I was to safely put it in my EP box. I think little fingers might
of liked it, unfortunately 2yr olds aren't great for telling what they might
of done with it. I'll keep looking and post a picture of it when I find it.
It was a flat piece of round glass about 2mm thick. I know it wasn't there
before you got there as I had run the mower over the area the previous
day and it would of been smashed for sure.

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

Glen,

Did you get out this morning, looked awesome out there about 4am

regards,CS

[glenc]

Used the 20x80s for an hour or so.
Cut my thumb last Tue so have to take care.

[CoombellKid]

ouch! I hope it wasn't too bad.

I'm definitely setting up for tonight. I'm remaking the stalk for the AN
today, dont know if you notice it is a lil springy.

I'll be keenly watching the performance of Palin in todays VP debate too.
I think we're all going to need help if she ends up VP.

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

Well I have to say it's look the best for a long while out here. Zero jet-stream
no fires means no smoke (ban must be in place)

At sunset today 5:50pm Comet C2008 A1 McNaught will be 20 armins off
the Moons northern pole. With the moon still a slim cresent this could be
an interesting observation. But also with more of the southern pole covered
in darkness than the north and also the southern pole being mostly cratered
it is a good opertunity to observe stars grazing the southern polar limb, you
can watch them flicker on and off as they caress the mountain tops, quite a
view if you haven't already obseved occultations. There is no dimming of stars
like planetary luna occultations it's On then Off. So on mountain ranges that
are in darkness on the moon they appear to flicker as they travel the peaks
and valley's.

I'll be interested to hear your results and if you nabbed C2008 A1 McNaught

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

Had a big night last night. I wasn't able to nab Comet C2008 A1 McNaught
with the moon being just a lil to bright in either the 16" or the 20x80's.
Obsevered one occultation but it wasn't a grazing. I decided to have a
nap at 8pm and set the alarm clock for 9:45pm. I then went right through
till dawn finishing around 5am. The seeing started out not very nice 6/10 but
got better through the night. There was a bit of wind around which settled
around midnight. I didn't need to turn the dew heaters on until about 1:30am
this morning.

I must of observed well over 100 objects doing various tours on the AN.
One tour in particular that went forever and I didn't finish was a tour
of nebula in LMC. Quite surprising how many lil nebs around the
Tarantula, some of which you would of thought were apart of it. But the
stand outs for the night were the Rossetta neb although quite faint
unfiltered but came alive with an OIII. The other was Thor's Helmet looking
rather spectacular with an OIII. Orion neb was another Wow! no filter
needed there and I did try for the Horsehead but the seeing made that
too hard and I was undecided whether I could see it or not.

Hopefully we'll have another shot tonight :) I'm off back to bed ;) these
over nighters really take it out of you once you hit 40 :lol:

regards,CS

[glenc]

You had a great night. I used the 12" from about 1 to 3am.

[CoombellKid]

Another good session out til dawn this morning. Got a half decent look at
Eta Carina neb with the OIII still fairly low in the sky, but I'm sure I was
detecting 2 Bok Globs in the area on the south side of Tr14 and towards
Tr16.

Btw, I'm looking for good references or catalogues for Bok Glob's anyone
know of a source? preferably online.

regards,CS

[glenc]

Google
Clemens & Barvainis 1988 ApJS 68, 257
http://simbad.u-strasbg.fr/simbad/sim-ref?querymethod=bib&simbo=on&submit=submit+bibcode&bibcode=1988ApJS...68..257C

[glenc]

Nice and clear here this morning, no dew, stars down to the horizon, I used the 12" from 1am to 5am. Looked at everything I could think of then got a map out and found some more DSO.

[glenc]

Is this what you saw Rob? ;)
Dust Mountains in the Carina Nebula
http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/

[glenc]

Have you seen: http://7timer.y234.cn/V3/product.php?language=en&product_id=1&country=AS&adm=AS02&site=551

[CoombellKid]

Yes, I have someone else posted it somewhere. I've tried it 3 or 4 times.
And couldn't access it on two occasions, is it any good?

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

Not quite like that :lol: thats an awesome image :eyepop:

regards,CS

[Lismore Bloke]

Hi guys, haven't done much lately. Family duties. Visited Sydney (don't know how people live there), Mudgee (great fruity powerful red varietals and good value too) and Melbourne. Just had a good session with the 12". Saw 7099, 6723, 6569, 6681, 6541, 362 (104's sometimes overlooked neighbour).
Best view was the complex region near corona australis:globular 6723, which seemed to form a neat triangle with what seemed to be 2 double stars, one appeared to be wreathed in nebulosity (turned out to be 6726). Wasn't sure whether it was the 3 glasses of red I had earlier or my eyesight, but the books showed that it was real enough. Very nice area and would be great in a dark sky.

