Pony Club in June

[Rick Petrie]

Hi all.
Just starting a thread to see all those going to next Pony Club viewing night.
As new moon on 23 June, I guess we could go on the Sat 20th June or if dicky weather, a back up date for maybe the 27th. Considering the amount of limited viewing lately there should be a record crowd at our next meet.
Cheers Rick:thumbsup:

[norm]

I'm hanging out Rick so either dates are fine by me, the scope is growing mould so I'm keen:thumbsup:

No more rain... Norm

[gb_astro]

I'm in.
(Hope I still have a date with a Nagler 31.)

Greg.

[sally1jack]

Can't make it to either night unfortunately:(, Save me a spot in Dob alley for next time.
Phil

[Arthur Alchin]

will give it my best to be there can someone make sure the weather is perfect please?? hehehe

[Allan_L]

After recent new moon disappointments at more distant sites, I am looking forward to one a bit closer to home! (viewing session that is, not dissapointment hehe!)

Count me in as a definite starter ! (subject to weather; wife; etc) :prey2::stargaze:

[Inmykombi]

Locked into the diary for the 20th....:party:

:prey2::prey2::prey2::prey2::prey2: :prey2:

[bones]

Should be there on the 20th.
Tony.

[Deeno]

Not sure if I can remember how to set up............:shrug:

[Inmykombi]

You can join me in getting out the instructions for the scope to set it up....:P
Its been a while hasnt it ?

[Allan_L]

:rofl::rofl::rofl: Funny! .... but too true :doh:

[telecasterguru]

I set up my scope on the balcony last night just to see if I could remember how to do it.
I must admit that it is a lot easier when you can see what you are doing because of the full moon.
Didn't actually get to see too many astronomical things though but it felt pretty good.
Hope to see everyone at the PC.

Frank

[Rodstar]

l am hoping to be there at this stage. I am keen to let the Terminagler loose....

[Arthur Alchin]

Is anybody looking at next sat night (20/6/) as a night up the mountain, will probably get there if there are a few going.

Want to try some new imaging software that i bought for the Mac called Nebulosity: anybody heard of it??

[Deeno]

Yup.
We have got to be due for some friendly conditons!!!

[Trent]

Not to long now, looking pretty forward to it.

Hopefully there are clear skys and all pans out well! :thumbsup:

[Rick Petrie]

I hope the Pony Club turns up some good weather for you Trent on your first visit.:)
Having said that, a look at the long range indicates that it could be an each way bet. :shrug:
Don't get me wrong, but the forecast may get better close to the day, as we've said this before and it's turned out great for those that have hung on.
Can I be so bold as to say in the words of a wise old "it will clear,trust me";)
Cheers

[Inmykombi]

I am in for this Saturday 20th, if the weather shows some promise....

Geoffro.

[Allan_L]

I gotta get up there!
I can't take it any more! :P:screwy:

[GTB_an_Owl]

we can always set up in the back room gents and look at the 'horsehead' if nothing else :whistle:

PS - you will notice i am not saying much about the weather

geoff

[sally1jack]

It will be clear for sure , BECAUSE I WILL BE AWAY !!!!!, :mad2:,
I've gotta plan thing better in the future.
Clear skies guys
Phil

[Inmykombi]

Or we could look toward the observing field and see the " Lagoon Nebula"
A social night may be in order anyway if the weather is less than desirable.

Hedgehogs, coffee and a few Ales may be in order.

[Rick Petrie]

With the amount of water we've had Geoffro, along with the 'Lagoon' I also think we will see some of the 'Wild Duck Cluster':rofl::lol:

[Deeno]

Might bring a deck of cards.
Poker anyone?:shrug:

[RB]

I've got a lot of work on atm but I'd love to try and make it anyway so hope to see you all there.

I'll be hunting for the cigar neb !

:whistle:

[sally1jack]

Wild duck cluster or more likely to be wild turkey cluster!!!:P
Phil

[Rick Petrie]

I think all these could definitely be 'ON THE CARDS'
:thumbsup::P

[gmbfilter]

The pony club had a big tidy up. The horse head finally got a decent burial
Who's to blame for this ******* #######!

[GTB_an_Owl]

OH NO! :eek:
an enquiry must surely ensue
i charge you with that resposibility Geoff (gmbfilter) :poke:

find the culprit(s), and bring them to justice i say :evil2:
Rod - prepare our brief

The Pony Club cannot be without it's Banner

geoff

[Inmykombi]

The weather doesnt look good I am afraid folks.

