Lunar Eclipse near Whyalla, South Australia

[Astroman]

Hi all,

I travelled up to near Whyalla lastnight to try and beat the clouds, the gamble almost worked, we have reasonable seeing, but clouds moved in during some parts of the eclipse. The timelapse movie I was doinf with the toucam and modified finder was ruined when the 900NC webcam started acting very erratic, with all settings on manual too...

Still managed a few shots...

[traveller]

Great stuff Andrew :thumbsup:
When you say near Whyalla, where exactly? I lived there for a couple of years a while ago, so a bit courious.
Cheers, Bo

[Astroman]

About 40km North of Whyalla. Was in a parking bay.

[iceman]

Well done Andrew, doesn't sound like too many in S.A got clear skies.

[traveller]

On the way to Iron Konb or north of Portagutta? ;)
Either way, you've done well.
Still can remember the starry nights when camping at flinders.
Bo

[Ross G]

Great shots Andrew.

Ross.

[Astroman]

Between Pt Augusta and Whyalla, a little place called Roopena.

Thanks Ross.

[Paul Haese]

We wondered how you went Andrew. We got some frames during the lead partial phases but totally missed the total. Virgs mentioned that you were heading up to Whyalla. Too far for me bud, but nice work all the same.

[Astroman]

Yeah was a bit of a hike, but worth it I think, next lunar eclipse I should have some better gear with me. I was limited this time around, I had 2 12v SLA batteries not take charges so I was left with 1, luckily that was enough for the small mount. If I used a bigger mount, I doubt I would have got through it all... Time to look around for a better battery setup I think. I was wondering how far you guys had got to, where did you end up setting up? I was thinking maybe you stopped off at stockport...

[Paul Haese]

Yeah we stopped off at Stockport. There was power there but I was prepared for going further afield if we chose to do that. I had two charged deep cells ready to go. In retrospect I am glad we did not drive further. I got home at 3am and I think Virgs would have got home around 345am. Did you sleep up there and then head back?

[h0ughy]

great shots - glad you made the effort!

[Jen]

:thumbsup::thumbsup: good on ya Astroman not many were that lucky weather wise up near Adelaide :thumbsup:

[Astroman]

I gotta get myself a deepcycle one day, much better than the pissy 7.2A SLA's I am using :D I did have a few hours sleep in the front seat of my Wagon before making the long drive home, by about Pt Wakefield I was feeling it, so stopped off and had something to eat with some the locals (seagulls), although they never got anything... Quite an experience walking from the dinner to my car with about 30 seagulls walking behind me :/

Thanks David, Jen :)

[astronobob]

Shame about timelapse Andrew, But your still captures are very nicely done, well worth the drive !

[Astroman]

Thanks Bob, I am happy with what I got, could have been more organised though, but it was fun out there...

[swannies1983]

Well done Andrew. Glad someone in SA was able to see it.

[JadeMWalker]

Hi Andrew,

Great photos!
I am from Whyalla, and unfortunately like many, I missed the eclipse. A lot of the local enthusiasts said it was a bit cloudy as well.
I was hoping to take some photos as I also work at the local news paper, Whyalla News.
Is there any way possible I could publish these photos and get some comments from you for a small story? I will make sure the photos are attributed to you if we used them.

Feel free to email reporter3.whyallanews@ruralpress.co m

Cheers
Jade

[Astroman]

Email sent to you Jade, thanks for your interest.

[venus]

Congrats great images...

[Clayton]

Well done Andrew, some nice shots there :)

[Astroman]

Thanks Lydia and Rob, much appreciated.

I have sent the higher res images to the Whyalla News, so now I wait to see if they use them...