Northern Rivers 2011

[glenc]

We will have an observing night on 23/9, if it is clear, at North Casino.

[Judith]

Hey Glen
Great to see a Northern Rivers 2011 thread. Here's hoping for a clear night on the 23rd tho forecast not great last time I looked. But ever the optimist....
Judith

[astroron]

Hi Glen Wish I could attend,but just a bit too far at the moment ;)
The twenty third is a Friday, do you mean the twenty forth :question:
I hope we can catch again soon.
Cheers :thumbsup:

[glenc]

Hi Ron
Judith wants Fri the 23rd. I do what I am told. :)
Both nights are fine with me. Might see the satellite crash.
"NASA says the giant satellite is plunging to earth more quickly than anticipated and will crash during a three-day window around September 24."

[Judith]

[QUOTE=glenc;765884]Hi Ron
Judith wants Fri the 23rd. I do what I am told. :)

Glen I am pleased to see it!!

Are you up for a short session tonight - its so clear - would only be an hour or before the moon is up two but might be a nice intro for Ray too if he wants to come.

Judith

[glenc]

Can't do it tonight, but tomorrow is OK.

[Judith]

Glen I just spoke to Ray and he's keen but won't be want a late night so how about we come out at about 7.30 just for an hour or two - would that be okay with you?
Judith

[glenc]

Yes that is fine. It gets dark at 7pm on Sunday.

[glenc]

There is lots of smoke now, not looking good for tonight.

[GrahamL]

friday still on ?

[glenc]

Yes Fri is still on. The cloud forecast is 10 to 20%.
The equinox is on 23/9 at 7:04pm!

[glenc]

Some cloud is coming in from the west. I will update this at 6pm.

[GrahamL]

yeah theres a fair bit more to the south to . I'll give it a miss tonight Glen
tommorow If your free ?

Last night was great , did you get out ?

[Judith]

Just a bit too much cloud for tonight it seems. I'll check your update at 6 Glen but not optimistic. I am away for the next week so hope you guys get a good night.

Judith

[glenc]

It is about 50% cloudy now, might clear, who knows. Let's call it off.
It was great last night, I observed for 2 hours in the middle of the night.
Looks like cloud tomorrow too, but come out if it's clear Graham.

[glenc]

It should be clear tonight. Does anyone want to come over?
It was great last night.

[glenc]

Looks like it might be clear this weekend, does anyone want to do some observing?

[Judith]

yep I'm keen

[Lismore Bloke]

Hi gang,

Haven't been here much lately after
the 2 weeks up north. Lots of photos
of nice flowers/waterfalls/birdies.

Currently fighting a nasty lurgi
(cough, cough, splutter) so going
outside at night probably isn't a
great idea. Next time maybe.

The eyepiece box is available
to use if you want to grab it
on the way through.

Cheers, Paul.

[glenc]

Not good Paul.
Judith Friday night is supposed to be 11% cloud at 9pm. Do you want to observe on Fri or Sat?
It gets dark at 8:20pm. I have just been out observing.

[Judith]

Thanks Glen. Saturday night suits me better. I'm in Coffs Harbour and off line today and tomorrow but I will check for posts when I get home. Here's hoping the forecast for Saturday night is good too. Hope to see you then. Judith

[GrahamL]

I'm good for saturday Glen .

Glen I was travelling back from kyogle the other week and noticed a
old derelict bridge somewhere on the northern side along bentley road .

Do you know it at all ? I cant remember if it was before or after
naughtons gap turnoff , I'd like to photograph it if it around dusk
if its accesable .

graham

[glenc]

There is an old bridge on this side of the new cutting about 10k from Lismore. Saturday night looks OK, 14% cloud at 9pm.

[glenc]

Looks like it will be clear tonight.

[Judith]

Excellent! So about 8.15pm? Shall I give Ray in Goonellabah a ring - he might like to have a go especially as it won't be so cold.

