Planetary Imaging Camp - Nambucca, end June 2008

[bird]

Update:

I'm back home now, got in about an hour ago. I went back up to Nambucca Heads yesterday to have a second look at that venue now that I'd seen all the other options. There was only one other place that was close to scoring the same on features, but in the end the Nambucca Heads location just came out on top in all categories:

- Cabins: all nice, well located on the top of the headland. Sleep up to 5 per cabin, 6 cabins available, located together away from other campers.

- Trees: none that will get in the way. Low trees and scrub for good windbreak.

- Open space: each cabin has open grass (flat) and there's a large open (flat) area close by within reach of power.

- Wind protection: The grass areas are well protected from the direct wind.

- Cost: As low as any other place I could find (see below).

-Owners: friendly and interested in what we're doing

- Privacy: good, the park is at the end of the road, boom gates at entry, the cabins are at the far end of the park. Should be very little passing traffic.

- Location: On top of the headland, about 50m above the ocean. Can stand there and look down at the beach and water. Bushland in all directions.

Overall rating: Perfect.

Now we have to determine numbers and how much accommodation to book. 6 cabins are available - ideally I'd like to book them all so we have that end of the park all to ourselves :-) But realistically we might only have enough to book 2 or 3 over that period.

I'd suggest that people bringing families to mix holiday with astronomy pleasure will likely want to have a cabin to themselves, and people travelling alone should consider sharing with other people to keep the costs down. Each cabin has a master bedroom and separate bunk beds.

I'd like to make the booking at the end of January, so lets try to get the word out to everyone we think might be interested. I'll email everyone I know including some overseas people that have expressed interest.

Check out the link near the top of the thread to the tourist park for prices. The system I'll use will be to share the cost of adults evenly among those staying each night, and the cost of children is charged to their parents.

eg 2 adults is $65, so that's $37.50ea per night, 3 adults would be $75, ie $25 per head.

Children under 5 stay for free, otherwise $5 per night each.

If we book for a week we pay only for 6 days. For that reason I'll book for 2 weeks so we pay for 12 days.

For people with families booking out a cabin to themselves it's easy to calcuate the cost, but for people sharing it's not so easy as it depends on who is there on each night of the camp. I'll try and get everyone to commit to exact dates as soon as possible so we can sort out who will be in which cabin.

At this stage the camp will be from Saturday June 21 to Friday July 4 inclusive. That makes exactly 2 weeks, of which we pay for 12 days and get 2 days free.

These dates can change up to the time that we book. School holidays start on July 5, the day after the end of the camp. I'd hope to have very few campers there during the camp (other than us).

All in all Sounds pretty darn good to me :-)

cheers, Bird

[bird]

Paul, you'll have to edit your opening post to update it with these details as we go along :-)

cheers, Bird

[iceman]

Anthony, the place looks perfect. I'll only be going for 1 week, and will book out a cabin for my family.

I'm not sure which week we'll go yet - i'll check the moon phase and get back to you.

[bird]

Update: Only one week until bookings for cabins are made, so if you haven't already put your name down and are thinking of coming along, now is the time to speak up!

The camp is open to anyone who's keen on one or two weeks of Jupiter imaging in possibly the best location in Australia, up on a headland overlooking the pacific ocean.

Let me know asap if you'd like to come along so I can make allowances in the cabin bookings.

regards, Bird

[iceman]

Hi Anthony.

I'll be coming on my own now, so will need to think about accommodation options again.
Having a look at their website, the powered campsites are only $110/week, as opposed to $390/week - quite a difference when i'll be on my own.

How far are the campsites from the cabins? Are there trees near the campsites, or are they out in the open like the cabins?

Although a cabin, nice and warm, with TV/DVD/cooking etc, will be much more comfortable than a lonely tent! hmm, will have to see how much i'm prepared to spend.

As for the dates, I'll probably look for coming later in the 2 weeks, though not right up until the 4th because it's my wife's birthday on the 5th, and we'll hopefully be heading to Parkes for the CWAS Astrofest. The moon is in a waxing phase after the 20th or so, and would to take advantage of the darker skies later in its phase.