I may give it a miss and go to a BBQ afternoon / evening with one of my Sons.

Condolences for the Horsehead Nebula that has gone to meet its Maker... Sad news indeed....:sadeyes:

Geoffro.

[bones]

Maybe Rick took it to the SPSP to make up for the poor viewing conditions but left it there by mistake. :doh:. Last seen trotting off with some brumbies. It's a shame to see the Club mascot gone.


I'm still hoping to be up there if it's on but I'll be scopeless as I'm nursing a lower back injury that's been plaguing me for 6 weeks now and can't bring myself to packing the car. There is an upside to it with the weather because with all this rain and cloud I know I haven't missed out on too much viewing (because of my back).


By the way Mr Owl I looked at your website. Now I know where you get the confidence for timing on your predictions. And yes I can see why you have been quiet on the weather for this Saturday night. Are you still going? If so I might see you about a freezer suit fitting.

Tony

[Rick Petrie]

[QUOTE=bones;456115]Maybe Rick took it to the SPSP to make up for the poor viewing conditions but let it there by mistake.

Hey Bones, what's with the insinuation that I took the 'head'?:shrug:
I got a sneeky suspicion that the 'godfather' Mr Owl might have it in his bed.:P
Sorry to hear you have a back problem. Has it got anything to do with your call sign 'Bones'?
Hope to catch up at PC and if you are up to it, I might let you look through my scope.:whistle:
Cheers

[Arthur Alchin]

Not holding my breath for tomorrow night, weather sounds terrible. Maybe next weekend might be a goer, then we have to look at August.

Phil, hows that new Dob, had it out yet? will send you a pm

[bones]

You sound a bit defensive Rick ;)
But if the head's in Mr Owls bed, it raises the question who put it there?:shrug:

If you set up tomorrow night, I'll be more than glad to peek through your dob.:D

[ausastronomer]

The 18" Obsession should be back out of sick bay by tomorrow afternoon. If it is and the weather cooperates, I will take it up there tomorrow night.

Cheers,
John B

[gmbfilter]

Glad the 18 well again.

Don't think the weather will cooperate.

[bones]

Hey all just remembered - I think the Wisemans Ferry Road deviation in to Bloodtree Road as a result of Council works at Popran Creek might still be a happening thing too.

Anyone (including those with a key) still looking at heading up to the Pony Club tonight (20th) - rain, cloud, or whatever the weather does :shrug: ????

[GTB_an_Owl]

i'm tempted - but i think i will stay home

geoff

[Rick Petrie]

Weather here has been woeful all day and just looking at the radar there is a whole lot more cloud descending on us from the west...Not happy Jan.:mad2:
I think like you Geoff, I might just stay at home. Maybe next Saturday.:shrug:
Was really looking forward to getting under some decent sky. Oh well!
Cheers

[bones]

Ah well, looking at the latest responses from Rick and Mr Owl and the earlier ones indicating a no show it looks like I'll give tonight a miss as well. We'll see what happens next weekend eh? Till next time...

[gmbfilter]

Bugger
Better luck next week

[Allan_L]

But the sky looks really clear here now.
I was just thinking it may be OK?

[RB]

Oiy, who said it's not on tonight ???
It's clear patches of sky here !!!

If anyone else wants to come up, I'll join in.

C'mon you regulars........I'll bring the Meade !!!

Let me know asap if it's go tonight ....... :)

[h0ughy]

you control the weather i am sure:whistle:

[GTB_an_Owl]

he can do anything after half a bottle of Meade Dave

geoff

[Deeno]

Wasn't sure you actually owned a telescope RB :P

[h0ughy]

I know he has several cucumbers:rofl:

[RB]

Sorry can't hear you guys, I'm outside taking some lovely 12 min subs in Scorpius....:P

[RB]

Gee....shame you guys didn't come up.
The only thing spoiling the views are the damn satellites.

:P

[GTB_an_Owl]

yes RB - i believe you

and i'm outside getting rain drops in my eyes when i try to find them satelites your talking about

by the way - where is your weather site - time you got it on the net
i could put you up a temporary site if you want

geoff

[Inmykombi]

Maybe I should have gone up....

Down here I can still here the rain hitting the Tin Roof....:(

I would crawl through some broken glass to see Scorpio with a Satellite or two....:eyepop:

[Deeno]

Looks to be a short exposure......Between the clouds, showers and perhaps even the same fog I have here:whistle:

You aint foolin' nobody:rolleyes:

[RB]

Yeah, I was planning to send you a PM about it Geoff.
We'll talk soon.


