Getting ready for star camp, well sort off!

[davidpretorius]

Packing the car...cases, chairs, scope, computer..... quick look outside..... gee there are no clouds, very still.......hmmm there is mars, no twinkles......

the scope is in the car....... i won't take it out, lets take the rubbish down to the road......down the drive and then i turn around and venus, mars, both magellenic clouds, the milky way are shining!!!!

gee mars is still not twinkling!!

oh bugga it, the only way to test the seeing is to get out the scope and the 12mm eyepiece to see if i can detail on mars.

ok out comes all the gear and i will pack later................

[ballaratdragons]

It is clear as a bell here too Davo! We have had horrific storms all day . . but now?

Wierd huh!

Don't forget to re-pack the scope :lol:

AND DON'T MISS THE BOAT! It's a long swim!!

[Stu]

Thanks Dave, this post made me remember that I haven't organised someone to look after my dog. To busy thinking about telescopes and eyepieces and seeing...

Sounds familiar...

[asimov]

Not weird, just FATE.....MATES!

[davidpretorius]

yep, 20 degrees above the horizon and i can see detail on mars at 100x.

so imaging is on for tonight!!!

[ballaratdragons]

Pack, un-pack, pack, un-pack. You really do need your missus!! :lol:

[asimov]

'never pass up an opportunity' I believe the moral here is folks!? :lol:

[Stu]

Hey maybe we should all pack our crappiest eyepieces and have a worst eyepiece competition. I think it would help define what is bad, at least for me anyway, and therefore help us define what is good too!

[davidpretorius]

and now it is raining!!!

[h0ughy]

Thats because you took full advantage of the viewing conditions Dave ;) ! It follows the laws of diminishing responsibilities :einstein: , focussed on one item, mars, forgot the rest of the environment :cloudy: . Nature gets you every time :P . So how quickly did you pack your car :driving: ?????

[acropolite]

Thanks Dave, did a heap of landscaping and grass seeding yesterday. Of course the first thing you want with new grass is rain, so I was intending on getting the LX out to bring on the rain, but you saved me the effort...:P

[slice of heaven]

Planets dont usually twinkle Dave, unless it's incredibly turbulent, so it's probably not advisable to use that assessment for seeing conditions.

[ballaratdragons]

I don't believe it!

Tonights sky (8:00p.m.) Transparency 9/10 - Seeing 9/10 :eyepop:

Very light breeze & mild/cool temperature.

[ballaratdragons]

8:30pm Update:

Transparency 10/10 - Seeing 9.5/10 :eyepop: :eyepop:

Very rare to have both figures so high at the same time!!!!!

I hope John & Anna are taking advantage of this great sky at the Motel tonight!!

[rumples riot]

Yeah same conditions here, setting up my scope is not an option. It is packed into the JMI case and to set it up now on the pier would be a hassle in the dark. Especially, trying to mount it on the wedge. That first screw is always the hardest. Besides I need lots of sleep tonight so that I can drive to the 5 hours to the Flinders. Poop, always the way.

[asimov]

The conditions are a far cry from that from where I'm sitting!....Get crackin' Ken!!

[ballaratdragons]

Crackin? I'm Packing! Seems stupid packing to go 2 kilometres up the road!! :P

[asimov]

We all do stupid things mate! :lol:

[ballaratdragons]

Me, never!!!!

well not in the last 10 minutes anyway! Umm, 5 minutes. . . . er . . oh shut-up.

[Wombat_In_Space]

Well trailer is all packed ready for the trip tomorrow, the car is going to have to wait till just before we leave as Murphy :( has struck and I have to get a new muffler fitted tomorrow at 1:30 so I will be leaving a little later than planed.:cool2:

[ballaratdragons]

Trailer????

How much stuff are you bringing Darren?

[asimov]

Murphy hit me pretty bad also, & I can't make it to camp full-stop.

[Wombat_In_Space]

Well there are the three scopes, one table,four chairs, one shade hut,12V Power pack, 2 laptops, camera, wife and kids; between them two bags, eypice case, I think thats it.:prey:

[ballaratdragons]

That is very sad news John. Unfortunate that it happened. We will post as many pics as possible and keep you & others up to date with what is happening.

I know it's not the same as being here, but I guess it's better than being kept in the dark (no pun intended).

Hope it all sorts itself out for you. Cheers mate! we will miss your company.

[asimov]

Not to worry! Things could be worse..:confuse2: ...couldn't they?......:confuse3: And as I write/type this it's starting to rain with a 15 knot wind.....:sad: :sad:

[ballaratdragons]

Darren, I know Astro gear belongs in the car but won't the wife & kids be cold in the trailer? :cold: :lol:

[davidpretorius]

sorry, back use of astroenglish.

i meant to say mars video isn't like jelly and also thru the 12mm, detail is present!