[bird]

Mike, I've email back with some details - it's about a 200m walk from the tent sites up hill to the cabins, not sure if thats too far for you or not... my memory is that the campsites have lots of trees so I doubt you could set up down where you'd be camping.

If the weather is nice then camping would be a nice way to go, providing you can sleep in a tent during the daytime :-)

cheers, Bird

[iceman]

Thanks, Anthony. As per email, upon reflection I think a cabin is the way to go. Air-conditioned, easier to sleep during the day, and I wouldn't be able to pitch a tent near the cabins.

I'll either save up for the cost of the cabins, or bunk with someone if any others are planning on coming.

[bird]

I've made the first round of bookings - at this stage I've booked a cabin for 2 weeks for myself and a cabin for one week for Paul (Rumples). Mike and I will be sharing a cabin for the second week.

Each cabin costs $325 per week for 2 people, ie either $46 per night if you have one to yourself or $23 a night each if you're sharing - you're not going to find a better deal that that!

There are still cabins available in the group (6 cabins) at the top of the headland, but the park operators tell me that they usually book out a couple of months in advance so if you're still pondering coming along then please let me know asap.

cheers, Bird

[iceman]

Just an update on this:

Place we're staying: http://www.headlandtouristpark.com.au

At this stage, the only people going are Anthony and myself.

Anthony is there for 2 weeks from the 21st June and I'll be there for about a week starting from the 28th June.

If anyone else would like to come along, please post here! Not sure what accommodation you'll be able to get but at this time of year i'd imagine there'll still be a lot of cabins free.

There'll be 240v power available as well.

Hope to see you there!

[Outbackmanyep]

Hi Iceman, i should be able to make it, might just make it a day trip from home i think, would be good to come and catch up. I won't be needing accommodation.

Cheers!

[iceman]

Sounds great, Chris!

[bird]

Chris, that sounds great - look forward to catching up.

cheers, Bird

[AlexN]

i'm going to find out how far it is from me when i get home then have a think about it.. If its not mega long distance then it could be on the cards

[matt]

Hi Alex.

It's about 7.5 hours from Brisvegas.:)

That's according to my TomTom sat-nav unit.

So it all depends on what you consider to be a 'long' distance.

I guess it's all subjective;)

[iceman]

It's about 5.5 hours for me to get there, and about 8.5 for Anthony, so 7.5 is nothing ;)

[AlexN]

7.5 hrs isn't too bad.. I.ll have to have a look see at what else is on... Should be ok just depends on work..

[schrodingersCat]

wow your going to Nambucca Heads!!!
I was there about a week ago. I grew up In Nambucca Heads and my parents live right there in Hyland Park. Its a great spot! I wasnt really following this so Im not sure whats being organised here, but people are going there to image Jupiter I take it?


edit: Ill be going to Nambucca Heads at some point next month, I go there regularly(its only 4 hours or so from Newcastle, but the roadworks between Karuah and Tea Gardens, and again near Kempsey are a pain at the moment) so If its an open invitation Id love to come and see what everyones up to :D

[iceman]

It's an open invitation, you're welcome to come along!

[AlexN]

looks like I'll be taking the friday off work, heading down friday morning, should be there in time to set up and get a feed in.. stay friday/saturday night, come home sunday..

:)

[iceman]

Just another reminder about this - not long now!

I've measured my little Hyundai and my 12" tube should just fit - so it'll be jam packed with gear. Cheaper than hiring a station wagon for the week!

Let's hope this current weather pattern clears by then!

[AlexN]

The weather is really going to be the decider for me... Im so very keen to come, but not so keen on driving 7.5hrs to see clouds...

[iceman]

Anthony is at Nambucca now, and from all reports it's a lovely place. Beautiful position right on the headland looking over the beach. The cabins are nice, have an outdoor BBQ with power right nearby where we'll setup our scopes, and he's using his telescope to watch whales spashing around as they migrate north for the winter.

The weather reports are for great weather all week for him.

I'm really looking forward to joining him on Saturday. I hope the good weather continues into next week, and I can't wait to do both astrophotography and normal photography..

