Pony Club December

[gb_astro]

As Bones suggested in another tread, with the new moon occurring on December 13th, the 8th and 15th are possibilities.

Perhaps we could get that BBQ going again (Phill?) and the apple charlotte etc.

Voting is now open.

Though given the poor weather lately maybe seems best to aim for the 8th and have the 15th as a backup?

Greg.

[Deeno]

New moon.....?

[gb_astro]

Oops, edited.

[Rodstar]

I'm keen. Maybe we wait to see what the weather is doing - if the 8th is clear, I say we do it, if not, we can fall back on the 15th??

[arc4ne]

I'm in for whenever!

[Allan_L]

That sounds like a good plan.
I am keen to go.

That northern sky (around Cairns) is so weird.
No Southern Cross or pointers above the horizon at the moment.
Hard to get your bearings.

I did get a fantastic view of the Andromeda Galaxy though.
So big and bright, you could spot it naked eye from a dark site.
Looked brilliant through the 10"Dob I took.
WOW the trip was worth it just for that.

[Rodstar]

Hi Allan. I am a little green with envy re your recent trip.... sounds like you had a great time. Look forward to hearing your stories.

[Irish stargazer]

Should be able to make both dates. Let me know if you need the BBQ.

[sally1jack]

Have spoken to the boss, 8th is good for me the 15th is unlikely , happy to have a bbq but this time i will becoming from sydney so will be unable to organize but happy to chip in if someone else can organize
phil :thumbsup:

[ausastronomer]

Hi Phil,

You better speak a bit more to the boss and see if there's a spare bed in the house :)

I hope to make it also.

Cheers,
John B

[sally1jack]

Done

phil :thumbsup:

[gb_astro]

Looks like we might need it John, thanks.
I can bring some rissoles, bread etc.
Also looks like I will be scopeless again.
The new silver mirror coating has failed and has to be redone, this time in aluminium.

Greg.

[Allan_L]

Ohh! Greg!
I can't believe the amount of bad luck you have had (with telescope(s) and binos, etc.)
I bet you can't either!
So sorry to hear of this further set back.
You are proof that high ticket items do no longer guarantee trouble free items. At least they provide good after sales service.

Hope to catch up with you (at PC or wherever) before Christmas. weather permitting

[Shano592]

Hopefully, the 8th will be a good weather night.

If it is, I think it should be taken, and then assess the 15th afterwards.

I'm capable of back to back weekends.

[Rick Petrie]

At this stage, don't think I can do the 8th, but may be good for 15th.

[UseTheForce]

If you don't mind, I will try to make it. I definately need to get some tips!! & have been wanting to make one of these parties for ages

[gb_astro]

Weather for the 8th is looking better.
Might be a goer.

Greg.

[Allan_L]

If you believe it
7 Timer is still telling me it will clear and remain cloudless after sunset on Saturday :shrug:
,,, with temperature a balmy staying around 17 degrees
... but humidity high at 85 to 90 percent
,,, and some atmospheric instability

Seeing and Transparency not brilliant, but fair

Encouraging enough to keep the night open,
and check back in again on Saturday

Anyone else with alternate forecast?

[Arthur Alchin]

Depending on weather the 8th is better than the 15 th although i could do the latter for a short night.

Of course you realise that the weather will be **** because i am trying to have the inaugeral flight of the new scope :shrug:

[gmbfilter]

I cant believe it!
A night at the PC comes up and the weather turns s***
Some sort of human sacrifice might help
Ill pack freezer suit and the flood boat

[arc4ne]

I now officially hate the weather.

:mad2:

[gb_astro]

Hmmmm tough call on the weather.
Looks like possibly clear between possible thunder storms.
Next week is not looking much better.

I can be there about 7 with the hamburgers if we go ahead.
I have a backup gass stove if John cannot make it with his BBQ.

Greg.

[Arthur Alchin]

Might become an amateur meteorologist because i think our predictions are probably as accurate as the pros.

