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View Full Version here: : Mangrove Mountain Pony Club This weekend?


gmbfilter
28-01-2009, 05:55 PM
Anyone up for it?

Mike I notice you suggest Thurs or Friday that could be good for me too

Joe If you want to go Thurs I'll organize a key

astropolak
28-01-2009, 06:26 PM
ANY DAY, any day at all as long as we have clear skies I am in. I am desperate to do some decent observing. I had a look at the light pollution map and the Terry Hills site may not be any better than my backyard....unfortunately.

Joe

iceman
28-01-2009, 06:54 PM
I'm definitely keen, haven't been under darker skies (than my backyard) for some months now. Probably since IISAC actually, and those skies weren't dark, they were cloudy!

I'll talk to my wife to commit on a preferred day.

RB
28-01-2009, 07:01 PM
I've done my back in again so I have to take it easy, but if there was any night you guys should be there it's TONIGHT !!

It's clear as a bell out there !!!!

:(

iceman
28-01-2009, 07:45 PM
Friday night!
I'm there!

Unfortunately the weather will be so hot that my images from the Canon will be very noisy i'm sure.

Still, will be good to get out amongst it.

I'll be there around 8ish.

Do I need to get the key or will someone get there before me?

ausastronomer
28-01-2009, 08:43 PM
I might try and come along on Friday. I may not have time to bring a scope, having to work all day, but at least I can be there for the social side of things. I need an observing fix considering I was too sick to go Coonababrabran last weekend, with Rod and Andrew.

Cheers,
John B

gmbfilter
28-01-2009, 10:03 PM
Sounds like Friday

I'll try to get there 7:30ish

RB self medication in a random way, that's the answer.

RB
29-01-2009, 12:45 AM
:whistle: :lol:

GTB_an_Owl
29-01-2009, 12:47 AM
friday is good for me too i guess

don't like our chances sat

geoff

sally1jack
29-01-2009, 11:18 AM
I'll come along on friday at 8.00 , hope for a clear sky
Phil

zardos123
29-01-2009, 12:20 PM
is any one going to the pony club on thursday night?

iceman
29-01-2009, 12:36 PM
Hi
I can't make it tonight (Thursday), since i'm going tomorrow night :)

David
29-01-2009, 05:16 PM
I will try to make it tomorrow, won't be able to make it till after 9:30 if that's ok

gb_astro
29-01-2009, 06:50 PM
I am in for Friday, but not until about nine.

Greg.

Inmykombi
29-01-2009, 08:33 PM
I am in for Friday Night.

I will be there about 7-7.30 or so.


Geoffro.

Inmykombi
29-01-2009, 08:34 PM
[quote=iceman;405744]Friday night!
I'm there!

Unfortunately the weather will be so hot that my images from the Canon will be very noisy i'm sure.

___________________________________ ___________________________________ ________________


Mike, you better blow the dust of those eyepieces and do some visual observing then.:whistle:

Geoffro.

bones
29-01-2009, 09:05 PM
I've got a few things on tomorrow afternoon after work, but will try to make it if I can. If I make it, probably won't be till after 9pm or so.

Rick Petrie
29-01-2009, 10:38 PM
Guess I'm there, as the weather charts are lookin' awesome for friday night.......bring it on.:jump2:
Probably there around 7-30 ish.
Should be a good rollup.:thumbsup:

Inmykombi
30-01-2009, 06:18 PM
All packed and ready to go.

See you all there.

Geoffro.

Octane
30-01-2009, 06:34 PM
I'd love to attend, but, having only had four hours shut eye last night, I think it'd be a pretty stupid idea to hop in the car and drive 4.5 hours right now.

I hope you guys have a great night, and, I will see you at the next meet.

Regards,
Humayun

Deeno
30-01-2009, 09:54 PM
Have a good night. Wish it was Saturday night.....

iceman
31-01-2009, 06:48 AM
Was a lovely night last night. About 10 people showed up I guess.

Weather was beautiful, a bit blowy at times and some very light high streaks of cloud at one point, but it cleared away nicely.

My first deep space imaging since IISAC2008 so I was very out of practise. Took me ages to drift align, and of course I forgot the US->AU power adapter to power my 350D. Lucky David had a battery charger there so I just used batteries.

I imaged the Rosette but gee it's faint with an unmodded camera. And the warm night was a killer for noise. Won't be able to process it for a while but I don't know how it'll come out.

Anyway was great company and great to be amongst it again.

gb_astro
31-01-2009, 11:15 AM
Yes, great company as usual.
Unfortunately for most of the night it was one of those wide field, low magnification type skies.
Still good.
Interesting to try the Friday night.
Two days to get the body clock back on track.

gb.

Rodstar
31-01-2009, 11:35 AM
Yes, thanks to everyone for the company and for letting me look through so many scopes and bino contraptions. It was a nice change to leave my scope at home, and wander the field.

I particularly enjoyed the views in gb's binos, given the seeing was really only 2/5 at best nothing at high power was really worth looking at in the larger scopes.

It will be great to see the new SDM next month, Greg. I hope you master the setting up operation in the meantime. Happy to assist next time as much as I can.

Tallstock
31-01-2009, 11:51 AM
Thank you everybody for the warm welcome.
I now feel more confident about tackling my "sticky" dob mount problem.
Collimation is also on my "to do" list.
I really appreciated the encouragement.
Peter

GTB_an_Owl
31-01-2009, 01:50 PM
good to see everyone last nite

not a top viewing nite - but at least no clouds

could not believe how bad the sky glow from Sydney was last nite

geoff

bones
31-01-2009, 02:43 PM
Top night, enjoyed the best views I've had for quite some time. After packing up at 1am ... thanks Geoff for the view of Comet Lulin Geoff. This was my first view of it. Rick thanks for the view and info. I always get something fresh from you. Till next time the Stargate Cluster and many many more await you...

Rick Petrie
31-01-2009, 07:33 PM
Always enjoy the company and even though skies weren't top class there was still plenty of objects that were OK.
Welcome to Peter and I enjoyed your enthusiasm. Sounds like a few mods we'll see next time on the SW? I also don't think it will be long before Phil invests in a tube of some description. Hope everyone has given you food for thought.
Thanks for all the views through everyone's scopes-pies,coffee and all the goodies.
See Yawl next PC.:thumbsup:

Arthur Alchin
31-01-2009, 09:41 PM
wish i could have made it, worked 12 hr night shift wed, thu and fri, maybe next time. Te skies looked good from the windows

RB
01-02-2009, 11:05 AM
Sorry I missed it guys, sounds like you all had a good night.

Hopefully I'll catch up with you next time.

:)

Octane
01-02-2009, 11:19 AM
Guys,

I'm so glad to hear you had a good night. About darn time we got one!

Look forward to catching up at the next meet.

Regards,
Humayun

Tallstock
02-02-2009, 02:04 PM
"Sticky" SWFLEX8 dob az mount.
Success!
Went to Bunnings at Tuggerah and found a 305mm "lazy susan" for $35. Sold under the brand name of "Prestige". Installed (no mods needed) swivel assembly today and can't believe how smooth the action is.
Website http://www.itwproline.com.au/HSSwivelAssemblies/default.aspx for all those other dob users having trouble with "stiction" --- sounds so much better than "sticky" or jerky.
Special thanks to Rick for his time and suggestions and all the others who helped me solve this problem.
Peter