Jupiter, the Moon & Cane Toads

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Hi Folks
A bit of news from the NT, below is an excert from my "NT Dark Skies" Blog page.

Our first viewing night in quite a while was held on Sat the 26th March at the Gove Country Golf club, to view the close conjunction of Jupiter & the Moon.
The evening started with cloud from a big thunderstorm nearby, rolling overhead, blanketing the sky.
Distant lighting was visible in the early evening, fortunately though we sat it out.
Despite this early cloud we managed to get a good view of the conjunction.
One of our newest astronomers saw first light through his 8" dobsonian telescope, a close conjunction between Jupiter & the moon was a great way to start.
We managed to get a good look at Saturn as well, always a pleasing sight.
The evenings entertainment was supplemented by a group of "enthusiastic" young men out with their 4WD & golf clubs for a bit of "Cane Toad Golf", in the bush adjacent to the golf club.
If you are a Queenslander, you will know what this is all about!
You would have to say this came as an entertaining surprise to one of our guests for the evening, having only recently arrived in Nhulunbuy from the cultured shores of France (A bit of "Sport" NT style)

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

lol Ian.

I wonder how Cane Toads go launched from a Dob! Kaboooom!!!!

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

The cane toad hunting had to be seen to be believed !
2 or 3 guys running around with the golf clubs, shouting to the 4WD driver, over here..over here, shine the headlights .....
Should have got it on film !

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

French did you say, maybe they where planning a BBQ (or soup)with their catch.

I imagine the 4WD headlights were a great hit on a viewing night too!

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

The Frenchman was our guest!
Your right about the headlights ..
Any other night than a full moon, and we would have been a bit more concerned.

[janoskiss (Steve H)]

Didn't realise the toads were that bad up your way!

I don't think Beattie's $1m is anywhere near enough to deal with the problem. It is better than nothing though. Let's hope it ends up in the right hands.

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Originally posted by gaa_ian
The Frenchman was our guest!

Oops! Sorry Ian

[Mick (Michael)]

lol what a waste of good cane toads, Ian. Cane toad cricket is a good sport as well but this is how cane toads should end up. cane toad

[gaa_ian (Ian)]

Oh yes ... they would be a must have !
What better way for a young trendsetter to impress the new girlfriend ...lol

[rowena]

or... if your not into clubbing them.. 1 part detol to around 6 parts water.. use a sprayer bottle and spray on their backs! they die in about 2 minutes... you get a whole lot more this way!

Or the other thing is if you have kids in high school.. you will know all about this one... the kids normally have to go out and catch a few toads, then chuck them in a freezer (preferably in a container before they put them in the freezer), take to school the next day and disect! lotsa fun!

rowena