Tried out the el-cheapo 32mm EP supplied with the 12". Quite a few on the forum have panned it, but it isn't bad at all. Yes, the 20% or so of the FOV near the edge is rubbish, but the rest of the field reveals very nice neat star images. Bit of a bargain. Cheers, Paul.

[glenc]

That was a good report Paul. Nice to hear from you.
Are you interested in coming to Tenterfield on 28/11?
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=36326
I have just been out observing with my 20x80s, it is a good night.

[Lismore Bloke]

Yes it was a good night. Nice clean transparent air, hardly any dew.
Scope dry as a bone after 3 hours.

Movement is getting a bit jittery as I move scope in azimuth. The base might need a spray with Mr Sheen or something similar. The main mirror might need some attention and collimating. Focus varies a bit as I move the thing around which might indicate that the mirror is not tight enough.

Will have to check with the wife about what's coming up.
Quite a bit happening for us between now and Christmas.

Cheers. Paul.

[CoombellKid]

Was out myself last night until about 12:30am this morning. It was a lovely
night out here. Great seeing... pitty I had work today or I would of been
out all night : ) had a shot at 2008ge in N1527 but no luck going to try
again over the weekend.

Paul,

I have a spare washer made of virgin teflon plus some spacers for an azi
pivot bolt. It might help with your azi action.

Regarding your mirror, what do you mean your mirror isn't tight enough?
If you hace clips that can be tightened down onto the mirror, you probably
should loosen them as this can cause problems.

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

Looking darn nice out here tonight:thumbsup::thumbsup:setup ready to go, just got
to wait for the boys to go to sleep :whistle: la la by :whistle: la la by :whistle:...etc...etc...

Could be a very nice weekend indeed. Hope you all get chance to get out
amoungst it. We have a lovely -7 iridium flare predicted for tonight @ 19:54ESDT

regards,CS

[Lismore Bloke]

Had a list of objects to observe on Friday night, and saw the Dumbell Neb. again before it disappeared. My northern horizon is very restricted. Shape was very plain, better with averted vision. I am very lucky that there are no bright lights near the house,just Lismore's skyglow. Then the clouds came rolling in. :mad2: I now hate clouds. Have a theory on why I have to keep readjusting focus. When I bought the 12" I read all the posts and reviews and one (by iceman I think) said he removed the mirror locking screws. I did the same but I have now put them back in. Could be that they help to counter the rather weak springs these things have. Will test again when this pesky high cloud blows over.

[GrahamL]

I think I read somewhere that the springs on the 12" gso's are a little troublesome at times and need replaceing .. I think there are some posts probably tucked away in the archives on the subject.

[Lismore Bloke]

Yes I think you're right. I heard that some use valve springs from old engines, but not sure. I had a session last night with the mirror locking screws back in and things were much better. Hardly had to touch the focus.

Tried out the old "deep sky filter" I bought from Astro Optical years ago. I haven't used it because of it dims star images and colours everything blue.
It did make the gaseous nebulae In Sgr and the SMC stand out well, but knocked globulars around. Just moved it in front of the eyepiece.

Used the short Orthos on Jupiter and the viewing was pretty good. Quite steady and very little dew early on.

[Lismore Bloke]

Sorry I didn't reply to your post. What size is the teflon washer you have?
I was thinking of getting some teflon pads to replace the small originals. I think Glen did that to his 12. Where you get teflon from???

Not sure what was happening mirror-wise. I poked the mirror supports and there was definitely movement there, so I put the bolts back in, tweaked the collimation a bit and tightened the screws just enough to bear the weight a bit.

Last night was good again, no problems. Star images were the best ever. Sharp little diamonds, little evidence of seagulls or any other wildlife, except at the edges. I just wish that I had Glen's awesome sky knowledge so I can find a few more objects in those fainter constellations. If I had the dough I'd just get an Argo. Cheers, Paul.

[CoombellKid]

The Teflon pivot washer measures 55mm OD, 25mm ID and 1mm thick. Ialso have a three spacers the same size but about .5mm thick, to adjustthe height if need be. Apart from that you can get a full dob teflon kitfrom SDM in Victoria for around $20. That includes 4x Alt bearing teflon pads, three azi teflon pads plus the azi pivot bolts teflon washer and spacers.

[Lismore Bloke]

Thanks for the info. Might just drop them an email.

[GrahamL]

I'm not fussed on all this high cloud thats been buzzing me everytime i go out of late :(.. it seems to hang just long enough to send me off to bed then clears perfectly.

[Lismore Bloke]

This is a fairly primitive effort. Nikon D50 hand held against the 12mm EP.
Not sure what size photos have to be ... just a guess, like the exposure etc.

Cloud has just come over to spoil the fun.

[Lismore Bloke]

Bigger size version. Might display better.
Image was tickled in Photoshop and converted to greyscale.

