Northern Rivers 2012 [Archive]

Suzy

20-01-2012, 02:13 AM

Hi Judith,
I've been quite happy with Skeye. (https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lavadip.skeye&feature=search_result#?t=W251bGwsMS wxLDEsImNvbS5sYXZhZGlwLnNrZXllIl0.)
Also, many people here seem to use and are happy with Sky Safari for i-phone.
Have a read through the mobile astronomy apps forum.

glenc

20-01-2012, 06:22 AM

The weather last Jan was like this http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/dwo/201101/html/IDCJDW2026.201101.shtml
There was no cloud at 9am on the 24th and 3pm on the 25th and full cloud 20 times.

glenc

31-01-2012, 08:04 AM

Nice and clear last night. I saw the Leo I dwarf galaxy (20' north of Regulus) and the usual stuff.

Judith

12-02-2012, 06:55 PM

Hi all

I've been off line for a while with one thing and another but back now.

Glen it must be frustrating to have that 16 inch in the shed so often - the weather continues disappointing. Any chance of a get together for the new moon?

Suzy thanks for the app tip - I will check it out. And I'm with you re Brian Cox!!

Judith

glenc

13-02-2012, 02:09 AM

We could try 17 or 18 or 24 or 25/2. That gives us a 1 in 4 chance of a clear night!

glenc

16-02-2012, 02:46 AM

Looks like it will be clear tomorrow (Fri) night. Twilight ends before 9 pm.

Judith

16-02-2012, 05:26 PM

At your place around 8. 30 then? Will check for a post in case of doubtful weather. Thanks Glen!

glenc

16-02-2012, 05:57 PM

Judith I will do a cloud update after 4pm Fri.

glenc

17-02-2012, 04:20 PM

It is clearing up, should be OK.

Judith

17-02-2012, 04:29 PM

Great - see you in a while.

glenc

18-02-2012, 06:04 AM

Had an excellent clear night (in Feb!) last night and a great discussion too.

Judith

18-02-2012, 10:30 AM

Glen as always an interesting inspiring and beautiful night. All those planetary nebulas were great and lots of Messier objects to add to my list. And Saturn through the 16" was a great sight to end on. Many many many thanks
Judith

glenc

29-02-2012, 06:52 AM

Nice and clear this morning. I looked at about 25 planetary nebulae, including 2 new ones for me, between 1:30am and 3:00am with an 8mm EP and filter.
There was a warm westerly blowing and the neighbours automatic spotlights came on twice. :(

glenc

14-03-2012, 04:48 AM

Looks like it might be clear this Friday night.

Judith

14-03-2012, 06:41 PM

Outside chance I reckon....but if its clear I'm there! Are we talking your place? I'll look for an update on Friday arvo. Thanks Glen
Judith

glenc

15-03-2012, 01:23 AM

Yes my place IF its clear. I will update after 4pm Friday.

glenc

16-03-2012, 04:35 PM

2 cloudy

glenc

29-03-2012, 02:34 AM

Mixed rainfall outlook for southeastern Australia

The southeast Australian outlook for April to June 2012 shows the following:
* a wetter season is more likely for northeastern NSW
* a drier season is more likely for Tasmania, Victoria, and southeast SA
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/rain.seaus.shtml
http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/rain_ahead.shtml?link=1

Judith

29-03-2012, 08:42 PM

Quote: "a wetter season is more likely for northeastern NSW"

:(

Judith

glenc

30-03-2012, 07:04 AM

Observed with the 16" from 3:20 to 5am today. It rained during the night then it was real clear.

glenc

12-05-2012, 03:31 AM

Anyone want to come over to North Casino tonight? It gets dark at 6:30 pm.

Judith

12-05-2012, 07:33 AM

Love to, Glen - see you around 6.30 or 7pm.

Cheers Judith

glenc

11-07-2012, 02:55 AM

Looks like it will be clear on Sunday night 15/7.
Does anyone want to observe from North Casino? It gets dark at 6:30pm.
http://www.weatherzone.com.au/nsw/northern-rivers/casino

Judith

11-07-2012, 05:58 PM

Hey Glen I'll be there!
Judith

lizzyjt

12-08-2012, 05:16 PM

Hi,

I am a total novice and keen to learn about astronomy.

Is there an astronomy group or club in the Northern Rivers area?

Regards
Liz

GrahamL

13-08-2012, 04:54 PM

Hi Liz

welcome to IIS

We try and meet up from time to time , usually at glens at North casino
when the weather plays nice ,new faces are most welcome .

Glens away at astrofest this week so will likely chime in a little later .

Do you have a scope ? or are thinking of getting one , have a read of the begginers section theres lots of great info there

graham

lizzyjt

13-08-2012, 07:03 PM

Hi Graham,

That sounds good... I live in Casino too.

I don't have a scope - I am really a complete novice - Google sky map app is even a little confusing for me! But I enjoy playing with it. I have had a brief look at the beginners section on here and will read more - do you know of a basic book which would be appropriate for a clueless person such as myself?

Would enjoy the opportunity of meeting the group.

Thanks
Liz

GrahamL

13-08-2012, 09:13 PM

Hi Liz

I'm not familiar with a lot of titles, theres a decent few in the bookshop next door to bohotopia in lismore.

some are almost to generalised to be a lot of help .
I like 'Atlas of the Southern skys ' , it covers some basics and is still a good reference source when you get a little down the road .

hopefully others will jump in with a few sugestions to

Lismore Bloke

14-08-2012, 05:29 PM

Hi Liz,

Welcome to the group. Graham's book suggestion is a good one, plus it's for the southern hemisphere, not always the case with some books written for the northern sky. If you have a PC it might be worth investigating Stellarium:

http://www.stellarium.org/

or Cartes du Ciel:

http://www.ap-i.net/skychart/start

Both are free planetarium software and pretty good for showing what's in the sky at the moment and as the night progresses.

