Last Astro Night at Cambroon

[astroron]

The last AstroNight at my observatory site at Cambroon will be held onSaturday the 3rd December weather permitting, this will be the last time till Feb 2006.
Dennis (nightshift) will be in attendance with his new 12" Dob which has had very little use since he got it due to the lousy weather we have been having,so he is desperate to give it a shake under dark skies.
If you require directions PM me or Paul(1 ponders) or search these forums for a map.
There is plenty of room for camping and some space in the house, (throw a matteress on the floor) or even the varander.
I look forward to a good turnup for the last AstroNight of 2005.
Lets all pray for good weather :prey: :prey: :prey: :prey: :astron: :stargaze:

[[1ponders]]

I'll be there with bells on Ron. I'll be able to give the new G11 a good try out. Yep it finally arrived today. Yahooooooo :cool::cool::cool::cool::cool:

what say we make a bit of a Xmas Bar-B-Que while were at it?

[Striker]

I'm in.....I'm a sucker for food.....lol.

Weather pending.

I want to see your g11 in action Paul....

At the moment I just fantasize over my G11 sitting on the pool table awaiting Extra parts....it's in a bullet proof glass case with laser security installed.

Not sure what my plans are...would like to stay the night but I dont have a tent and the ute would be very uncomfortable.

I think Ron should supply a B&B arrangement...hehehehe

We can all just bring something...

Striker Bread rolls
Paul sausages
Ron may have the BBQ and Gas
Others could bring a salad, steaks, onions, chicken the list goes on,

Dam..I'm hungry now...bye

[[1ponders]]

Plenty of floor space and lounge space in the lounge room Tony. Oh it'll be there Tony, but remember I don't have the Gemini so it's not going to do all the things your's will.

Are you bringing your eq6? You'd better bring your #%$$*^ camera or we mightn't let you in the gate. :lol:

[astroron]

We always have a BBQ I have a spare tent also lots of room on the veranda,It's my birthday on th 30th this month so its so its a bit of a celebration as well.
I can get extra mattreses if required. :thumbsup: :whistle: :astron: :stargaze: :cheers: :clap: :clap: :clap: astroron

[Striker]

My EQ6 Skyscan is on it's way from Rob Tasco....so it should be here..well better be here by early next week.

I need to sort out how I am going to mount the orion 80ED on the EQ6 with a piggyback plate that will accomidate the losmandy DCM camera mount for the 20DA.

If you have any losmandy plates that will fit let me know.

I may have to use my elcheapo ring set up but either way they will both be there.

I may go shopping for a mattress and portable spa bath.

P.S Dont worry about the tomato for me.....I'm happy with Bacon, eggs, lamb chops and 2 slices of thick toast for my first course breakfast meal...lol

Is there a menu.?????

[[1ponders]]

Gees if I wan't going away without SHSMM (She Who Supports My Madness) for the weekend the previous weekend I'd make a Friday - Saturday night out of it and make it a serious observing weekend.

Have good Wednesday next week Ron. Don't wear yourself out too much before the weekend. :drink: :stargaze: :party: :party: :party: :lol:

[astro_south]

Guys

Add my name as a possible at the moment - sounds like a great idea. Tony if I am going up and your only bringing your camera, swag and bread rolls I should be able to fit you in.

[Striker]

Thanks Andrew,

But I should be taking my EQ6 and ED80 plus other gear so I should throw that in the back of the ute....Saying that I could give you a lift if you want to stop by my place on the way through.....I'm only just off the gateway arterial just before the bridge...only 2 streets away....you can even put your car under cover here in the locked garage.

It's your call.

[davidpretorius]

have fun you guys, it sounds like fun!!

[astro_south]

Thanks for the re-offer Tony, but I am cool to travel up there...I like to use my boot as a work space. Although I'm not confirmed for going just at the moment, I'll make the offer open to anyone else in Brisbane (with very little gear) who wants a lift up. Naturally I will be staying overnight.

[Nightshift]

I'll be there for sure, weather permitting, we all have some new gear so it is likely to rain for forty days and forty nights though. If it gets any wetter Paul I wont make it down the Obi road!!!!! Would a 12" dobbie tube make a good canoe? I'm in with the snags too. Sounds like a good night.

[[1ponders]]

Let's hope it rains itself out this weekend. It certainly trying to atm.

[jjjnettie]

Have a great time guys. I wish I could make it.

[dhumpie]

Hey Andrew count me in if you are going my way :) Have never been to Ron's so it will be fun...

Darren

[astro_south]

I'm an almost certain starter, so you can hitch a ride with me Darren. Let's hope the weather plays the game!

