Pony Club 26 February ???

[Allan_L]

Getting Toey !!! :(
need a fix of dark sky!
(and interested to see what's been happening up at the renovation site.)

Anyone got a weather prediction?

[sasup]

if the weather clears

[mr bruess]

what is pony club? is it a club meeting or observing night?

[gmbfilter]

We go to watch!

There is a sticky at the top of this section with directions to Mangrove Mountain Pony Club

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pony_Club

There clubs all over the place..including Mangrove Mountain

There is a nice flat dark paddock, Club house, power and toilet. Fridge for beer pie, oven for...pies.

Also heaps of fun loving observers!

Everybody welcome

The clubs being renovated so power might be out

[sasup]

I think the club house is down for a bit.

[Shano592]

7timer has Saturday looking pretty clear at the moment.

So does Weatherzone. Saturday might be a goer!

[Zincberg]

If its fine, Ill be there.
Not sure about this "7 timer" and "weatherzone" of which you speak. I was sure someone at the PC told me that i had to consult the Giblets of a chicken to forcast any weather past one day in advance???

I have done so.. and apparantly the weather will be slightly repulsive...

[Rodstar]

I can't make it this Saturday; I am away with the family for the entire weekend. I should be able to do the following Saturday night, which is New Moon, if that is also of interest as a second meeting.

[Inmykombi]

Cant make it again this Saturday. I am rostered on at SURFCOM again.
I always seem to be rostered when a night is organised...:(

Maybe the following Saturday I can.:D

Geoffro.

[Rick Petrie]

Should be able to do both. Oh for some ideal conditions for a change.:prey::stargaze:

[sally1jack]

can't make this sat , going to watch the waratahs v reds at anz, next sat sounds good
phil :thumbsup:

[Filby]

Hi,

I would be interested in coming along to meet some of these "fun lovers".
The moon doesn't rise until after 12, so should have a few moonless hours.

I am new to astronomy, and have never been to one of these get-togethers. I dont have a whizz-bang telescope, but will come with my 10x50 binoculars and a ladder that I rest them on.

Can some one advise roughly what time people turn up (with sunset at 7:30)?

Thanks!

[sasup]

Im going to try to be there by 6:30 but I will watch the weather

[gb_astro]

Hi Filby Phil.

Since you are travelling light, around sunset would be a good time to come.
There will definitely be a few people there by then, assuming the weather holds.
Best to check back here Saturday morning for the latest info.

Greg.

[Allan_L]

:welcome::welcome::welcome:

Hi Phil,
You are more than welcome to come with any or no optical equipment.
If weather is OK there will be plenty of scopes for you to have a look through.
As Greg (GB) says, watch this space for times and info.

Look forward to seeing you there

Allan

[Deeno]

Might come up for a sqiz through someones scope as I have telescopes minus mirrors.............pls....

[Arthur Alchin]

Won't be able to make it, going to be in Queanbeyan with the kids on Saturday night.

Next weekend though the guys from work and I have the top house at Lostock booked, unfortunately there is no room in my car for the scope once I put the Karaoke gear in the back and the minibike and camping gear in the trailer (will take the bino's and camera though)

[sasup]

Me thinks the weather window came early (thrusday night) and now its overcast for yet one more week. No fair

[Deeno]

Oops, made a bit of a blue. Amanda is going out and I'm baby sitting Saturday night.......

[Shano592]

I think we're still ok for Saturday night. 7timer still says MM is going to be pretty clear until 4am(ish) Sunday.

Andrew, I think the giblets were off to start with, this week!

[gb_astro]

Where is Mr Owl this week?

Greg.

[Allan_L]

Hi Greg,
I saw Mr Owl today.
He is alive and well and hoping to see a good showing at the Pony Club tomorrow.
He says the 7 timer weather god predictor is favourable for a good portion of the seeing night.

However with the moon in the fourth quarter it will probably be an early night for us all.

I am hoping to be there (with key) just after 4 (yes pm) for maybe some solar observing fun.

See y'all there (weather permitting :) )


PS:
I can do boiling water (tea and coffee) and have fridge space for coldies, in the van.
Bring your own cups though.
Just don't have a pie warmer in it yet - Sorry

[Rick Petrie]

Now Deeno....if you bought Elara her own scope, you could bring her along for her 'first light' !!!!!!!!!!! :)
and second
and third
and.....:P

[sasup]

cant wait to get my girl out in a dark field

[Rick Petrie]

OK Roll call!!!!
Who's in and out?

[sasup]

me if weather holds

[Filby]

Im still keen. Count me in.

[Allan_L]

Definitely

BTW Rick,
Do you still have your pre loved 10" DOB for sale?
if so, bring it along for the ride

[Shano592]

Out.

Sorry, I have had a virus all week, and it has turned out to be worse than I had hoped.

