Log in

View Full Version here: : Howdy from the Central Coast!


Zincberg
24-11-2010, 11:57 PM
Hi All,
After being an avid VERY amateur stargazer since haleys comet last came around, I recently decided to ditch my Tasco "elcraposcope" (I believe it is their mexican model) and got myself an Meade 10" Lx90.
I was excited to see something more than just the bright glare of an out of focus moon, and certainly havent been disappointed on the few clear nights we have had over the last couple of weeks.
I love the deep sky stuff, although my viewing of it so far has been very limited (im a little too close to Gosford.. and my neighbour likes to keep his empty back yard safe with 5,307 flood lights.)
Ive been attaching my Nikon DSLR onto my Meade..and have been learning heaps about how NOT to photgraph the night sky. Im hoping to get a wedge just as soon as Bintel find out which one I need. (should be in the next day or so).
My big question...is does anyone know of any good "safe" spots I could take my telescope and see more? Id love to stay close to home.. if I can, maybe no more than 1/2 an hour from Gosford?
Don at Bintel suggested Mt White might be good, Ive done a bit of a drive around and it certainly looks like Id get a good view, but am not sure specifically where.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.. and hope to speak to you all soon. (maybe even show some of my "progressive" photography :lol:)

GTB_an_Owl
25-11-2010, 01:14 AM
hi Andrew

you need to check out the star party section and look for the pony club thread

xmas party and viewing nite is the 4th of next month

get yourself along to it

geoff

Allan_L
25-11-2010, 01:11 PM
Hi andrew,
Welcome to IIS :welcome:.

Yes, Geoff is right, we Central Coastians meet up at Mangrove Mountain every new moon (and other times occasionally).
There are usually between 4 to 20 of us get up there, where the sky is clean and light pollution is less prominent.

We are a friendly crew and I am sure you will be welcomed warmly.
There is a post in the "sticky" section of that forum with details of how to get there. Best to try to get there before sunset so you can see to set up and get a feel for the place.

And as Geoff said, watch the star parties forum for Pony Club threads to get details of when they will be on.

Hope to see you there soon :thumbsup:

jenchris
25-11-2010, 02:25 PM
You swapped one Mexican for another?? Now that is really weird!
Welcome to the East Coast upward lookers.
I look from further North so I'm a little less likely to get cold in winter. But I sure get mozzied instead

gmbfilter
26-11-2010, 09:25 AM
But no trouble seeing the horse head, at the Pony Club
Be great to see you there December

iceman
26-11-2010, 09:54 AM
Great to have another from the Central Coast! There's quite a collection of us now!

:welcome: to IceInSpace!