Brisbane/SEQ Last Quarter Moon Star Party @ The Grove [Archive]

astro_south

13-09-2005, 09:09 PM

Calling all Brisbanite and surrounding SEQ IIS'ers

It has been suggested by Striker that we are due a big get-together in this region, and so a proposal has been put forth to have a last quarter moon session out at Glenore Grove (less than a 1 hour drive for most of us) on the 24th of September.

The location is the olive grove behind Mark Hodson's (mhodson) observatory in downtown Glenore Grove. The location offers skies much darker than Brisbane for the cost of a realitively short drive.

Respond to this thread to show your interest (so we can gauge numbers) and I can PM you the directions to Mark's place if you need them.

I will be out there from about 3pm setting up, so arrival can be from then on.

Current list of attendees:
-mhodson
-astro_south
-Striker
-Iddon
-saturn%5
-Xeelee (and Dad)
-billche (and family)
-dhumpie

[1ponders]

13-09-2005, 09:46 PM

24th of September hey. ....hmmmm.... I'll see what I can do. Would be nice to give Tonys new camera a serious workout. Maybe he'll see that its just too complicated for him to use and I can swap him my Canon A10. :lol:

Striker

14-09-2005, 05:32 PM

Everyone put a big effort in attendance to this Star party...its been a while since I have seen most of you plus a lot of new members could make a really good night.....everyone is invited even only for a chat....its a real nice relaxed atmoshpere out at Marks place so come along.

Paul please be their as I need a scope to use....lol

You can even meet me at my place and I will take you in my ute...you drive straight past my house...its on the way.

Mark dont worry putting on any sandwiches we can help ourselves at the shop next door....thanks for putting the night on...looking forward to seeing what else you have done to your observatory.

I will definetely be there.

mch62

14-09-2005, 06:09 PM

The observatory -- bugger all , still waiting on the machinist to finish the drive rollers for the RA.
A coat of paint on the inside is about it.
Putting together a CPU for the controller at the moment.
I have removed a few trees so there is even a better FOV for you guys to take advantage of my dark skies.
I am hoping to have the scope up and running for the night.

[1ponders]

14-09-2005, 11:34 PM

Tony, how do I drive right past your door? I go to Marks via Peachester/Kilkoy and Esk?

Iddon

15-09-2005, 08:13 AM

Count me in!!!! Great idea.
Mark - do you want the laser before then, or do you want me to bring it on the night ?

mch62

15-09-2005, 09:57 AM

Grant just bring it on the night will be fine.

Bugger bugger bugger , just had a set back with the mount and it does not look like it will be finished by next weekend .
If it is I won't have time to set up the drives so it would be a glorified dob for the night :D .
Looks like I will just have to wander around all the other scopes again :whistle:

Mark

p.s. Paul if you come and as you have a long way to go your welcolme to crash in the shed again.
Same for any one else .

[1ponders]

15-09-2005, 11:41 AM

Thanks Mark. If I make it that ould be appreciated.:thumbsup:

dhumpie

15-09-2005, 01:13 PM

Might be able to swing this one. Were you going to Leyburn the weekend after Andrew?

Darren

astro_south

15-09-2005, 01:37 PM

Not 100% sure about Leyburn at the moment Darren, but it is more than likely. Darren, if you get to my place I can take you out to Glenore Grove on the 24th.

Striker

15-09-2005, 02:19 PM

Oh ok Paul...yeah it would be quicker going the inland route...just thought I would offer.

[1ponders]

15-09-2005, 02:22 PM

Thanks anyway Tony. :thumbsup:

mch62

17-09-2005, 11:12 AM

Andrew add Graeme (saturn%25) to the list.

Zubenel

17-09-2005, 03:14 PM

Just inquiring where Glenore Grove is?? Cheers from Zubenel

astro_south

17-09-2005, 03:53 PM

Glenore Grove is in the Lockyer Valley. While heading west on the Warego Highway towards Toowoomba you come to Plainlands (well before Gatton). Here you can turn left and go to Laidley, or you can turn right and go to Glenore Grove. The township is about 5 mins off the Warego Highway (heading north). It is about 3/4 of an hour drive from Brisbane.

If you are interested in going I can send you some more precise directions to get to Mark's house. It would be great to see some new faces there!

[1ponders]

18-09-2005, 07:42 PM

Guys, as much as I'd like to come down I will pass this time. Sorry. I would like to advance book a night though on either the 5th of Nov (3 days after new moon) or the 3rd of Dec (1 day after new moon)

Might as well start planning now :)

Striker

18-09-2005, 08:06 PM

No problem Paul.

Mark I may have to use your Celestron if thats ok.

What other scopes will be there on the night so far...besides Andrews Dob

[1ponders]

18-09-2005, 08:10 PM

What's wrong with your Orion Tony?

Iddon

18-09-2005, 08:24 PM

i will have Pauls old 8" meade there....

mch62

19-09-2005, 02:43 PM

Great to see some new names there in the attending list.
This a very casual get together which we do about once a month or when ever Andrew gets an urge for some dark skies :poke:.