Well we could've all got together and washed our mirrors last night at least. :(

[Allan_L]

Tonight's the night !

[GTB_an_Owl]

to wash our mirrors Al ?

geoff

[Allan_L]

No Geoff!!!
When I leave the office in ten minutes or so, for the first time today, I expect a crystal clear {black} sky ... [pause for effect]...
...and I intend grabbing a scope or binos or anything and heading up to the Club.

Lets hope it is the :astron: club ... but the :drink:club is also a chance !

[RB]

Allan, I'd join you, but I'm working all night, every night this week. :(

It's looking good here btw.
Hope you have a great night.

:thumbsup:

[astropolak]

That's the spirit !!!, I saw the post too late to act...

How about tomorrow night, any blessed key holders going?

[gb_astro]

Anyone desperate enough to try the 27th?
Moon is two days off first quarter, setting at about 2200.
Weather Underground is predicting about 50% cloud cover, 20% chance of rain. After that, July is looking pretty wet.

Greg.

[GTB_an_Owl]

there are plenty of desperates up here Greg

geoff

[Inmykombi]

Another desperate here,

I cant make it next weekend.
I am goin to Sydney to see my Son and Daughter-in-law and the Grandkids.:D
Oh and eat Pizza too I guess.

Hope you all have a great night.

[astropolak]

Did anyone (obviously less desperate than me) bother to stick their head out of .... the house to look outside last night? We have missed a great nights viewing, it was very steady and quite clear.
For that you will be punished with another 6 months of crappy weather....

Over and out...

[Rodstar]

Well Joe it may have been clear in Sydney, but at least from my vantage on the Central Coast, we were engulfed by thick fog. I had taken all of the preparations....kids in bed early, wife ensconced in bed watching the Sopranos, scope out cooling etc etc, came out with a head full of ideas about what I was going to observe, then my heart sank! I might as well have been standing inside a cloud.

I am interested in a jaunt up to the Pony Club on Saturday night. The moon will not be a major interference, especially given that it is setting so early. Let's hope the weather co-operates.

[GTB_an_Owl]

morning Joe

i thought about a trip to the mountain last nite - but glad i did only "thought"

the dew was that bad here, i recorded 0.3 of rain last nite

before going to bed this morning i checked the car was all locked up and noticed all the path around it was as wet as
literally dripping of every edge
it may as well have been raining

sat is not looking good - but i am hoping



geoff

[astropolak]

Geoff and Rod
It was indeed very wet here too last night but incredibly steady and I have managed to squeeze a little time observing, had great Saturn views even though its well past its best and some amazing views of globulars, most notably Omega Centauri...
Unfortunately the light pollution takes most of the fun out of observing here and I need to go places away from it...

Just to clarify.., I am in for any night, week or weekend as long as there is a good chance of clear skies.

Joe

[RB]

Yeah me too Joe, I'd love to go to the PC any night when I'm not working.

[Allan_L]

Count me in too.
Any night!
Except tonight
:scared3:
:bashcomp:
go the blues


Can I get a key, please master key holders.

[GTB_an_Owl]

sorry folks

i am unable to attend Sat nite (even if it rains) :(

have to ferry my grandkids to port macquarie for the weekend to see their father

could another key holder please put their hand up to open the gates

geoff

[gmbfilter]

I'm up for it! :thumbsup:

[GTB_an_Owl]

thanks Geoff

geoff

[bones]

Sorry guys, can't make Saturday night. I'm still crook & in need of the rest over the weekend. (Boy oh boy, have I missed out on some clear nights this last week because of this lurgy).

[Rodstar]

Great news Geoff! Sounds like at least you and I and Joe will be there!!

Looks like my mother-in-law may be staying with us over the weekend, so the Pony Club is becoming increasingly attractive....:scared:

[iceman]

I can't make it this weekend - I have a karate tournament on Sunday. :scared:

[RB]

I might be there but won't know for sure till tomorrow.

[Allan_L]

I might be there, but won't know for sure till Sunday. :)

[Allan_L]

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl: I feel your pain! See you at the PC

[Rodstar]

See you there Allan! Actually, The Old Duck is quite fun to have around, and at the moment she is recovering from surgery, so she is pretty subdued!

