Pony Club tonight?

[quantoid (Mike)]

Hi I was thinking of making my first trip to the "pony club" at Mangrove Mountain with my new 10" Dob, as it looks like being a clear night.

Is there a meeting on tonight? Can anyone turn up and set up even if there's no meeting organised?

[AG Hybrid (Adrian)]

Normally, star parties or astronomy gatherings at a dark sky site like the Pony Club are usually organized on a new moon weekend or there about. The moon is currently over 96% making a dark site not so dark at all.

[glend (Glen)]

You will need someone with a key to the gate to turn up and there has been no discussion of going there tonight. Suggest you post up in the Pony Club thread and ask. The usual Pony Club trips are during periods when the moon is not so full, as it floods the sky with light and makes observation of faint objects very difficult.

Your more than welcome to bring your dob along to the Bretti dark site camp in a couple of weeks during the New Moon period, and many of the Pony Club guys will be there.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

Hi Mike and welcome to the group.

As Glen suggested there are a group of us going up to Bretti Reserve (via Gloucester) for the August new moon.

This type of occasion occurs maybe 4-6 times a year. There will. Still be a contingent of people who stay home and use the pony club that weekend but I don't know how many, all you can do is keep an eye on the forum or start up a thread entitles " pony club August new moon".

There will be people coming to Bretti all week, some stay one night, me, well I am going to try and stay 6 nights ( from the 25th) you are most welcome to come up but you would need your camping gear, food and drinks.

There are toilets there but no showers but water is always available from the river 20 metes away.

Can always give me a call if you want more details 0400372813.

There will be a lot of knowledge and experience up there and we always have a great time..

Back to you

[quantoid (Mike)]

Thanks for the info I'll watch out for the new moon.