[glenc]

It was nice last night once the wind died down.
The wind nearly blew the roof off my observatory yesterday, one bolt unscrewed itself and fell out.

[CoombellKid]

Was thinking about it myself, but the wind and Rugby League WC final kept me inside. What a whipping eh' : ) Looks like the wind is back again today, if it settles later I'll be out.

[GrahamL]

I went and caught the cruel sea last night ( wow there still great )
and ole tex did mention we lost ? .. I got out about 1.30 and stayed till the moon came up .. it was very clear .. Still looking at tenterfield next weekend glen ?

[glenc]

Yes I am still going to Tenterfield provided it is fine.
Unfortunately Rob says he can't come.

[CoombellKid]

Hi guy's

If you can give me until Tuesday to confirm, I will know for definite by
then. In the meantime Glen if you could let me know how much you
want me to throw in for fuel and any camping fees and such, so I can
arrange my available funds. That would be good. If you have already
made other arrangements... no worries

[CoombellKid]

Just confirming, I wont be able to attend the Tenterfield meet this
coming weekend. I hope you all have a great time and best of conditions

[CoombellKid]

Just got home myself and shoved a roast in the oven for a decent feed. Looking awesome out here... a lil bit of wind. 70knt jetstream over head so not quite getting to pristine... still worth setting up. Didn't get a chance last month as it kept clouding in.

[GrahamL]

Yeah I'll have a look rob :).. my current bolt comes through a machined brass sleave .. which might be a pain to remove .. the upper part of the sleave is slightly resessed into the rocker box floor and has quite a bit of bolt protudeing.. so I was hopeing to turn up an extended bolt of sorts
drilled and tapped at the top to take the encoder arm and threaded at the bottom to lock onto the sleave ...I'll have to look at the overall height though as its probably pretty tight and getting close to the bottom of my mirror box.


14 mm xw.. you had a look throgh one of these ?:D.. the tight eye relief of both my naglers was getting a bit bothersome with my crap eyesight...hey you still got that clear disk ?.. I think its out of my red light torch .
__________________
12" truss dob and numerous misplaced
accessories...............graham..
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/vbiis/images/misc/progress.gif

[CoombellKid]

I'll get some photos organised over the next couple of days of the pivot boltand plate I have. I got it from Wildcard for my Argo, but ended up going with a powered groundboard kit. I think from memory I left 1"/25mm clearance to allow for the azi encoder.

Yup! I've looked through one of those ; ) congrats!!!

[CoombellKid]

Haven't located that disc since I last told you about it. Kids... most probably the young one have done something to it. Sorry.

[GrahamL]

anyone keen this weekend ?

[glenc]

Graham yes, if it is fine.

[Lismore Bloke]

Hi guys,

Leaving for family Christmas get-together on the weeekend (down near Wollongong). Will be back mid January. Have a good Christmas, will catch up when I get back.

Cheers, Paul.

[CoombellKid]

Well fellas,

It's finally cleared up, so scope is out for the first time in probably a couple
of months. And the earlier jet stream seems to have cleared off

regards,CS

[glenc]

Did some observing from 10 to 12 last night. I am trying to see all the NGC nebulae.
Saw 1985, 2163 and 2327 last night. They were eF, vF and F respectively.
NGC 2327 is a small nebula in IC 2177. Tried 1990 (40' SW of eps Ori) but didn't see it.
See: http://picasaweb.google.com.au/dunlop1826/NGCNebulae#

[glenc]

Used my 12 " Dob from 3 to 4 this morning. Saw two tails on Comet Lulin and Saturn nearly edge on with 6 moons.
http://blogs.discovery.com/whats_up_astronomy/2008/12/saturn-on-edge.html

[glenc]

Nice and clear last night, pity about the moon. I managed to see a fair few DSO between 4am and 5am with 20x80s including Lulin. http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0902/C2007N3Lulin2panel_brimacombe.jpg

[CoombellKid]

Hey Fellas,

Long time no see! been busy as a bee lately, haven't even
had the scope out this year. But have setup tonight since
it is clear-ish. Hope alls well :thumbsup: looking forward to touring
Virgo-Coma and N3 Lulin while I'm in the area later on. Just
got to let the boys settle.

Anyways happy observing all

regards,CS

[glenc]

Nice to hear from you Rob and a good clear night tonight.

[CoombellKid]

Yes, very nice night. Leaving the scope setup for tonight, but they say
there is a change coming this afternoon. Lulin was impressive in the 20x80's
and so was N3242 @ x 522 :eyepop: which is starting to look like my favorite
planetary. Took in the usual show stoppers amoung others... Eta Carina neb
along with the Homonculus neb :eyepop:, N5139 :eyepop:, N5128, N4038-39,
N3132, N4755, M83, M42-43, N3293, N3324 (with OIII), N2070 and
surounding nebs. But mostly looking at galaxies in Leo, Virgo, Coma
Berenices and Canes Venatici. Starting with messier objects then doing a
tour of galaxies down mag 14 of which there were too many to list.