Both 7timer and weather station leave us scratching our heads today. Is the barometer rising does anyone know. Won't unpack the scope if there's a hint of rain

[Rodstar]

Hi Guys, I had a very long night at Gosford Hospital last night with Noah - we suspected a broken arm, but not sign of fracture on the film. Got home after 2am. Don't expect me tonight - after a long week at work, I am just too tired for another long night. Clear skies.

[Irish stargazer]

I think we need to make a call on tonight. I'll wait until 2.30pm to see if there is a "go" or not and make other plans after that. Tough call today with the weather forecast.

[gb_astro]

I think I need John's BBQ and a few more takers to justerfy bringing the food up.
So let's say the BBQ is postponed until hopefully next week.

That leaves only the observing.....?

Greg.

[Arthur Alchin]

Looking out the back window, think i might give it a go and head up to the club.

If the weather turns bad all ive lost is a bit of fuel.

Will be up there about 1700hrs, anybody going that will have a gate key????

[gb_astro]

Are you chancing the 16" Arthur?

Greg.

[Irish stargazer]

Looks like I am out folks. My wife needs me to pick her up from the city later on .
Wife. " are you going out tonight?"
Me. " I don't know yet"
Wife. " when will you know?"
Me. " I don't know that either"

Damn weather. Vague weather is the worst.

[Arthur Alchin]

Yes Greg, going to chance the 16. packed in the car alread, if i get there and it stays in the the car that's how it is but i'm willing to give it a go

[gb_astro]

I have a key but could not be there until 6, but that gives you 2 hours before sunset.
Greg.

[Rick Petrie]

Would have loved to come but have a 40th birthday to attend.
Hope you guys have good viewing.:)

[sally1jack]

hoping to get there late see how i go
phil :thumbsup:

[Allan_L]

Had a repair job that took longer than exoected.
Weather still not definite.

Will start towards attending.
Darn, have to include dinner before I go now GB has deferred th Christmas BBQ.
Oh well.
Will getting ready and make a final call when ready to go.

Probably not until about 6:30 at this rate (that will put me there about 7:30.
Still thats an hour before it starts to get dark anyway.
Sorry Kev.
But plenty of others who can help set you up if you get there before me.
See you about 7:30 (weather still permitting)
Al

[Allan_L]

OK.
I guess I am up for the drive.
Hope someone else is still there.
BOM indicates clouds may pass so :rover2:

[Inmykombi]

Sorry everyone,
I had a crazy day in Sydney picking up another work van and spending some time with the Grandkids.
I didn't get home till late in the day.
When I checked outside this evening, the sky looked OK.

I hope you all had a great night.

See ya soon.

[Allan_L]

A nice little turn out.
And the weather teased us but ended up providing some nice viewing opportunities.
Thanks to everyone who turned up.
Arthur Alchin: Very nice little scope there AA. 16 inches of joy. But it is louder than any coffee grinder I have heard of. I predict some mods before next outing. Beautiful views, nice accuracy in goto. Me thinks "You're going to need a bigger boat" to transport her.
Gb_astro: good to catch up again Greg.
GMB_filter: been a while Geoff. Hope you make it more often now that you should have more free time.
arc4ne: First timer Kev arrived with his new (to him) scope. Very nice DOB there Kev. Gave some very pleasing views of Jupiter, Orion Nebula, 47tuc, and other usual suspects. Loved that WOW! moment with your first light of Jupiter.
Enjoyed your company everyone.
Maybe do it again Next Week.

Finally the dew got to us and we all decided on an early night.
I locked the gate at 1:18am.

[arc4ne]

Thanks guys, was great :)

Look forward to seeing you all again soon. :thumbsup:

[gb_astro]

Amazingly no thunder storms and the clouds mostly cleared after 9.
But anyone who did not attend did not miss much viewing wise.
Even when the clouds parted there was a high hazy background to everything that made all the faint stuff pretty dim.

Highlite was watching Arthur get that monster 16" up and running.
Great to meet Kevin and his 8'. Quite a contrast the 8 and 16 Skywatchers side by side.
They were the only two scopes there.

John has agreed to bring his BBQ next week so the BBQ is back on for the 15th, weather and collective enthusiasm permitting.

Greg.

