Practice Makes Perfect!

[sheeny (Al)]

Practice makes perfect... obviously a phrase first coined by an ancient amateur astronomer much like myself but thousands of years ago...

Great clear sunny day to day. Got home from work and had a play with the PST . Organised an early dinner cause if the weather holds I'll set the C8 up! Hmm, the moon's up so I might just do some imaging from the driveway rather than drive out of town... that's cool.

I set the scope up in the driveway, sky is clear, a bit more wind than I'd like, but it's coming from the east so the scope itself is sheltered by the house. The jetstream map this arvo was borderline - nothing outstanding. But otherwise all looks good . Looking forward to this!

I go inside to put some jeans, shoes and jumper on because the sun's about to set, and the temp is dropping, and I'm planning to start my drift alignment on the moon before it gets dark. Oh, it's all coming together...

All changed... Lyn's doing the washing up (a strange ritual we've had to adopt while the dishwasher is being repaired!) so I pick up a tea towel and wipe up. (Brownie point bonus motivation here)... Lyn comments to Billy (our dog) "Don't tell Alan it's overcast outside. He won't be very happy". A quick glance out the window... blue sky... whew... she's just jerking my chain!

I finish the wiping up, get out to the scope...

wouldn't you know it...

cloud!

From the eastern horizon to overhead and travelling west fast!

By the time I'd packed the scope up, the cloud was horizon to horizon!

At least I've practiced setting my scope up and packing it away! I can see where "Practice makes perfect" came from, I feel it, and can practically taste it. A keen amateur astronomer, setting up his portable henge, after a sumptuous meal of roast mammoth... only to find the clouds rolled in before the sun set...



Al.

[Lee]

I know how you feel Al. Has happened to me a few times now.....

[iceman (Mike)]

Those brownie points will come in handy sometime, Al!

[[1ponders] (Paul)]

Ahhhhh, no they won't, unless you use then in the first 24 hours . Then the counter resets

[astronut (John)]

Great story Al, and so true!!!

[Phil]

I have had the STL-11000M exposure for 30mins to get to 29mins and guess what clouds. But like you say practice makes perfect. Still hate then clouds.

[leon]

Same Here, two nights in a row, clear all day, all evening, set up scope and camera, go to bed so i can get up at 2.30am, go out side, yep, cloud from horizon to horizon, pack up, go to bed till morning, yep, you guesed it, crystal clear morning.

Anyway i find it easy now to pack up in drakness, it certainly gives you experience.

Cheers Leon