[Arthur Alchin]

have non exotic version of the flu, can't brag about piggy stuff, catch you all in August. need to hear from geoff's or Phil about august arrangements

[Allan_L]

Hi Arthur,
Sorry to hear you are sick :sadeyes:

Hope to catch up with you again in August ;)

[sorry little off topic]
Just noticed you have Meade 9x63s on tripod.

I bought a pair of those up at SPSP.
And I am looking for a recommendation for a good tripod.
What one do you have? Do you use it Astro or terrestrial mainly? What would you recommend for astro use? [end off topic :)]

[Allan_L]

Hey Rodstar! You Might as well bring her along!

I hear it looks like being good weather .......for ducks ! :wink2:


:cloudy:

[gmbfilter]

Packed (almost) and ready to go!
Probably get there 6:30---7:00

[RB]

I just got in the door, so it's on for tonight I assume?
Who else is going?

I'll be there latter on, I'll bring the Meade. :P

See you guys later.

[Allan_L]

Hey RB.
Whats the weather like up there?

Am I going?
I used to be a procrastinator!
But now I'm not so sure :P

[RB]

Weather is overcast but will be clearing later.
Temperature will go down to around 7 C, humidity will be on the high side.

You can check out the latest at my weather site, I haven't hooked up the weathercam yet though:

http://www.mangroveweather.com/

See you there.
:)

[Allan_L]

OK
Thats good enough for me.
I will be there around 6:30 I am guessing.

[Deeno]

Got to admire the optimism you guys display but,

http://icons-pe.wxug.com/i/c/a/nt_chancerain.gifSaturday Night
Chance of Rain. Scattered Clouds. Low: 6 °C . Wind light. Chance of precipitation 20% (trace amounts). Windchill: 5 °C .

If it clears I'll set up at home and watch the Moto GP later.

Have fun and
happy viewing

[Rodstar]

The weather looks dreadful here....I am keen for some photons, but you guys sure are optimistic....I might hold back an hour or two to see if it clears before committing one way or another....but I have to say it is not looking good.

[gb_astro]

Likewise from Sydney.
Might leave it till about 7 to make a decision.
(Knew I should not have bought that 31N this morning!)

gb.

[RB]

C'mon you guys, it will be a good night later on, get up here !!!

I've got the Meade ready to go. ;)

[Rick Petrie]

I have been sitting here waiting for something to happen in the way of clearing, but alas complete cloud cover and the radar etc. doesn't look very good.:mad2:
Like everyone I have been optimistic, but Saturday nights have been a bummer lately.
Might just stay at home and keep looking up every hour or so to see if any changes might transpire.:shrug:
Where did you hear it would clear RB?(poet and I don't know it)
PS Just started precipitating.

[GTB_an_Owl]

Soooooo

did it clear around midnite ?

geoff

[Deeno]

So
Did anyone head up?
Looked like it was clearing around 10.
Complete cloud cover at 1.15 (Got up to watch MotoGP)

[Rodstar]

Well I went outside to check at about 9.15pm, and it had cleared beautifully. I decided to get the scope out to do some backyard observing, but by about 9.30 it had clouded over again!

The Saturday night hoodoo continues....

[Allan_L]

Thanks RB for talking me intio going up!
Had a great night, me and gmbfilter.
But as our recent Miss Australia put it above,
where were ya?:poke:
I definitely spotted enough stars to do a 3 star set up. :cloudy:

Worth the trip?:driving:

Well Geoff and I solved all the problems of the world.:argue:
And ridded the world of a large amount of evil Bourbon!
I think :drink::cheers: :drink:

[RB]

Yeah I'm sorry I didn't make it Allan, my eldest son who's been sick the last few days with a bug, took a turn for the worst last night with high fever and stomach cramps.
My wife and I took turns staying up keeping an eye on him through the night.
His sleeping now but we may need to get him to see a doctor again if he doesn't improve.

:(

[GTB_an_Owl]

so did the bourbon bit answer my question ?

geoff

[gmbfilter]

Its Sunday
So I must have been there last night
Great company plenty of bourbon
Not so many stars

BTW Geoff freezer jacket + freezer suit = very warm just the thing for sitting around drinking

Hope number 1 son gets well RB

Don't remember anyone else being there...

[RB]

Thanks Geoff, we're keeping an eye on him, the doctor on call thinks there's a chance it may be pneumonia but won't know for sure till we take him in.

Again, sorry I missed last night, I was looking forward to catching up.