Comet Boattini, the milky way, Jupiter, the Moon, sunrises and sunsets, whales.. I wish I could've gone for the whole 2 weeks!

Gotta start planning what i'm going to take..

Anyone else planning to join us?

[bird]

A quick update from Nambucca Heads...

Got here lunchtime Saturday, a lovely sunny day and a nice location! Unpacked the car and headed to Coffs to collect Leisa from the plane. It was a lovely clear night on Saturday evening, lots of people staying here came down for a look through the scope. The seeing wasn't predicted to be very good, and it probably got to 5/10 at best.

Sunday was another clear day, spent it moving the scope to a better spot, putting up more tarps to block the wind, did some exploring. The new location for the scope gave a good view of the ocean and we spent most of the afternoon whale watching with my 30mm ep. Overkill maybe, but we got some lovely close views of humpbacks jumping about a k or so off the coast. Sunday evening the seeing was better, maybe 6/10.

Monday was clear (again). Spent the day tinkering with the scope, making some software changes, finding a better way to get 240v power to the scope. Went for a long walk around the headland and down to the beach and back.

Some high cloud moved in on dusk and threatened to spoil the party. Had a nice look at Saturn just after sunset. The high cloud turned into a thin haze that covered the whole sky, but around midnight Jupiter was high enough that I was able to record some data at about 50% transparency. The seeing was good though, maybe 8/10. The wind had dropped further and wasn't a problem to the scope.

Tuesday: so far the sky is clear and there's no wind. A carbon copy so far of the other days. Hoping the sky will be clear tonight as the seeing is predicted to improve all through this week.

cheers, Bird

[iceman]

Well my little hyundai excel is packed with my 12" newt, EQ6, side-by-side widefield ED80 scopes, all the bits and pieces, counter weights, batteries, cases etc. Just clothes and miscellaneous indoor stuff to go. The car is full!

Anthony reported BRILLIANT seeing on wednesday night. Very jealous I was. I've been out every night this week at home and the seeing has been rubbish EVERY NIGHT. Very very frustrating.

Let's hope for more steady conditions after tomorrow night!

I'll be there around midday tomorrow.

Anyone else coming to join us?

[iceman]

Well I arrived about 90 minutes ago, an uneventful trip up.

It's an absolutely beautiful spot, here. Have already seen a few whales splashing about - will have to point the scope at them soon.

Weather looks good for the next few days at least, hopefully all week. Lots of things I want to see and do (and photograph).

I'm sure i'll get time to sleep sometime in between.. I almost didn't come up today - I came down with a nasty virus yesterday and was in bed most of the day and night. Felt ok this morning so here I am.

Anyway off to the shops to get some supplies!

[iceman]

So far so good on night 1.

After drift aligning i'm taking some images of the Swan nebula with my 350D before Jupiter rises high enough to image.

Through the eyepiece in Anthony's scope, Jupiter is already looking quite good at the low altitude. Hopefully a sign of good seeing tonight!

[AlexN]

Its clouded over here in brisbane and I am the most unbelievable shade of green with envy of you guys down there...

My boss made me work 10hrs from 4-2pm today. which was not fun, and another 10 to come on monday... Otherwise I would be there with you enjoying the magnificent views

[iceman]

Halfway through the first night..

The seeing is reasonably good on Jupiter, but a stiff breeze is giving me troubles both in shaking the scope and sending Jupiter flying off the FOV, and also deteriorating the seeing. When the breeze settles, the GRS, Oval BA and the 3rd red spot look nice. Europa came out from behind Jupiter and is now scooting away.

I captured 6 x 400s on M17 (the swan) with the widefield imaging setup, and now the camera is on the tripod doing some startrails in the north looking towards Coffs Harbour.

The night is still young, hopefully this breeze will die down soon.

[iceman]

Well it was a beautiful first night - crystal clear all night. Though the wind proved to be the downfall for the seeing. It never peaked as we hoped it would, but when the wind settled it showed glimpses of promise.

Nevermind, let's hope for tonight. Without the wind!

Got some images of some lovely northern startrails and comet boattini. I tried for Mercury this morning but at 10deg altitude it was a bit of a waste of time. Oh well.

