Observing Night

[Quark]

Hi All,

This is an image taken by fellow IIS member Kevnool at our astronomy groups recent observing night.

Kev used the self timer on his camera to capture our scopes. He is a little out of breath as this was the third attempt, the previous two the timer took the shot before Kev, at full gallop, could get in position.

It is a good shot of his highly modified GSO 16" Dob and my 12" Lightbridge, which also is highly modified. Both scopes are equipped with Argo Navis computers which performed flawlessly through out the night.

We were set up by 7pm with the rest of our group turning up at about 8pm along with a reporter from our local ABC radio.
We always set up on tarps which we secure with tent pegs. The tarps prevent dust being raised as people walk around the scopes through the night and if something is dropped it doesn't end up in the dirt.

Regards
Trevor

[erick]

Nice machines! Operators a bit of a suspicious looking crew, however. Is that prison uniform in Broken Hill?

Any dingos? :eek:

How did the evening go? (Or did I miss a thread - I'll search!)

Tarp on dirt - good idea. I find regular el-cheapo tarp on grass not the best, especially when I roll around on my wheelie chair! I must get something tougher - maybe some tough canvas.

ps. post the first two shots :D

[Quark]

Hi Eric,

There is a report on our groups observing night on the Observational Astronomy Forum, no there not prison uniforms, but now that you mention it we do look a bit suss:rofl::rofl::rofl:. No dingo,s either but there were a few Roo's in the area and when we were driving back out to the main road at about 1:30am there were a few rabbits.

We don't have dingo's out here Eric, they were all wiped out by the local Western Tiapans, most venomous snake on the planet.:whistle:

Not sure whether Kev will trust me with the other two photo's.

Regards
Trevor :thumbsup:

[erick]

Woops! I had missed it - sorry Trevor and Kev. Great report. I occasionally dream about pulling my 12" to Broken Hill, but stopping somewhere 150km short of BH to observe. Sigh. One day! :prey:

[gary]

Hi Trevor, Hi Kev,

Thanks for posting this fabulous self portrait.

The crew look very dapper and the scopes look ready for action.

We certainly are envious of your observing locale! :thumbsup:

Best Regards

Gary

[iceman]

Matching shirts! :)

Nice photo, lovely spot to observe from I bet.

[Kevnool]

Here you go Eric you can now laugh to your hearts content ...
Not even Trevor has viewed these disasterous shots...
Man i was out of breath.
Enjoy.. :screwy: ...Cheers Kev.

[Tilt]

Athletics and Astronomy, well done :lol:

Michael

[astroron]

Well done guy's glad you enjoyed your night's observing:)
I maybe going to Perth later on this year, I will make it a point to drop by
That must be Kev's favourite Shirt, it's the one in his avitar:P

[kinetic]

Funny stuff, great to hear about the night guys. I'm glad BH skies
didn't let you down.

Kev, Trevor is just demonstrating the principle: always keep the
competition at arms length! :)
Caption: " hey Kevin , back on your own mat please"

Steve

[Kevnool]

Youve a good eye Ron even I didnt notice that.
We all must have a Fave.

Cheers Kev.

[Kevnool]

Thats a funny caption as well Steve ....cant stop laughing.
Cheers Kev.

[erick]

You're a good sport, Kev! Thanks! I got this new secondhand camera and I have a little infrared thing where I just push a button and it goes click all by itself! Just what you needed, I think.

[bluescope]

I like the big black Dob ... nice scope Kev.

The 12" lightbridge is cool too Trev no offense :)

:thumbsup:

[Quark]

Hi Steve,

Kev's scope sure is a pearler. The modifications he has made are a credit to him, for a guy that has only really discovered astronomy over the last couple of years, he has taken to it with great zest. We are all very proud of Kev.

To have a look at the modifications Kev has made check out his thread on the subject at this link.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=38034

Regards
Trevor

[gary]

Hi Kev,

Don't worry. Even Jackie Chan movies have the out-takes at the end. :thumbsup:

[Kevnool]

Your a funny man Gary.
Thank Eric for pressuring me into posting the outakes then.
Cheers Kev.

[RB]

LOL these are great pics guys.
Love the location, looks like an idyllic place to have a private fashion parade !! :whistle:

Seriously though must be a great site to observe from.

:thumbsup: