Tassy Ice in Spacers Clouded Over but remain Undaunted

Moonman (Michael) · #1 05-09-2005, 12:50 AM

Bridgenorth 2nd September Report

Well congratulations is deserved for Moonman(myself) , Photon, davidpretorius and the redoubtable Mr Acropolite for venturing forth to Bridgenorth as planned.

The night was mainly cloudy but a few breaks in the cloud cover allowed a few peeks. To the South East we got a quick peek at 47 Tuccane and over towards the West in Sagitarius we spotted the Lagoon Nebula.

David brought along his 10 inch Dob replete with a base modified with the addition of a Lazy Susan attachment which allowed virtually effortless maneuvering.

David also filled us in on his preliminary plans to motorise his DOB for GOTO and tracking capabilities. We are all eager to see this project unfold and be successfull.

We also got a look through Daves 2 inch F30 80 degree Fov Superview Eyepiece. This dramatically increased FOV over the standard eyepieces we were familiar with and I think a few will be shipped to Tassy in the not too distant future as a result as these retail at a very reasonable $149.00.

We also got to view another startling and innovative adaption made to Ian's (Photon) Telescope. Ian has purchased a laser pointer and fitted it into a specially modified plastic tube and clamped this to the side of his 8 inch Dob just to the side of his finderscope. The laser pointer has significantly improved Ian's ability to position his telescope quickly and find what he is intending to observe.

Finally the main highlight was Phil's LX90. While cloudy skies pretty much interfered with any substantial viewing we still got to see a demonstration of the GOTO's operation.

Once again thanks to Ian for making his home available and to Shirley who provided some very delicous nibblies and Hot Chocolates during the evening.

A good night was had by all and this was definitely evident by the the fact that we stayed out well up to Midnight from our 8pm start.

Yes the 'craziness' in starting to take hold.

Moonman (Michael) · #2 05-09-2005, 01:01 AM

Oh Yes I forgot to mention the it turns out that Photon and Acropolite are old Work Buddies from way back and they virtually only live a stones throw (well maybe a very long stones throw) from each other down the road.

That's Tassy for you, don't insult anyone down here as chances are they are related to your boss. I guess that's why any real postions of importance in this state get filled by mainlanders.

iceman (Mike) · #3 05-09-2005, 06:49 AM

Great report Michael, that's what these observing sessions are all about! Before long you'll have a group of 6-10 I bet.. close friends are made through nights like this.

It's always great to see what others have done to their scopes.. next time, I want to see pictures!

Moonman (Michael) · #4 05-09-2005, 08:37 AM

Yes I always seem to get caught on the hop with regards to the camera. Next month I'll make a definite effort to take the camera and get some shots.

davidpretorius · #5 05-09-2005, 09:12 AM

good report Moonman!!!

i really enjoyed it, i have even got a red light that sticks to my head now like phil and ian. $30 odd bucks from Coles supermarket!!

Cmon mate, you are the odd one out to look like a martian.

My family cracked itself up when i put it on my head!

toetoe (Peter) · #6 05-09-2005, 09:14 AM

Good reading Michael, nice report. It's great to meet up with people like this to enjoy ones passion.

Miaplacidus (Brian) · #7 05-09-2005, 09:37 AM

Hi, Michael, nice report. I was at Mt Canopus for the AST's regular Hands On Astronomy night. We were slightly more blessed with the weather, one of those funny nights when the whole sky would disappear, and then ten minutes later virtually clear from horizon to horizon.

I met a nice guy named Joseph who'd brought along his brand spanking new LX90. What a dream scope that is! In about 10 minutes we caught up on about 30 years of astronomy as we steered from glob to glob in Sagittarius, and from galaxy to galaxy elsewhere (NGC 55 and the Silver Coin). It made my puny Megrez seem positively pedestrian, although that complemented the night with some nice wide-field views, such as the Lagoon and Trifid in the same FOV of the good ol' Andrews 30mm UWA. Also Antares nicely balanced by M4. (Can't wait for M45, M42!)

47 Tuc, of course, and Omega Centauri. (The Jewel Box was nicely magnified in the LX90 when we looked at it early, but I think perhaps the scope wasn't properly cooled yet and it was stirred a bit by tube currents.) Unfortunately a rude roof got in the way of Albireo, but apart from that we mowed down an amazing amount of the sky.

Naturally we got talking about equipment and add-ons. (I'm pretty sure it won't be long before a focal reducer is purchased from Bintel.)

One of my most enjoyable evenings for a long time. (Thanks a million, Joseph!)

Regards,

Brian.

acropolite (Phil) · #8 05-09-2005, 07:09 PM

Great to catch up with the other Lonny IISers. I couldn't believe it when I turned up and Photon turned out to be an old workmate. We played a very unsuccessful game of chase with the clouds; I didn't even manage to get the LX properly aligned as the alignment stars clouded over before adjustments were made. The pattern seemed to repeat itself all night, the clouds teased, with patches opening rapidly only to close just as quickly wherever we pointed. Saw a 30mm SV EP in the flesh, O.M.G. it's huge....I wouldn't want do drop one on my foot, but the most impressive item of equipment, for me, was Ian's green laser. I have to have one... Many thanks to Mrs Photon for the hot chocolate and bikkies. I'm looking forward to our next get together.

Moonman (Michael) · #9 05-09-2005, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidpretorius

good report Moonman!!!

i really enjoyed it, i have even got a red light that sticks to my head now like phil and ian. $30 odd bucks from Coles supermarket!!

Cmon mate, you are the odd one out to look like a martian.

My family cracked itself up when i put it on my head!

I eyed one off on when in Kmart today. Unfortunately I had just purchased a bike for my Son's 14th Birthday and it just seemed like too much of a push on the budget.

However I have no doubt that when I go back next time such matters will not be weighing on my mind and I'll just buy one.

With all these eye pieces, head lights and motorised Dobsonians hanging about we must all just look like a bunch of DALEK wannabes.

Photon · #10 05-09-2005, 10:20 PM

Nice write up Moonman we certainly found heaps to talk about, and look at, regardless of the clouds. I can't wait for next new moon to see the advances to Dave's motorised Dob and the camera in action! Can't imagine what my backyard will look like with 4 red headlights popping up and down either!! Phil's GOTO Meade was an experience it will be great to use it with a clear sky. I'm pretty rapped with the green pointer I know exactly where the scope is pointed! Glad you enjoyed the night. Photon.

davidpretorius · #11 05-09-2005, 10:23 PM

do what i did, go food shopping with the wife and kids (always a winner with the wife).

make sure you go past the magazine section and insist that she grabs one of those trashy mags they like. make sure you appear to be having a great time food shopping and that the time spent with the family is your highlight of the day!

when you get to the check out and she sees what you have thrown in (ie the torch) say that it is to help see when you are doing those little jobs around the house, like when the power goes out and you need to be safety conscious and use two hands to change a fuse.

she will see thu it from a mile away, but i bet you will end up the torch.

yes we will look extra geeky and darleky, but who cares.

i might even surprise the wife one night and race into the bedroom with nothing but my head torch on.

Moonman (Michael) · #12 05-09-2005, 11:04 PM

Now thats a use for the torch I hadn't thought of.