Lovely day outside, time to get out in it.

[iceman]

Has been a great day, an absolutely beautiful day on the mid north coast. Nice warm temperatures, feels like Spring! I went for a long walk along the beach, v-wall and through the town this morning, then back into town for lunch with Anthony.. Must've walked 5-7klms today.

Now it's the middle of the 2nd night, and man it has been a great night.

A very strong on-shore breeze in the afternoon and early evening had us worried, but we were also hoping that as it died down, a nice laminar on-shore flow would provide some very good seeing.

And it hasn't disappointed.

Even when Jupiter was only 15deg, through the eyepiece it was excellent. It started off pretty good with the CCD in, and got better as the night has gone on with periods of superb seeing - looks to be the best i've had all year.

Anthony and I are full of oohs and aahs and the odd expletive thrown in as the seeing steadies to see details in the raw frames that we usually only see in processed images. It's just been an amazing night.

It's also been very interesting to compare our side by side views on the laptop - Anthony's raw images show much more consistent clarity, and we agree that it's due to:
a) my lack of active cooling and the tube currents
b) his more sensitive and less noisy camera

It's also so great to see his setup in action, 1 click to start recording, and it changes filters and re-focus and it's recording the next channel in the space of 1.5 seconds.

Anyway time for a meridian flip, let's hope the seeing continues on the other side!

[AlexN]

best of luck for the night fellas! sounds awesome... I've just finished my runs over jupiter for tonight.. seeing as gone a bit like jelly here..

[Dennis]

Thanks for all the reports guys - it would make for a great book on "adventures in astronomy" and inspire many young ones to take up the hobby!

A very interesting side-by-side comparison between the 2 rigs Mike – excellent write up.

Cheers

Dennis

[Outbackmanyep]

Hi Mike!
When are you all going home?? I might be able to make it down this Saturday afternoon (5th July). Might stay in Coffs or i'll try for accommodation in Nambucca Heads.
Cheers!

[iceman]

Hey Chris, i'm leaving on Friday. It's Kate's birthday on the 5th so I'd better be home by then! :lol:

[Outbackmanyep]

Bugger! Not to worry! I hope to catch up at the IISAC, i'll pop in for a day or something like that! Might stay a night then!

Cheers!

[iceman]

Dennis I wish you could've come down!

Chris, that's a shame - hopefully see you at IISAC though.

Ongoing report..

Yesterday we went for a walk into town for a nice breakfast at a local cafe and then headed into Coffs for some shopping. It was time to finally fit the active cooling system to my scope that Dave Pretorius kindly made for me. So first stop was Dick Smith for the bits and pieces.

With a bit of filing, screwing and taping, my scope now has active cooling! I ran it for an hour or so yesterday afternoon and the mirror temperature dropped by about 5 deg, so it's working very well.

Unfortunately the seeing was shocking last night so I didn't get to test it out under real imaging conditions but hopefully it will improve tonight.

I spent the night getting some widefield milkyway images and then catching up on some much needed sleep. Up early this morning for comet boattini again and a lovely crescent moon.

Hope the seeing improves tonight! Jetstream looks horrible though :(

[bird]

The weather here has been very consistent - clear, sunny days with almost zero breeze. Leisa went home on Saturday (she has to work this week) and lat night reported heavy rain and strong winds in Canberra, seems like a world away compared to the idyllic conditions outside the cabin here this morning...

As Mike reported, seeing last night was awful, but the upside was that we both got some sleep after a very long night on Sunday evening. I recorded just over 250Gb on Sunday night of data, starting at 9pm and ending at 3.30am. The seeing was consistently good throughout the night with a few exceptional periods.

Here's hoping the jetstream is somewhere else tonight and we can get the GRS - there's interesting stuff happening with the "little red spot" starting to circle around and looks like its going to go between the grs and Oval BA in a few days time!

Bird

[matt]

Good luck fellas.

I hope you get excellent conditions soon and really load up on some great data:thumbsup:

[davidpretorius]

two planetary peas in a pod :D

wish i was there.... one year

[AlexN]

Next time you guys are heading to that location for some planetary imaging i'm coming for sure... Theres no way im missing out again! :D

[iceman]

Time for an update I guess..