Judith

[glenc]

Yes Ray can come if he wants to, 8 or 8:15 is fine.

[GrahamL]

looking ok for a change see you round 8 .00

[the.odd.byte]

Hi Guys,

I'd love to meet up with any local astronomy-type people. I've got a 10" Dobsonian - have not used it much - YET!

Looking for a good site to view from, since I live right in the middle of Lismore - under the hill, lights and trees!

Cheers,

Trevor

[Lismore Bloke]

Hi Trevor,

Paul McG (Ballina 4WD) here - on the hill just above you!!!!
Welcome to IIS and the local group. Several of us meet up at around the new moon. I'm sure you would be made very welcome.

Cheers, Paul.

[the.odd.byte]

Hi All,

A few friends & I are having an overnight camp / star party at Black Rock camp ground, Bundjalung National Park (south of Woodburn NSW) on Saturday 26th November. All IIS members are most welcome to join us.

National Park camping fees apply, bring your own food & drinking water. BBQ & toilet facilities onsite.

For those on Facebook see the Northern Rivers Star Party page.

Cheers,

Trevor

[GrahamL]

Hi Trevor and welcome .

my sons birthday that that day so I'm out .

Biggest goanna I've ever laid eyes on used to hang at black rock
I swear the sucker was about 8 foot long ,A friend who worked for national parks reckoned it used to cause lots of problems trashing tents for food and tipping over rubish bins , he said they spotted it one day walking along the edge of the track carrying a large dead wallaby :)

long time ago thankfully ,so its likely long gone.... or gotten bigger;)

[dj gravelrash]

Sounds great Trevor. Black Rocks a cracking spot.:thumbsup:

[glenc]

Last night I assembled my new black GSO 16" scope and it rained :(
It is BIG. :eyepop: The 10" and 12" are for sale.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=82368
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=82369

[GrahamL]

Thinking about a 16" the other night to delivery sure didn't take long :lol:

[glenc]

Do you want to do some observing next new moon?
Fri 25 or Sat 26 or Sun 27/11?
If you want to go to Black Rocks here is the link http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkCamping.aspx?id=N0041#BlackRock scampground
I am concerned about salt spray on my 16" mirror at Black Rocks.

[the.odd.byte]

Yes, Glen,I'm also concerned about salt spray - but the spot is over the dunes from the surf, and behind trees. I was out there last weekend and the prevailing strong wind was along-shore & not onto the shore, so no salt spray was evident. I'll be bringing my 10" but will only be uncovering it if there is no spray evident, otherwise its camera & binoculars! Hoping for a good clear night with heaps of good company! Trevor

[Judith]

Hey Glen
I'd love to come out for some observing next new moon. Can't do Saturday night tho.
Judith

[GrahamL]

No jet stream tonight by the looks.

http://www.wunderground.com/global/Region/AU/2xJetStream.html

Anyone else heading out ? Jupiter looked great at dusk

[glenc]

Used the 16" last Monday night. Julie made a shroud for it.
Looks like it might be clear next Sunday night.

[glenc]

Does anyone want to come over here on Sunday night (tomorrow) at about 8:30 pm?

[Judith]

You bet! If its clear, I'll be there around 8.30. If there's any doubt , I'll check for a post. Thanks Glen.

[glenc]

Thanks Judith for your help with collimating the 16" on a star.
The 13mm EP is 138 times with a field of 30'. The 21mm EP is 86 times with a field of 47'.
I used the 13mm EP after you left and had a great look around until 11:30pm.

[Judith]

For a great night, take 1 new 16inch + 1 clear sky + 1 Glen. Result ... astronomical delights!

Thanks heaps Glen. I have added the Messier objects you showed me to my growing list of them. Goodness knows how long it will be before another clear night but last night will keep me going for a while!

Judith

[glenc]

It was clear last night till 11 pm so I used the 16" for an hour and a half.
I will start a new thread called Northern Rivers 2012.
Lets hope 2012 is clearer than 2011.