Central Coast Pony Club Observing Night - 31st May

[Inmykombi]

Hello again to one and all.

A suggestion for the 31st May ( Saturday ) just before the New Moon.
Or if the Weather is no good, we could try the weekend after on the 7th June ( Saturday ) .

There was a great turnout last time on the Mountain, so pencil the dates into your diaries for another night of great company.

And maybe I'll bring a little more coffee this time..... for those that missed out last time.

[Deeno]

Ah......
Planning ahead !
As the scope is in pieces due to rust, this adds to the motivation to pull out the proverbial out for the next new moon.
Looking forward to skies better than my own backyard........

Deeno

[GTB_an_Owl]

painting it yourself Deeno - or having it done ?

geoff

[Deeno]

DYI of course!
Inner tube starting to rust...
Don't think they they thought these things were supposed to be subjected to the elements......

Deeno

[GTB_an_Owl]

you mean to say - YOU LOOK down there ?

geoff

[RB]

Ah a good excuse for a smoke test to check for tube currents.
I'm in...........

[gmbfilter]

Sooner the better...I missed going last time, depression is setting in.

[iceman]

31st is good for me.

[Inmykombi]

Hi Mike,
Could you bring a couple more T-shirts for me.
Another black one like last time, and a white one as well.
I will compare the sizes physically with the different shirts.

Thx.

[Rick Petrie]

I'm in also, and hangin' for a fix. (A cigar will also be tempting)
Deeno, a good way to blacken the tube is to just blow a few puffs of a stodgy up there and hey presto!
GTB -Can I order a pair of boots off you (take a size 12 shoe)
and pick them up on the night if you could bring some? Thanks.
Cheers Rick.:)

[GTB_an_Owl]

i'll bring a pair of 12's - but don't know whether they will fit you
that's the largest size they come in

geoff

[Rick Petrie]

Thanks Geoff
Size 12 will probably be OK. Should be snug inside. Can you bring a 11 just in case my feet shrink (or stink) by then. Ta.
Cheers

[Chippy]

Hey guys, I might be interested in coming along (weather permitting). What's the address - or how do I get there?

[Inmykombi]

G'day Nick.
I hope this works.
Here is a link to the map in the Sticky Thread at the top of the Star Parties Forum page.

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

Hope it helps.

Glad to see ya there.:thumbsup:

Geoffro.

[Inmykombi]

Hey Geoff ( Mr Owl )

Can I return my boots for a refund.

They are too warm for my feet.:lol:

[GTB_an_Owl]

you've heard of "heat packs" - well they have "ICE" packs as well

probably have to see Mike about the later :whistle: :lol:

just slip em down the sides

geoff

[Rodstar]

I am being spoilt this month...heading up to Coonabarabran with John B for some truly dark skies over the long weekend. Hope you guys have a good night, will hopefully see you in late June/early July.

[Rick Petrie]

That'll probably make Geoff M break out into a 'cold sweat', and it will be 'cold comfort' to think he might get 'cold feet' in doing that to his boots GTB.
I don't mean to be 'cold blooded' about all this Geoff M as you might give us the 'cold shoulder'.Sorry Geoff but we all know you to be a pretty 'cool' dude.;)
Cheers:)

[Inmykombi]

Whats the long range weather forecast showing for Saturday 31st then ?

Geoff I am trying to talk the Wife into allowing me to get a freezer suit.
I imagine the Mountain will get pretty cold from now on....

Chasing some Hedghogs may help to keep us warm though.:D

[iceman]

Weather looks good so far! :thumbsup:

[Deeno]

Fingers crossed as the weather does look promising:prey:

Looking forward to Saturday now that the rust has been dealt with (even the spider veins were starting to rust!), the mirrors cleaned and a successful test at Ricks place.

[GTB_an_Owl]

Soooo - have you got time to do mine now Deeno ?

Mmmm. better send that email off about the key i spose

geoff

[Deeno]

Can lend you the roller and paint..............:painting:

[GTB_an_Owl]

i know i shouldn't ask
but ................

how do you get a roller INSIDE the tube ?

geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

and YES

i do have an/the answer

geoff

[Deeno]

It’s a very small roller........lucky this is a family show

Seriously though
If you approve of mine, take yours apart and I'll paint

[Inmykombi]

I can pick the key up again Geoff........ if I get up there before you....as long as you can take it back.