Tony you can use the Celestron , no problemo or Grants SCT I am sure.
Are you going prime or piggy back??

As hard as I am trying it looks like the observatory scope won't be running .
More than likely it will be the following week.
Sorry guys, but not to worry looks like there will be a few scopes to share around and of coarse Andrews Newt will be there as usual.
Just hope he has cleaned that mirror :poke:

I would say the next get together will be the grand opening.
Got the computer installed , just loading programs and trying to get them to communicate with each other.
A bit like talking to a politician --a one way conversation. :D

Mark

P.S. incase any one is wondering where on earth is Glenore Grove -- it's about 3/4 hr west of Brisbane in the Lockyer valley not far from Gatton.
Nice dark skies with only some sky glow in the East to about 15-20 degs being Bris Vages.

Just PM myself or Andrew (Astro South) for directions.

astro_south

19-09-2005, 03:21 PM

Clean? :shrug: :shrug: What ever do you mean :D

Striker

19-09-2005, 03:23 PM

Nothing is wrong with the ED 80 but its mounted on the C11 with Guide rings.....Unless I pull it apart and use Marks celestron mount plate to fit on his EQ6 that might work but not going to bother if Marks already got his setup.

I dont have my mount ATM...its being tested at Star Optics.

Wahoo...Grant you dont mind taking a few pics through your scope...we wont do it all night...just a few pics if you like...and you can even take all the credit.

[1ponders]

19-09-2005, 03:30 PM

You can show him how to wedge mount an LX200 Tony. You've had plenty of experience with them :rofl:

dhumpie

19-09-2005, 04:49 PM

I might be able to drive myself out there Andrew as I told the boss and she seems receptive. I will decide closer to date but I should be able to make it out.

Darren

astro_south

19-09-2005, 05:05 PM

Great news Darren - ignore my e-mail just sent!

I have sent out a few PM's to locals to stir up some more interest (including Erwin - with the promise of some time with Tony's 20Da :thumbsup: ) - so we will see how that goes! It is a good roll up already and there is the likelyhood of more :) How much of the olive grove did you remove Mark?

Striker

19-09-2005, 05:29 PM

How about David (Westsky).

Come on David...we know your available....well actualy we dont but it sounds good.

astro_south

19-09-2005, 05:41 PM

I tried but he declined :( Apparently he is busy :confused: :poke:

Nicko

19-09-2005, 09:26 PM

Thank you for the invite to come along on Saturday 24/9. Alas I'm attending a wedding that evening so I can't make it. I would certainly like to come along to the next Grove get together though. It sounds like an ideal location for casual observing and great company :cool: I intend going up to see AstroRon on the next dark weekend.

Cheers,

Nicko

[1ponders]

19-09-2005, 09:41 PM

For those of us who are unable to make what is sounding like a great night at Marks place, Astroron has opened his doors for the following weekend. Just thought I'd let you know before I start a new thread.

Iddon

19-09-2005, 09:59 PM

Tony - sounds great. I havn't mounted the wedge before. Glad to hear you are experienced at this!!! I will try a few times in the daylight. My canon adaptors should be here by then - I will be very happy to do LOTS of imaging as I have only had one night of tinkering with the 300D in piggyback, so look forward to what you can teach me.

[1ponders]

19-09-2005, 10:03 PM

:lol: :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: I'm really sorry to disappoint you Grant, but I was only sticking it to striker. :ashamed: The rest of the gang can fill you in on the :poke: on the weekend. Its a long short story. If you read what is said beside his avatar you might get part of the joke.

Striker

20-09-2005, 01:02 PM

hahaha....the only wedge I have seen comes with Sour cream....I had the same scope as you except in a 10" but never got a wedge....Paul is just stirring.

I definetly have no experience with wedges...I have all the adapter and focal reducer for your scope so nothing else is needed.

Looks like a good turn out already....hope the weather stays away...there saying that front in WA is heading over here for the weekend....go away.

Iddon

20-09-2005, 07:12 PM

yeah - I had picked up on Paul's cynicism - was playing along with ya :) Gunna mount the wedge tonight adn see if I can get some shots of 47Tuc.

ErwinvdVelden

20-09-2005, 11:50 PM

Hi everyone,

Andrew just pointed out this get-together, but sadly I'll be on a dive trip that Saturday and won't be back home before 6 pm. I'll try to make it another time, always enjoy good company.

Cheers,

Erwin

Iddon

20-09-2005, 11:56 PM

played with that wedge tonight - sheez!! The mechanical setup bit is OK, but the star/polar alignment routine had me a little baffled!!

Rothbart

21-09-2005, 09:27 AM

Apologies from me as well. Unfortunately I will be away in Canberra on business over the weekend. Most of the time, I am Brisbane based and I hope to catch up with other IIS locals next time.

