Lost Nights

[technofetishism (Nick)]

After a frustrating night a couple weeks ago software wise, I decided to completely reinstall all my software while at work and get the full astrometry.net and skytools catalogs while at it in prep for the next clear night.

Hoorah, tonight is a clear night, the catch.... I left the laptop at work.

Damnit

Whats the most frustratingly silly reason youve missed a night observing?

Did you Forget your eyepiece case? Did you forget to charge your batteries? Did you forget the scope?

I'm curious to know. :-)

[big_dav_2001 (Davin)]

I had a trip out to the Capertee valley a few weeks ago. Due to me not driving, and no friends who own large cars, it was to be my first ever time taking the Dob to a dark-sky site, so I was pretty keen...

Packed everything up, EP case packed up, batteries charged, scope ready to move... Got to the site, got the camp set up and began setting up the scope, only to discover my case containing my 2-inch eyepieces missing. Instead, I'd picked up my case of lesser-quality (borderline junk) 1.25-inch EP's, and no 1.25 adaptor...

My tip; either store your eyepieces in different-looking cases so you don't pick up the wrong one, or take both cases... Lol

Thankfully, a friend brought her DSLR and tripod, so I had a crack at some nightscape shots, got some good results (for a first attempt anyway), which I'll post soon

Davin

[madwayne (Wayne)]

I recently, Anzac Day, drove from Robertson (near Bowral) to Mudgee for our club's annual star party at the Observatory up there. Arrived in plenty of time, set the tent up, got all the imaging gear assembled and waited for dark. Polar alignment done, slewed to M93 and POP! One blown up laptop. Drove back to Robertson the next morning and picked up my dob and eyepieces and drove back again the next day.

Nothing forgotten but gee I covered some miles

Wayne

[big_dav_2001 (Davin)]

Originally Posted by madwayne

I recently, Anzac Day, drove from Robertson (near Bowral) to Mudgee for our club's annual star party at the Observatory up there. Arrived in plenty of time, set the tent up, got all the imaging gear assembled and waited for dark. Polar alignment done, slewed to M93 and POP! One blown up laptop. Drove back to Robertson the next morning and picked up my dob and eyepieces and drove back again the next day.

Nothing forgotten but gee I covered some miles

Wayne

Why would you ever want to leave Robertson??...to go anywhere??... That's Gods country right there (not to mention the worlds best pies ).. I've spent many weekends camping out at Carrington falls, absolutely beautiful area, one of my favorite places anywhere.

Davin

[madwayne (Wayne)]

I hear you Davin. Beautiful part of the world and lovely people here in our village. Pretty dark skies too as we are right on the outskirts of town and not a street light to be seen.

Mudgee is a tradition with our society and it goes for 9 nights. Plenty of happy hour cheer and the skies are really dark.

Wayne