It saves one person doing both trips. And besides , it gets me away from those dogs when locking up.....:scared:

Coffee will be " on the table " again....:lol:

[GTB_an_Owl]

the dogs don't seem to be a problem now that they have put the gate on Geoff :rundog:

but i will lock up and take the key back then if i make it through cuban corner and gazing time

nearly time for a roll call people (so Geoff knows how much coffee to grind :D)

geoff

[Inmykombi]

The roll call should also be for working out the number of Hedgehogs to catch as well....

Geoff

[GTB_an_Owl]

don't know that Gazz will be coming - think he has a wheels problem

think he said he was riding a pushbike so he could sneek up on the hegdehogs

geoff

[bones]

So far so good for Saturday night - count me in. No beans for me though. What time would people be turning up?
By the way, did I miss out on the birthday cake last time or did it not appear at all?

[Rick Petrie]

Weather's looking ASTRONOMICAL so far.:rolleyes:
I'm in for coffee,cuban,hedgehogs -whatever's on the menu.
In for a penny............!
Mr Owl -you won't forget those boots will ya? Thanks mate.:thumbsup:

[Rick Petrie]

Tony (bones)
Just missed your post. Good to see your coming and don't forget your scope this time.;)
Did I hear you right in that your bringing a Birthday Cake?:whistle:

[bones]

Hey Rick, re the cake I remembered that there was a lot of talk of a cake and heaps of birthdays about in the post for 3rd of May night - but I didn't see any. Did I get there too late (8pm)? If you want I'll bring one along.
Re the scope - I'm still to get a power tank so I won't be able to take it yet, still bound to the back yard on AC supply unfortunately.

[Rick Petrie]

T Bones
Ahhhhh - The mystery of the missing birthday cake!
Sounds like the other mystery of the hedgehogs!!!! You can bring a cake if you like. I think the minister for home affairs should seriously consider a power tank as you will realize the true potential of your scope up at the mountain. I think there is a power supply up the Pony Club but I'm not sure how many can tap into it on the night. Maybe Mr Ice or others could fill you in on that one.
Most will probably turn up about 5 ish.
Cheers:)

[Deeno]

Plenty of 240v AC available, only need a extension cord long enough.
Feel free to bake a cake.......

[Inmykombi]

Hi Bones,

I dont know what the Powertank has that my 12 volt power supply doesnt, but you can buy basic ones from Supercheap Auto at Gosford for less than $100.00.
The ones I bought have a 12 volt cig lighter socket on the side for powering my scope.

Maybe if ya get time, you could check them out.

See ya there.

[GTB_an_Owl]

it's THURSDAY nite boy's and girl's

who has a leave pass for the pony club - and who ain't ?

geoff

[iceman]

I'm there!

Rod?

[GTB_an_Owl]

think Rod is in Coona this week Mike

geoff

[iceman]

Right you are!

Will certainly miss Mary Rose.

I mean we'll miss Rod.

[Deeno]

I'm there.
No Mary Rose means I'll have to actually do some observing through my own scope

[Rick Petrie]

Leave pass approved.
Deeno -You've gotta love your new 'turbo charged' tube.:stargaze:
Hope Jupiter and other objects are as clear under dark as they were the other night here.
Rickapoody

[gmbfilter]

I also will be there

[Arthur Alchin]

Would love to be up the mountain this coming week but have just started the last 2 subjects in my masters degree and free time is not at a premium at present (or for the next 14 weeks).

Will catch up soon and wipe the cobwebs for the schmidt-newtonian

Arthur

[Inmykombi]

I 'm there, although I maybe late...

Dont know what time yet, as I will be in Sydney tomrrow.

Count me in for a Hedgehog or three....

Geoffro

[wavelandscott]

I will not be making the trip up the mountain this weekend...

Between watching the Waratahs thrash that other team from NZ and hosting visitors from overseas next week (related to me) I can not get a parole pass from the warden...she reasons my family should mean my clean-up effort...

Hope everyone has a dark, clear night!

[koputai]

Should be there again, the missus is away, so it's just up to me to get my shyte together.
If I can find enough warm clothes, I'm there!

Cheers,
Jason.

[GTB_an_Owl]

i know someone who can fix that problem for you Jason :whistle: :lol:

and i don't mean the one about your missus being away

geoff

[koputai]

You can fix my shyte? :eyepop:

Cheers,
Jason.

[gmbfilter]

I bet we could sell tickets...!

[GTB_an_Owl]

Gazz won't admit it - but there are certain medical benefits to the partaking of the humble Hedgehog

geoff

[RB]

I'll try to make it tonight guys.
My workload is really heavy atm and I've been sick lately with migraines so haven't been online.