The last thing I want is to share this bug around.

Here's hoping for next week.

[Rick Petrie]

Unfortunately Al, it's sold.:sadeyes:

[gb_astro]

Im in but traveling light with the 120.

Greg.

[sasup]

whats it looking like up there? Here on the beaches there is a hase moving in. Not sure what to do as its about an hour and forty min drive.

[GTB_an_Owl]

bewdiful up here

pack the car

besides - you have to pick up your freezer suit

geoff

[sasup]

ok fully covered now here and it seems to be filling to the north east

[Zincberg]

definately in, packing the car as we speak

[gb_astro]

Think positive Stacy.
Most of the cloud down here seems to be from a large bush fire earlier today at Allambie Heights.
Anyway we can just stand around and look at your new baby :).

Greg.

[sasup]

ok packing now

[bahoogas]

are noobs welcome?

i live in the area but have nothing to offer except lame jokes

[Inmykombi]

Hi James.

All are welcome, but they better be good jokes...Only kidding.
I hope you find the place OK, there is a map of the place here....

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=26142


I cant make.... it as I am rostered on Surf Lifesaving SURFCOM ( Radio room ) first up in the morning, and I must be alert for the shift.

Have great night all.... Sniff Sniff....

[Filby]

Thanks again guys for having Cass and I at your party, for being so welcoming and being such good hosts. I left feeling spoilt.

Memorable highlights for me were
-seeing Omega Centauri through Rick’s wide field of view eyepiece
-looking at M42 through everybody’s telescope, particularly the comparison between the finder scope and the main scope on Alan’s
-seeing Saturn for our first time with Stacey
-the binoviewer experience with Greg
-this morning Cass using the phrase ‘Dob’

It was also great to see some things I will never see with my trusty binoculars, such as Jupiters Ghost and the Sombrero galaxy.

We wish you all good weather for next weekend. Else concentrate on building your averted imagination skills J

Phil

[gb_astro]

Yes I think "averted imagination" was the discovery of the night.
Thanks Allan. :). And thanks for the catering facilities.

Greg.

[GTB_an_Owl]

just a little aside - lets see how the 7timer prediction goes for the next week

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=89888&stc=1&d=1298774339

not good for next saturday at this point in time


geoff

[Zincberg]

Had a great night, the viewing ended up somewhere in the "not too bad" category.
Highlights for me were:
As usual.. the company
Early viewing of the sun thanks to Allan and again thanks to Allan for showing me a nice comparison between celestron and meade.
Enjoyed looking at the 3 galaxies around m105, ghost of Jupiter, Sombrero was looking nice towards the end and was majorly impressed at the really late viewing of Saturn, particularly through Jakobs lightbridge.

Always nice to meet new faces also.

Hopefully we can repeat the clear skies next weekend for the new moon!

[GTB_an_Owl]

yes - thanks Al - our own portable canteen

i mean! - a beer fridge and a hot kettle - what more do you want?

nice little roll up considering those with legit excuses for not turning up

sky was very average for most of the nite - got a little better before the moon came up

we endured about half an hour of high cloud until it moved south and gave us wall to wall sky again

no dew to speak of all nite - a little on the top of the car after 1am

a pleasure to meet Cass and Phill and enjoy their enthusiasm - hope we see them again soon

Jakob had a lot of fun with his new mini lappy and stellarium (and i was quite impressed with what it could do with the Argo/Stellarium combination)

i hope Stacey gets his little servo problem worked out on that wonderful 12" SDM and has learnt the message in the phrase "take a punt and turn up anyway"
oh! and by the way - Welcome to the "Michelin Man " club

Message for Arthur or Geoff (gmbfilter) - bring the whisper snisper for next weekend if you are coming

personally i was chuffed to have grabbed a couple of targets not seen before (in my scope anyway)

here's hoping for next week as well

geoff

[sasup]

QUOTE: Welcome to the "Michelin Man " club

I tried it on today and almost melted. very warm

[Rick Petrie]

Another good one, quite average seeing but some good targets later in the night as it cooled a bit. Particularly good was Saturn through Jakob's 'revitalised' scope with 'servo assisted' argonavis by Stellarium.
Really good to meet Phil and Cass, hoped you enjoyed your viewing night and will be good to see you back soon. ( maybe with a new scope in tow)
Thanks Al for your usual generosity, and also to Andrew,Greg, Stacey,Mr Owl and Jakob for those Tim Tam midnight snacks.
Maybe next week to look forward to?????:thumbsup:

[GTB_an_Owl]

Well we did warn you Stacey

just undies and singlet(tshirt) and above around 8 degree's it stays in the bag

now you need a sports bag with good end pockets to put the suit, your beanies and gloves and red light torches in - and your good to go

geoff

[sasup]

Have just the thing.