Rob MacLean

Celestron 8" on Vixen Super Polaris mount

astro_south

21-09-2005, 10:29 AM

Welcome to the forum Rob - will keep you informed on upcoming get togethers.

jjjnettie

21-09-2005, 11:07 PM

I don't think I'll be able to make it either. We'll be working the Coffee Cart all day Saturday, and wouldn't be up to an all night session after that (ironically.... should we be making our coffee stronger?).
I'm due for a weekend pass next month, so if anyone wants a get together then, let us know and I'll be happy to join up.

dhumpie

22-09-2005, 01:11 PM

Hey Jeanette,

I don't think it will be an all nighter unless you want it to. I will be heading home when the moon comes up :)

Darren

Striker

22-09-2005, 01:22 PM

Yeah the moon rise's just after midnight......good time for me to go home and get my beauty sleep.

dhumpie

22-09-2005, 05:27 PM

I think it will be a swell gathering. You should try to make it Jeanette and we can give your new dob the test run :)

Darren

Iddon

22-09-2005, 06:00 PM

ditto :)

jjjnettie

22-09-2005, 10:43 PM

Sorry, but you'll have to wait until the next time we all get together to play with my new toy. Have a great time on the week end.

mch62

24-09-2005, 08:38 AM

OK any one coming tonight had better bring the Aeroguard.
Was in the Observatory last night trying to get programs working and felt a bit anaemic after wards .
The warmer days have woken the Mozzies up.

looking nice and fine both here and on the Sat pics but will keep an eye on any developments.
About the only downer is some smoke from burn off's in the state forests.

Mark

Striker

24-09-2005, 08:44 AM

Np Mark.......I will be their around 5pm.

astro_south

24-09-2005, 08:57 AM

I should be out there and setting up from about 3:30pm. I might bring out my 4" ST refractor as well.

dhumpie

24-09-2005, 09:56 AM

I will probably leave here by 4pm so should be out there by 5pm latest. Bring the C6 since Andrew is brining the 4".

Darren

Striker

25-09-2005, 09:09 AM

Hi guys,

Had a good night last night....plenty of laughs as usual.

Thanks Mark and Andrew for organising the night.

I only took some widefield shots with my Canon 20DA on a tripod.

Here's 1 x 30 second frame 3200 ISO....very happy considering it was taken on a tripod....you can see the smoke cloud coming from the bottom right....their was a little smoke around but really didn't affect the night at all.

Here's a pic of the team who turned up also.

Thanks Guys.

astro_south

25-09-2005, 10:30 AM

Thanks Tony and thanks to everyone that came out - a good night was had by all I think. Also, thanks to Mark for supplying the venue :thumbsup:

The skies in the early part of the night were very good with Antares easily split in my 12.5" and the companion was also discernable in dhumpie's 6" newt. Around about 10pm a whisp of cloud / smoke came over but it didn't interfere too much with the observing.

The usual suspects on anyone's observing list were observed (47 Tuc, M4, M8, M20, M17, M16, M11, M15, M57, M27, Grus Quartet, Tarantula, Fornax Cluster, Saturn Nebula, Mars.....you get the idea)

I also observed the supernova in NGC1559 in the 12.5" dob quite easily.

As Tony mentioned there were quite a few laughs, one in particular was in the taking of the group photo in Tony's post. In the dark Tony was struggling to set his swanky new 20Da to timer so he could be in the shot too. We stood there for at least 5 minutes (probably closer to 10 mins) watching him push this button and that button broken up by the camera flash going off intermittently (some of which he warned us about - others were a surprise!). There were plenty of suggestions from the crowd as to how a disposable camera / cheap point and shoot camera would of had this shot minutes ago, there was even a suggestion that Darren could get up and sketch us quicker than Tony could get his pic to work, and a further suggestion that a nice oil painting could be done in the time also.

There were a few people there with scopes on order, so maybe next time we will fill Mark's available space in the olive grove with scopes!!

Iddon

25-09-2005, 10:45 AM

Guys - sorry I couldn't make it. I had a family event that afternoon that went much longer than planned, and once finished I did not have the time to make it over.

Mark - will post that laser and CD to you ASAP.

[1ponders]

25-09-2005, 10:07 PM

Glad to see you guys had a great time. Sorry I missed it. Tony how about putting a few names in your photo to introduce some of the new faces.

iceman

26-09-2005, 06:13 AM

Great shot Tony, sounds like a nice night and I agree with Paul, names on the photo please! :)

We were clouded out on the central coast so I'm glad you guys got some observing in.

dhumpie

26-09-2005, 01:52 PM

Yup it was a great night filled with good observing and even better banter (and laughs courtesy of Tony and his swank camera :) As Andrew mentioned we observed all the usual suspects, plus a few news ones to add to my "have seen and drawn" list. Finally bagged NGC 7793 in Sculptor. Nothing impressive there. Just a smudge of light with a hint of a starlike core in the 12.5". Highlights of the night would have to be the wide field scan of the milky way through Mark's 20x80 on Tony's tripod (nice and relaxing "overview: of our home galaxy), seeing the central bar and outswept arms of NGC 1365 through Andrew's 12.5" and the use of Xeelee's 60mm Bushnell to prove that small scopes do make an impact at dark sky sites. Resolution was eveident in the Ara glob in the 60mm!

Anyway,
Darren