[astroron]

If you are camping,or need accomadation, please PM or email me.I am hoping for good weather.Thanks astroron:thumbsup: :astron: :campfire: :stargaze:

[Striker]

I have PMed you Ron.

We need to organise who's bringing what.

I would be safe to say we bring our own drinks.

I will bring say 12 bread rolls and 2 loafs of bread....if more are coming I will get more bread rolls.

[[1ponders]]

That should be heaps Tony:lol: I'll grab a coupla dozen snags.

I'll take my usual place on the lounge room floor Ron :)

[Striker]

I'll take the penthouse with room service...if thats already taken...anywhere there is a roof.

[astroron]

I'll provide the BBQ, you bring your own meat and drinks , I have PMd you on the other things. It might be handy if you also brought a chair.astroron :thumbsup:

[Nightshift]

I will go home around midnight Ron but if you need to you could always throw a tarp over that unfinished shed down the bottom of the yard for a few of them. Because I have the new dob and lots of other stuff I might turn up a little earlier, say around three as I want to play with collimation etc. I have to go to hospital on Tuesday for minor surgery and am on a pre-admission diet so I wont be BBQ'ing unfortunately, I will just borrow your microwave for 5 minutes if thats OK. See ya then.

[Striker]

Ok it's looking like it's going to be a bit difficult organising who brings what.

So everyone can just bring what they want to eat on the BBQ

I will bring 2 loaf's of bread as well...saves everyone going to the bakery.

[Striker]

I had some major hick ups with my tube rings that I ordered from the states...cut a long story short....they forgot to mention they were out of stock and only found out once the parcel arrived short my most wanted item the tube rings...you should see all the preasure I am putting on them for their mistake.

Anyway..I wanted to get something going for this weekend's Star Party at Ron's....so thanks to Paul(1Ponders) help for lending me a Losmandy dovetail plate to drill into, I have atleast got it fitted and working well.

I will have Mick's EQ6 modified dovetail to adapt once received but I'm glad I have got something working for now just in case.

The camera feels nice and sturdy sitting on top of the losmandy DCM camera adapter and dovetail.

So I am ready to go...

[[1ponders]]

Tony, if you don't sell your manfrotto before the weekend bring it with you. It might come in handy.

[Striker]

No problem Paul....will do.

I take full responsibility for the Hail we just received in brisbane...I new I shouldn't of been playing with some new parts today...sorry

[Nightshift]

Well at this point in time (Friday afternoon) it is rained in as far as the eye and radar can see, only a miracle could make tomorrow night happen at this rate, still, never know, I leave my decision until Sat afternoon. If it clears it could produce excellent seeing after all this rain, stranger things have happened. Maybe see you there.

[Striker]

The prediction is for it to be clearing saturday and fully clear on Sunday.

I too are going to wait till about lunch time tomorrow...then make a call.

[dhumpie]

I will be coming up with Andrew if the weather is good. Paul I will bring the copyscope up with me if I do go up. Here is praying that the fine tomorrow means cloudless skies. The bureau has predicted fine weather in the past and the skies were clear but full of clouds. But ever the optimist, I think tomorrow night is going to be a blast! See you all at Ron's.....

Darren

p/s: have a new ep to test out. The 20mm Widescan III just came in the mail two days ago......

[Striker]

It's looking better and better...thats the weather forcast that is...their saying maybe a little cloud in the morning fining up to be a sunny afternoon Saturday and sun all day Sunday.

I know looking outside at terential rain as I type this reply does not look promising....but we cant give up.....keep pushing those clouds out to sea...

[Striker]

Have we decided that everyone will just bring their own food and drinks for the BBQ.

Just remember I will bring a loaf of fresh bread so if someone is happy bringing their own sausages their will be bread there for you.

I myself am bringing a slice or 2 of steak.....and maybe a chicken breast....and off course the loaf of bread.

Did I mention the bread...lol

[[1ponders]]

Thanks Darren, that would great. I can test drive it on the new mount and see how it works as a guidescope. Along wih everything else I want to do after being stuck inside since the start of October.

I'll bring some snags. Tony is that buttered bread :)

[astro_south]

I will probably just bring up a left over to nuke up in Ron's incubator (and my usual observing supplies - coffee, snacks, coffee, and probably some coffee)

looking forward to it!

[Striker]

No Butter...going to pick a loaf from the bakery on the way.

Butter make's you fat and you will turn out looking like me.......so I am doing you a favour.

[Striker]

If it was up to my wife regarding weather this is her.

She would be adding as much cloud as possible.

