2023 Mangrove Mountain Pony Club Thread

Shano592 (Shane) · #1 15-02-2023, 07:12 PM

Hi all,

How has everyone been?

Not sure of the status of the PC right now, but I'll try to dig around online tonight or tomorrow.

I'm pretty keen to possibly get up the hill for at least a few hours on Saturday night, Feb 18 (still have my key).

I just have one thing to sort out...

It has been 3 years since I took out the LX200, but gave it a run to see the ultra-transient Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF). The only issue I had was that the GPS data rolled into a corrupted phase at the end of 2019, apparently... now the scope thinks it is 2099! I have a patch, but I'm waiting on a circuit board to allow me to make the needed 507 cable, in order to send the patch to the scope.

Aside from that, everything is working wonderfully!

Shano592 (Shane) · #2 16-02-2023, 08:10 PM

Right, update completed. After messing around a bit, I was finally able to get the update done. Telescope now believes me that up is up.

Michelle and I will definitely be looking to head up on Saturday night, weather permitting.

All are welcome to join us.

glend (Glen) · #3 17-02-2023, 12:04 AM

I am sure there are many folks that would like an update on what has happened at the Pony Club in the last few years, like are there houses there now, or street lights, etc.

If you have a Sky Quality Metre, a check on the SQM score would be helpful too. There has been, well up until Covid, a gradual intrusion of the Sydney / Central Coast light dome, your assessment would be welcome. It's too far for me to make a speculative trip this time.

Shano592 (Shane) · #4 17-02-2023, 09:18 AM

Hi Glen,

All really good points. Unfortunately, I don't have a sky quality meter, but I have pretty strong memories of how much the NW Sydney and even Gosford glows were creeping towards the PC.

I'll certainly report on it, on Sunday though.

astropolak (Joe) · #5 17-02-2023, 12:08 PM

Shane

Have you confirmed your key actually works..., they may have changed the lock.

Had exactly the same problem with my LX200.

Intending to visit PC Sat night..., weather permitting.

RGDS Joe

Shano592 (Shane) · #6 17-02-2023, 06:59 PM

I haven't confirmed my key! I thought that we supplied our one. The gate has several in a chain, for each organisation's individual access. That is, we unlock a different lock to the the resident Pony Club.

If we are locked out, there is always Bloodtree Reserve...

astropolak (Joe) · #7 18-02-2023, 10:22 AM

Shane
Can we agree on a ETA time for this ?

Where is the Bloodtree reserve exactly ?

Joe

Shano592 (Shane) · #8 18-02-2023, 10:55 AM

I'm thinking that I'll get there at about 7pm. It won't be properly dark until after 8:30, looking at the sky last night.

BOM is suggesting the chance of a thunderstorm, in the 8-10pm band. Hopefully it doesn't happen, and that any cloud is fleeting.

Bloodtree Reserve is in Central Mangrove, on Bloodtree Road. This road forks directly off of Wisemans Ferry Rd, towards Kulnura.

Shano592 (Shane) · #9 18-02-2023, 05:14 PM

The weather is looking decidedly poor here, and west of the Mountain is also not great.

What do you think, Joe? Is it worth the trip, or shall we give it away today?

astropolak (Joe) · #10 18-02-2023, 05:18 PM

Shaun

Not looking good today..., tomorrow night ?

Joe

RB (Andrew) · #11 18-02-2023, 05:22 PM

Clouding over and thunder in the distance guys.

astropolak (Joe) · #12 18-02-2023, 05:33 PM

Hi Andrew

The weather is conspiring against us I am afraid.

Joe

astropolak (Joe) · #13 18-02-2023, 05:43 PM

We have sunshine here in Hornsby now

Joe

Shano592 (Shane) · #14 18-02-2023, 05:43 PM

Yeah, we can hear the thunder on the coast, too.

Definitely off today. Tomorrow is an option, for sure! I don't have work on Monday.

I forgot you were up there, Andrew. We could be employing you to burn off the clouds with your lightsabers!

RB (Andrew) · #15 18-02-2023, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by astropolak

Hi Andrew

The weather is conspiring against us I am afraid.

Joe

Quote:

Originally Posted by astropolak

We have sunshine here in Hornsby now

Joe

Yes it is Joe, unfortunately.
Typical weather.

I was going to surprise you guys.

It'll probably clear up later.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shano592

Yeah, we can hear the thunder on the coast, too.

Definitely off today. Tomorrow is an option, for sure! I don't have work on Monday.

I forgot you were up there, Andrew. We could be employing you to burn off the clouds with your lightsabers!

Yeah Shane, I'll give it a try.
Batteries are fully charged and sabres are ready to deploy.

astropolak (Joe) · #16 19-02-2023, 05:07 PM

Shane

Are you heading to PC tonight ?

Joe

glend (Glen) · #17 20-02-2023, 10:14 PM

Is there a report from the Pony Club attendees?

RB (Andrew) · #18 20-02-2023, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glend

Is there a report from the Pony Club attendees?

Nay ...
😂

Shano592 (Shane) · #19 24-02-2023, 05:51 PM

Sorry Glen, we were clouded out last week.

I'm looking at tomorrow as a potential night out. I know the moon will be around a quarter, but it is better than a full moon!

RB (Andrew) · #20 24-02-2023, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shano592

Sorry Glen, we were clouded out last week.

I'm looking at tomorrow as a potential night out. I know the moon will be around a quarter, but it is better than a full moon!

I’m going to try and make it Shane.
Hope Joe can make it too.

Bloodtree Road or PC?