A couple of us can't make it to a dark site this month, so with the time we do have we're putting up the offer of a session open to everyone for this Sunday 15'th of November at Randwick Girls' High School in Sydney's eastern suburbs.
Hickny has made their oval available for a 7pm start.
Bring yourself, bring your scope or scopes, bring your enthusiasm.
These things were considered 'Portable' when new. I discover new muscle groups every time I move it. We tend to forget just how massive the original Dobsonian telescopes really were back then. These Coulter dobsonians were revolutionary for a commercially made dob as the mirror cell they employed didnot require the primary mirror to be removed for transport, something not even contemplated these days.
Hey folks! Just got onto this forum - I'm brand-spankin' new here. Got a nice 6" Newtonian to bring along and learn how to use properly. Eager to meet up with some Sydney Astronomers! Like many here, may have to check with the wife... or just bring her along.
G'day flawedperfect (or is that perfectlyflawed?),
& to IIS.
Hope you can make it this Sunday. The 6" Newt., your first scope? Pretty good stuff if it is. Mine was a little 2" refractor. Still, I learnt the ropes with it. I'm now contemplating converting it into a 'new' finder.
This get together is a chance for all newcomers to this hobby to pick the brains to some older heads. We ALL learn from these experiences. I wish I had these opportunities when I started out.
Below is a map of where the school is in Randwick, corner of Avoca & Barker streets. Entry to the school is via the roundabout on Barker Street, opposite the Prince of Wales Hospital. The entrance is right on the roundabout. Head down the driveway to the Hall/Gym and turn left at the signs we'll put up. Access to the oval is a little further down on the right immediately after the Hall:
Hi All,
I intend on opening the gates around 7:15pm. Sunset is at 7:37pm and astronomical twilight begins around 9:13pm. Mental4Astro will be erecting a few sign s on how to get out onto the oval. Here's hoping for a clear night . See you there.
I shall be there with bells on. Am gonna try out the scope tonight down at Stanwell tops. I know it's not "ideal" but I want to try out a few things - some alignment techniques, the new barlow I picked up, and see how far I get. Tomorrow night, I hope to learn HEAPS more, and have some folks check out my scope and give me tips for alignments and stuff. Hope to meet some faces around!
(and it's flawed PREfect. A play on words to be sure; but mainly because FORD prefect was taken )
Sydney 15/11/09 impromtu star party, Randwick
:2 thumbs:
, & there will be plenty of 'tutors'.
& 
to IIS.
on how to get out onto the oval. Here's hoping for a clear night 