A very pleasent night as long as you had mozzie repellent.

Cheers,CS

[glenc]

Sounds like a great night out apart from the mozzies.

[CoombellKid]

Well since it was already raining and the government gave me some dollars
to stimulate the economy. I thought I would buy a couple of acquisitions. The
first of which arrived today.... a new 31mm t5 Nagler and are now waiting
for my new 7mm XW. I'm a lil confused why the 7mm XW is $200.00-$300.00
more than the 5mm, 10mm, 14mm :shrug:. Even the supplier had to ring the
distributer to re-check the price.

PS: ummm Mr Rudd, any chance you might want to spring for a new 60"
truss dob : )

regards,CS

[GrahamL]

yeah its strange.. have you tried http://www.kkohki.com/English/kkohkiparts.html
$481.00

[CoombellKid]

That wouldn't help stimulate the economy now would it :whistle:..... nah didn't
bother looking overseas. Besides once you pay freight and money transfer
fees. It wouldn't be much more than the discount I got from Lex and the
warrenty is just up the road.

It should be here next week... which will be good as the moonage will have
waned somewhat.

[GrahamL]

I always thought you had a 7 xw , did you buy from star optics ?
I'm thinking of some stimulating with a 10 xw in april .. so there up for a discount eh ? .. i'll look into that.

So you going to throw away that baby nagler now you have the hand grenade?:D

[CoombellKid]

Nope, only have the 14mm, 10mm, 3.5mm and now the 7mm. Yup from Star
Optics. I'll stimulate again in a couple of months and get the 5mm.

Baby nagler? you mean the 20mm t5... it isn't that baby sized, although it is
sitting next the 31mm.... but then everything looks baby size next to it :lol:
you should see a 7mm U/O HD beside it.

regards,CS

[astro_south]

Congrats on the acquisitions Rob, and for doing your part for the economy.

The other benefit is the fuel I will save not having to transport mine down when I come to visit ;)

[GrahamL]

looked through yours that night Andrew but still havn't seen one up close in daylight.. the pics you see of them kinda look like they could eat other eyepieces if you left em sitting to close;)

[CoombellKid]

Hey Andrew



Well they did mention my purchase when they open the ASX Friday morning :rofl:
still waiting for Mr Rudd to personally ring and thank me. :whistle::whistle::whistle:



Not if I can find a binoviewer that can fit two of these suckers in :lol:

regards,CS

[CoombellKid]

Yup your right mate... look what happened when I left it next to my 7mm U/O HD :whistle:

[CoombellKid]

Looking awesome out here tonight. The earlier cloud has cleared off and
the jetstream is across the border in Queensland shouldn't efect us much.
It will give me a good chance to try out the new additions (right after
Underbelly). The other night was crappy seeing and mushy cloud all about.
But did get in a couple of standouts Leo triplet and Eta Carina neb with
OIII in the 31mm. And Saturn under better seeing to the north in the 7mm
was awesome with nice detail in the planetary banding, similar to Jupiter
except different colours.

Looking forward to the weekend. I've managed to talk the ex into allowing
me new moon weekends without the kids... Waahooo!!! looking forward
to alot more observing this year.

Cheers

[CoombellKid]

What an absolutely fantastic night!!! horizon to horizon stars with very
minimal twinkle if any above 45 degrees :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup: Hope Y'ol are enjoying
it.... I'm outa here :D

Cheers

[CoombellKid]

Awesome night last night, too many objects to mention I was out
until 2am this morning. Time slips by when your having fun.

The standouts were Eta Carina and Rosetta neb with the 31mm t5
plus OIII filter. The Rosetta neb is almost invisible without the OIII
and I could fit the whole object in the FOV. Then there were several
galaxy clusters in Leo mostly Abell types. I counted 16 galaxies in one
FOV. The 7mm on the Eskimo planetarty was the first time I have seen
both the inner and outer shells. Same with the eight burst neb where
I was able to see several concentric shells both unfiltered too.

Well I guess this thread is dead, so this will be the last post in here
for me. Happy observing fellas

Anyways looking forward to the weekend, hope the weather holds.

Cheers

[Lismore Bloke]

Just a quick hello. I haven't done much observing for a couple of months. Very busy with other things. Yes, the last two nights have been great, excellent conditions, will probably be out again tonight. I might try and spot those 2 PN's (3132 and 2392). My horizon to the north is crap. Saturn is just skimming the roof, to give you an idea. Cheers, Paul.

[glenc]

I will start a new thread called NSW Northern Rivers 2009.