I promised the younger kids I was going to bring them along and since my youngest son had his 6th birthday last week and got a telescope he's been desperate to try it out.

If I do make it, it won't be too late a night for me, but at least I can catch up with everyone.

Hope it's a great night, in any case.

:thumbsup:

[xstream]

Yeah, the dentist rubs his hands together with glee. :lol:

[bones]

There's a bit of cloud forming as the afternoon rolls on. Is it still on for tonight up at the mountain???

[iceman]

Yep if it's clear i'll be there!

Won't be a late one for me though, was up all morning this morning imaging Jupiter.

[GTB_an_Owl]

it will clear

trust me

be there - we can always just sit and drink Geoffs coffee till it does

geoff

[Inmykombi]

Dont know if the coffee will make it as the cloud is covering the sky from where I am atm.

If the cloud goes I will be there, but someone will need to pick up the key.

[gmbfilter]

What time are you arriving GTB ?

[iceman]

It clouded over when I arrived. I'm sure it cleared when I left - I was the sacrificial lamb that caused it to clear so I expect thanks :)

[Inmykombi]

Sorry to tell you Mke, but it did clear nicely after you left.
You probably knew that though when you got out of the car at home.

Many stayed until about 3 am after the clouds came back about 1-2 am.
It was nice till then though, especially when Jupiter rose high enough to give us all some nice steady views and very good cloud detail.
There was very little "twinkle " in the stars for a while as well. a few meteors for those who took a seat and had a coffee and some of Ricks Chokkie bikkies.

I am glad I made the trip, but now have the task of drying everything after some heavy dew on the SCT.
Maybe I shoud buy a DOB instead.........Shame on me, What am I saying:screwy:........I couldn't lower my standards that way....;)

[gmbfilter]

Must thank you for the sacrifice Mike, very ...nice... of you.

[iceman]

:doh: yeh I could see it clearing driving home.

While frustrating, I really did need an early night after being up till 4:30am imaging Jupiter yesterday morning.

[RB]

Yes, many thanks Mike !!!
When I finally got there, you had left, and I was greeted to very nice clear skies. :P

Thanks to all for a very nice evening and for sharing your scopes.
We had some beautiful views of Jupiter, The Sombrero, The Hamburger and more.
Enjoyed both viewing through Geoff's (combi) new bino viewers and the various other dobs on offer.

Hope Deeno's photos turn out.
Next time duct tape your cable release to your camera mate so you have it with you !! :mad2: :whistle:

Till next month.

:thumbsup:

[GTB_an_Owl]

YEP - good nite all round

don't forget the other sacrificial lamb - hope you were welcomed with open arms Joe ( no i can't put the next bit in here :whistle:)

thanks to Rick for helping recover from a bobs Knobs operation on the old scope - it really did help on those beaut views of jupiter we got after midnite

GEE i look forward to these nite's with you folk

geoff

[Deeno]

Good fun as always.
Thanks for taking the clouds with you Mike, hope you had a good nights kip.

[Rick Petrie]

Great night was had by all eventually after that big sucker hole opened up just after Mike left - and you did pick it Mike. (seriously, hope you had a good rest after all that imaging you've been doing lately. I don't know how you do it.) The weather god was good to us again.....Geoff????
A top night of viewing albeit a little dewy at times. Hope you had a good night Tony and nice to finally meet you Sue. Thanks to Geoff M for the taste of that good tobaccy and everyone else for all that good humour and friendliness as always.:)

[bones]

Rick, I had a good night thanks. You know my fortune, it cleared up after I had just about packed up. I'm sure it happens to us all at different times. As you and others said I should have waited it out a bit more. It looks like the weatherman's now predicting rain and showers for at least a week - so much for clear skies around the new moon. Thanks to all who were there last night. We'll see how we go next month...

[Inmykombi]

I almost forgot to thank Bones for the Profitteroles.

Combined with some coffee it was very nice indeed.

See ya next time.

[Rick Petrie]

We were certainly lucky to get just a few hours of good seeing on Saturday. The wait made it worthwhile as it doesn't look like clearing for a week now.:(
Thanks also to bones for the profitteroles, they were scrumptious. The boots are great Geoff and I don't think I'll have to throw any ice in there just yet.:thumbsup:
The views through you new binos (Geoff Inmy...)was the best I've seen through your scope. Magnificent!!
Cheers

[bones]

No worries, I wasn't too sure how many were coming because of the looming clouds, so I decided to improvise for the 'missing birthday cake' somehow.