The NAS viewing night.

Orion · #1 31-07-2005, 08:08 PM

Hi all,
Just writing a little something (maybe not so little) about our societies (NAS) viewing night.
Saturday night was the night and it was a real success. Although it didn't start of that way. I got to the observing site earlier on in the evening rushing to get there before dark so I could set up with a bit of light still remaining. I wasn't the first one there another member was there waiting for the gate to be opened. More members showed up and finally someone had the key to the gate. Well it was well into dark and we tried to open the gate and to our surprise the thing would not open. Apparently someone hit the post with the bulbar and bent it so we could not get the lock off! Out came the tools and within 10min or so we had it opened.

We set up, and people started arriving. I scanned the skies for the popular objects to show the public and the atmosphere was quite a happy one. Kids and their parents stepping up to see the wonders of the heavens it really does my heart good. I also got a kick out seeing my work mates come along to enjoy the show. Scott had a play around with finding imaginary nebular that apparently only he can see. LOL.

Around 10 or 10.30 people started leaving and it was time to do some imaging. I dusted off the DSI and Scott, George and I started to play around with it. It has only been the third time I used it so we had to get the hang of it and with a big dob it's not easy. We got a few images in before the battery was exhausted in the laptop.

Here is some images, M80, Ring Neb, Triffid Neb and the Saturn Neb. Oh and by the way it is not the ku clux clang viewing night LOL. (although it looks like that in the photos!)