Cheers, Paul.

Judith

14-08-2012, 09:23 PM

Hi Liz

Like you I am a newbie. We are really lucky in this area because we have some excellent and experienced astronomers in our group who are very generous with their time and knowledge.

As a beginner I reckon Stellarium that Paul mentioned is the best of the planetarium software. Its easy to use and not too big to download. For books I like Atlas of the Southern Skies that Graham mentioned. I also subscribe to Australian Sky and Telescope. It comes out bi-monthly and has a section on what's up in the night sky. You can get it at most newsagents - in Lismore anyway - or I have plenty of back issues if you'd like to have a look. I like the Astronomy Yearbook too - month by month description of the night sky, with seasonal sky maps and lots of great info. There are some great free on line courses too - my favorite is the website http://asterisk.apod.com/index.php And for sheer visual pleasure you can't go past http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html

So happy hunting!
Judith

lizzyjt

18-08-2012, 07:05 AM

Thanks for the helpful suggestions Graham, Judith & Paul - I'll start having a look at them. Have a great weekend!

glenc

19-08-2012, 06:44 PM

Welcome Liz to IIS. I hope you can join us next time we get together.
We usually met on a weekend when it is clear and there is no moon.
Look here for planned meetings around last quarter moon or new moon.

glenc

24-08-2012, 02:43 AM

I suggest we observe at my place on September 7 or 8 or 9.
That is the first clear night Fri or Sat or Sun.

GrahamL

06-09-2012, 09:18 PM

Hows friday night looking Glen ?

I'd like to come over if your about

Started reading your thesis btw 380 + pages:eyepop: , fantastic read :thumbsup:

glenc

07-09-2012, 02:42 AM

Graham
Judith is coming on Saturday night but you can come tonight if that suits you better.

Lismore Bloke

07-09-2012, 06:55 PM

Hi Glen,

I should be OK for Saturday night. Lee might be a starter too, depending on progress on his Uni assignments. Looking forward to seeing that cool group of galaxies in Pavo. Cheers, Paul. PS I like the new avatar!!

http://www.astrosurf.com/antilhue/ngc6769trio.htm

Lismore Bloke

08-09-2012, 05:46 PM

Hi Glen, how are things for tonight - looks a bit smoky. Paul

glenc

08-09-2012, 05:57 PM

There is some smoke, but we can work around it.
Glen

glenc

03-10-2012, 01:34 AM

Does anyone want to observe this Saturday night?
It is dark from 7pm to 11pm. DST starts on Sunday.

GrahamL

04-10-2012, 08:53 PM

yep I'd like to try Glen , I'm sure I have nothing on this weekend

cheers graham

Judith

05-10-2012, 05:08 AM

Thanks Glen I'll be there.
Forecast for Tenterfield is not looking at all promising :(
Judith

glenc

05-10-2012, 06:19 AM

Graham and Judith
Look forward to seeing you.
Glen

I have been researching southern IC objects.
http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=97328

glenc

06-10-2012, 03:54 PM

It is 75% clear and hazy. I will update this at sunset.

GrahamL

06-10-2012, 04:15 PM

Hi Glen

fair bit of high cloulds been creeping on in from the NE last hour or two
I might pass on tonight , next week maybe ?

good luck with tonight , I'm going back to the shed and telescope building:thumbsup:

Judith

06-10-2012, 04:49 PM

Hi Glen

I'm still keen if you are and IF the cloud blows away. I'll look for an update in a little while.....

Judith

glenc

06-10-2012, 05:43 PM

It is not looking good.

Judith

06-10-2012, 05:55 PM

okay .... maybe next weekend ..... is Tenterfield still a possibility?

glenc

09-10-2012, 07:03 AM

We are going to Roseneath Station this weekend if it is fine.
Let me know if you want to join us.

Roseneath Station lies 70km west of Tenterfield on the Dumaresq River which forms part of the border between New South Wales and Queensland.
An historic property of 6,500 acres it was once the home of the Bruxner family (hence Bruxner Highway).
http://www.roseneathstation.com.au/gallery.html#Contact_Us

glenc

14-10-2012, 03:04 PM

It was very windy on the way to Roseneath. There was even snow at Guyra on Friday morning.
On Friday night it cleared at about 11pm. Saturday night was perfect.

Two of the favourite objects were
The Veil nebulae http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100916.html
and NGC 1365 http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap100820.html
The Z shape in 1365 was obvious in the 16".

Lismore Bloke

15-10-2012, 09:00 AM

I can do no more than repeat the reply I sent to Judith:

The skies, location, company, scope and expert guidance were all wonderful.

Did me the world of good.

Paul

GrahamL

16-10-2012, 07:37 PM

I thought of you guys friday night ,.. brieflly , ,,that was a cold bit of evening if I remember right ?

How was the location ? , it looks a great place , affordable and great people I always find at farmstays .

cheers graham

btw anywhere to go for a paddle in a canoe there ?

glenc

16-10-2012, 08:51 PM

It was cold till the wind died, but a great place for astronomy.
Good beds and you can canoe too.

Judith

20-10-2012, 11:01 PM

As well as the time at Mt Carbine for the eclipse, I have just booked a couple of nights at Port Douglas and a snorkelling trip to the outer reef. Now I'm REALLY starting to get excited! Just hope the car makes it up there....

Judith