[Inmykombi]

I just cant seem to get a break folks.
I cant make it next week either unless its a very early night for me.
I have to be in Sydney for the Grand-daughters birthday on Sunday 16th.

anyway I will try to get there scope-less and leave early.

Fingers crossed.

Geoffro.

[Shano592]

Well, I'm still up for it this Saturday. If the weather plays nice, it will be a good end to the year.

If not, then it will be Friday night on the balcony...

[Rick Petrie]

I am out again this weekend due to another Christmas function.:(
Just can't seem to find any time lately to scratch myself, and I am very itchy.:P
For good skies that is.;)
Merry Christmas to all and hope next year is a good one to us all.:xmas::reindeer:
Cheers

[Arthur Alchin]

Thankyou Greg and Allan with your assist with the monster, your knowledge of big aperture scopes is amazing.

May or may not get there this Sat, if so i will be scopeless as i have to start work at 0700 on Sunday morning. If i don't get there have a great Christmas and a safe new year.

Don't forget to keep in mind the Chaffey Dam Camp on the 6th to the 10th March. Hopefully if will be great. The numbers of both Amateurs and interest-eds is growing by the week.

Take Care

AA

[sally1jack]

I'm unable to make this week, i have a 7 year old dance concert to attend:party2:

[Shano592]

Wow, Phil, that is quite an old concert!

Back on track, it looks like we may be clouded in YET AGAIN!

Hopefully, 7-timer has gotten it wrong, and it will be as crisp seeing as Thursday night was.

[gb_astro]

Not looking too good at the moment.
Looks like possible early evening showers with overcaste till midnight then clearing a bit. Only hope is if the huge cloud band over the state speeds up a lot in its westerly travel.

Greg.

Edit: Hmmm... sun has just come out in Sydney.

[gb_astro]

Ok BBQ postponed again and baring miracles I'm out.

2012 was certinly not a classic year, hopefully 2013 treats us better.

Merry Christmas to all.

Greg.

[gmbfilter]

Greg,
Have a great Christmas.
See you next year

[Irish stargazer]

Have a great Christmas everyone.
I plan to do some planetary imaging from the backyard this holiday given the full moon timing (among other things)
::astron::fishing::cheers:

[Rodstar]

Yes, looks utterly clouded out here at Point Clare.

Merry Christmas to one and all. Hope to see you all more often in 2013.

[Allan_L]

Unfortunately, I agree that there is an ice cubes hopes in hell of the sky clearing enough to warrant the trip up the mountain tonight.

And it looks to be set in with no sign of a good night in the next 7 days.

So ...
Happy Summer Solstice celebrations to everyone (read:"Winter Solstice" for Northern Hemisphere readers, if any).
Hope you survive the EOW.
And look forward to seeing you (and your new Astro Toys) next year.

GB :question: perhaps we can change the Christmas BBQ to be an Australia Day BBQ :)
...(weather permitting)

[bones]

Its a no show for me tonight. Been spitting wet stuff on and off here at Berkeley Vale since mid-arvo. Merry Christmas to all.
Regards
Tony

[Allan_L]

Is anyone interested in an EOW get together?
I know we have been trying for a PC pre-Christmas celebration,
Which has been deferred (indefinitely) due to weather.
But i would still like to get together, and what better excuse than 'the End of the World" ... as we know it.
Or Astronomically, the rare alignment of our solar system with the galactic heart.

Just a thought :question:

If not, then, Merry Christmas and a Happy Summer Solstice.
See you on the other side...

[gb_astro]

I'm interested.
We could have a moon and planets night.
Weather is pretty erratic though.
Greg.

[Irish stargazer]

Good idea. Saturday??

[Allan_L]

No Offence John,
But only an "Irish Stargazer" would plan an "End of the World" party for
THE NEXT DAY After. :rofl:

[Irish stargazer]

Ah, but if we are all still around then there will be something to celebrate that day and not nervous wrecks waiting for midnight to pass on the actual day.
Can't do tonight.:drink:

[Irish stargazer]

Actually we are not officially out of the woods until 5pm tomorrow which is midnight in Mexico city. It was a Mayan calendar after all so it's the local time that counts ;)