"No you cant go to Rons place Saturday night."

http://www.users.on.net/~striker/AusSatLGE.jpghttp://www.users.on.net/~striker/woman_spraying_fire_extinguisher_lg _nwm.gif

[Argonavis]

Well the weather was very permitting and a star spangled night was enjoyed by Darren, Andrew, Tony, Paul, Astroron and a fair few other who turned up for the last event of 2005 with Astroron. Many thanks to Astroron for hosting us. Some of us may see the new year in at Cambroon Observatory, hoping the weather will be as superlative as last night.

[astroron]

Twenty two people where in attendence last night at Cambroon ,nine iceinspacers,Bill(Argo Navis),Dennis (nightshift) Paul(1 ponders), Andrew(astrosouth),Darren(dhumpie), Tony(striker) wes (zubenell) Mike (?) and yours truly (astroron) plus twelve friends, the weather gods where very kind to us with a clear sky and very little dew till around 10:30pm,lots of imaging was done by Paul and Tony.
Dennis gave his new 12" a good workout, with Andrew 12.5" Bill 25" Ron 16" Wes 10" doing our deep sky stuff, Darren was doing his sketching(not sure what size scope?) and the visitor enjoying looking through the variety of scopes.
We eventualy called a night at 03:30
the BBQ worked overtime with lots of snags and steaks sizzerling away and not to forget the liquid refreshment that was consumed
All in all a very enjoyable night was had by all. astroron :thumbsup: :astron: :stargaze:

[Striker]

It was a great night...thanks for putting on the night Ron.

I had never seen Bills 25 inch DOB...what a piece of art that is......very very impresive Bill(Argonavis)

Here's the little beast.

I'm sure their are others who have some happy snaps of the night.

[gaa_ian]

Sounds like a great night !
I hope I can co-ordinate one of my trips to Brisbane with one of your starparties next year.
We had a great Sat night here too :)
See Thread: "NT- Clear Blue Skies"

[dhumpie]

It was a grrreeeaaattt night other than the fact that the fog rolled in at 3am. Anyway we had great skies, great company...great everything. I will get some photo's up when I have finished downloading them. BTW how did the testing go Paul ;)

Darren

[[1ponders]]

Haven't had a chance yet Darren. Needed sleep last night. But I'm out tonight so I'll give it a go later on and let you know. That's if I don't melt first.I'm sitting out in the back yard at the moment waiting for it to get dark enough to drift align and it's 32 deg and 75% RH. And the mozzies are like vultures :doh::doh::doh:

There is a bit of high cloud but all in all it looks like its going to be a fine night. Fingers crossed.

[astro_south]

Here are some field shots from Saturday night

- Paddock shot
- another paddock shot (including my scope)
- my scope
- Paul's (1ponder's) setup
- Tony's (Striker) setup
- Darren (dhumpie) and his scope
- Dennis' (Nightshift) setup
- Bill's (Argonavis) setup in progress

The night was great - saw at least 4 slow burning bright meteors. Only downer was the fog moving in around 3pm.

[Dennis]

Great images and great reports guys - sounds like you all had a ball!

Cheers

Dennis

[dhumpie]

Nice shots Andrew. And thanks for the lift there. Very much appreciated :) I have still not gotten round to downloading the photo's. Will try to do that tonight. BTW tried out the Widescan III last night in the Orion 80ST (yup Paul it was sweltering out there last night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). Nice pinpoint stars in the center and only some distortion towards the very fringes of the field...I say sharp till about 1/4 out like what we saw in your f/6. I think it is a good deal. The only gripe is that it will not come to focus in the C6! Will try it out with the 102 f/5 this weekend or when I get the chance.

Darren

[astroron]

:gday: Dennis Yer Pommie Gitt, you should come up next time, you know where I live. Ron :stargaze: :astron: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[dhumpie]

Ordered the DGM Optics filters (both the VHT and the NPB) so I guess my Lumicon UHC filter will be up for grabs soonish (when they arrive and I get a chance to test them out). Let me know if any of you are interested. I will post at the Buy and Sell when I am ready but you guys get the first shot :)

Darren

[Dennis]

Hi Ron

Sounds like you throw a good party, bigger than the monthly Hazledean astrocamp! Thanks for the invite mate, I'll be up the next dark weekend.

Look forward to saying hello again.

Dennis

[astroron]

Cheers Dennis, Loooooooooong time no see, all the best ,look forward to it. Ron

[Argonavis]

Darren - is the UHC a 2inch or 1.25inch fitting?

[dhumpie]

1.25" fitting :) I knew someone was going to ask. I am thinking of selling it for about 1/2 the price of a new one if anyone is interested. But I reserve judgement until the DGM filters arrive...

Darren