Yesterday was a nothing day, sat around processing some images, Anthony doing a bit of work, etc. Another lovely, clear, sunny and warm day.

The night was again beautiful, clear and dark. Unfortunately the seeing was terrible again. Maybe slightly better than the previous night - Anthony recorded 1 or 2 runs but that's it. I had the ED80 on and did some deep space imaging of M17. I kept checking Anthony's scope for signs of good seeing, at which time I'd chuck my 12" on, but it never came.

I was up again at 4ish to image Comet Boattini again this morning, and finally didn't stuff up with the settings and get distracted by the moon etc. It was another lovely sunrise, the very thin crescent moon was absolutely lovely down in the orange glow over the ocean.

It's been another nice day today, went for a jog along the beach, met with some friends for lunch, and now going through emails and forums and more image processing.

Who knows what the night will bring, seeing wise. We just can't predict it anymore and just have to wait and see. I'll do the usual and start off with some deep space imaging of some kind and then go to planetary if the seeing turns out good.

I haven't seen a single cloud since I got here on Saturday. It's just such a beautiful place. We watched whales through the telescope today, and while I was waiting at a cafe on the edge of the river in town today, a pod of dolphins swam by. It's gonna be tough going back to the other life :)

We've had a constant stream of people coming to check out what we're doing every night.. people in the nearby cabins, others walking by, all stop for a look at Jupiter or Saturn or to talk about space and 'the stars'.

2 more nights to go for me.. hope we can get some good seeing.

[AlexN]

i can't wait to see all the resulting images! I'm still stuck on the comment you made a few days ago about seeing fine detail during capture. :)

[Matty P]

Good luck for tonight guys, I'm looking forward to some ripper images. Hopefully the seeing conditions will improve for you.

I'm truly jealous, we have been having some pretty bad weather in the past few days. No clear skies just cloud.

:thumbsup:

[Satchmo]

And maybe just maybe , some small amount of credit due to a hand figured custom made set of optics as against a low cost mass-produced one ? :)

[bird]

mark, could easily be... however a lot of the difference was visible as image wobbling and fast moving distortions, the sort of thing that can be attributed to tube or mirror currents. This was happening on Mikes scope while mine, just a few metres away, was showing a very stable image.

We've got Mikes cooler up and going now, so if we get another good night before he goes back then we should be able to get a good idea of how the optics compare.

cheers, Bird

[Satchmo]

I'm with you. I wonder whether , given all the processing and contrast enhancement that is used whether optical quality is nearly as significant with CCD inaging as for purely visual observing. I know from experience that there is a huge differenece visually in the ease of visibilty of low contrast planetary detail in the presence of any optical aberrations.

Addendum: A case in point would be the work of Damien Peach. With a mass production 14" SCT and 40% obstruction at the baffle obstruction the real Strehl ratio would be down in the low 70's or high 60's. No serious visual observer would choose such an instrument for planatary observing. The visual appearance of low contrast detail would be poor indeed, and yet with a combination of superb seeing sites and great processing he takes pictures that are among the best in the world. This suggests that the optical requirements for visual observers and CCD imagers are different.

[bird]

Mark, I don't think there's any doubt that if you tested 2 scopes of the same aperture and focal length side by side in the same conditions, then the one with the better optics will always deliver better results.

cheers, Bird

[Satchmo]

Anthony, My suspicion is that while better quality optics will always win out , a lower strehl ratio scope can still get spectacular results for CCD planatary imaging, and that differences may be only quite subtle, compared to the optical demands of a purely visual observer.

As the eye doesn't have the opportunity for stacking and contrast boosting, the kind of wealth of subtle detail will only be visible on a very high Strehl ratio scope, yet smeared out and indistinct in a low ratio scope. The difference seems to be far less apparent in digital imaging, the work of planetary imagers with heavily obstructed instruments like C14 bears this out .I have done quite a bit of visual with a C14 years ago, and the effective 0.7 Strehl ratio due to obstruction makes it pretty lack lustre visual instrument.

Look forward to your JUpiter images guys I'll shut up now :-)

Cheers, Mark