Am I being too optimistic setting up tonight?

[1ponders] (Paul) · #1 15-01-2009, 06:53 PM

Well it's been a month today since my last opportunity to fully setup and nearly 2 months before that. (Smilie moon faces don't count

) It looks promising for tonight but am I getting my hopes up too high.

astroron (Ron) · #2 15-01-2009, 07:39 PM

I have already Setup and am ready to go

acropolite (Phil) · #3 15-01-2009, 07:43 PM

I voted less than 50%, I have to work tomorrow and I don't function well without sleep. But tommorow night's another story....

[1ponders] (Paul) · #4 15-01-2009, 07:43 PM

Yep I've often considered becoming a Dob owner.

matt · #5 15-01-2009, 07:44 PM

Was just wondering the same.

Hmmm.

Wish I wasn't feeling so tired, though.

AlexN · #6 15-01-2009, 07:57 PM

Mate, it looks nice enough to me! I would be set up if I didnt have to work at 5am

This past few clear nights has really annoyed me because I've not been able to enjoy it!

Go for gold son!

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #7 15-01-2009, 08:13 PM

Tonight is going to be better than last night!! (I'm still set up)
I'm heading back outside shortly.
My advice is to get out there Paul, enjoy 3 hours of dark sky goodness. It'll do you the world of good.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #8 15-01-2009, 08:20 PM

I've got the mount setup but I've not put anything on it yet. I'll wait to see if these rolls of clouds break up. Bit frustrating really. It looked great this arvo and then on sunset it started to move in from the west. Fingers crossed.

AlexN · #9 15-01-2009, 08:23 PM

Geez Paul... I'd want to get the cables sorted out before dark... you could end up in quite a pickle with the amount of cables you've got to deal with!

[1ponders] (Paul) · #10 15-01-2009, 08:27 PM

Nah..could do that blindfolded and in my sleep.

astroron (Ron) · #11 15-01-2009, 08:30 PM

Maybe not so good for imaging,

but might get some visual observing in

[1ponders] (Paul) · #12 15-01-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astroron

but might get some visual observing in

I might just drag out a blanket and a set of binoculars for a while. I've also go a mag -8 Iridium due at 20:15, might try to get that onto a chip.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #13 15-01-2009, 08:46 PM

The clouds seem to be thinning out and I reckon it'll clear.

jjjnettie (Jeanette) · #14 15-01-2009, 08:47 PM

Thanks for the heads up on the iridium Paul.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #15 15-01-2009, 08:51 PM

Don't know how bright it will be out your way Jeanette, it's only -5 at Ron's. The center is 1.5 km to my east but 8.8 east from Ron's. I doubt if you will see it.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #16 15-01-2009, 08:55 PM

Just checked for Villeneuve and it's -3 there at 20:15:28 Alt 49 deg Az 89 deg (due east right next to Sirius).

thunderchildobs · #17 15-01-2009, 09:11 PM

It is clear in ipswich, and supernova hunting is underway.

[1ponders] (Paul) · #18 15-01-2009, 09:25 PM

Go get 'em Brenden. Good luck!!

I got to see the flare, nice and bright, unfortunately I rushed my camera focus and I was soft. Never mind.

The clouds are playing "Look over here...there's a sucker hole....No it's over here now...no over here" so it looks like I'll be taking option number 4 tonight, Sigourney Weaver and Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection tonight, seeing as I did Alien and Aliens last night

Ric · #19 15-01-2009, 09:25 PM

I voted according to my conditions tonight, thick cloud so I'll be keeping the cat company.

Hope you get a good night in Paul.

Cheers

astroron (Ron) · #20 15-01-2009, 10:49 PM

Just packed up Observed flair , brightest in Canis Major

Observed Comet P/144 Kushida in Taurus quite bright,seems brighter thanthe given mag of 10.8 some hint of a nuculus and maybe a short tail,maybe an image would confirm my suspicions

Used the Tour mode in the ARGO NAVIS to look at Open clusters in Canis Major then a quick look at VY Canis Major and the good old Tarantula and 47Tuc, then called it a night.A nice start to the next week or so of observing till the 24th Astronight