The South Pacific Star Party: 13 - 15 April, 2007 - who's going? - Page 3

stringscope (Ian) · #41 04-03-2007, 12:02 PM

I am only a 50% possibility at this stage

However, I am trying to remain optimistic.

okiscopey (Mike) · #42 04-03-2007, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stringscope

I am only a 50% possibility at this stage

Hmm. Throws the calculations out a bit!

Will count you as '0.5' in the completely unofficial okiskopey IIS tally for the moment.

So far we have .. let's see ...oh yes, here's the scrap of paper in a pile of unpaid bills ...

It's now 17.5 IIS folks, plus 11 or 12 kids, partners, better halves, SWMBO's, HRH's and an indeterminate number of funnel webs.

Looks like we don't (yet) need a panoramic camera for the group shot!

xstream (John) · #43 04-03-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okiscopey

It's now 17.5 IIS folks, plus 11 or 12 kids, partners, better halves, SWMBO's, HRH's and an indeterminate number of funnel webs.

Looks like we don't (yet) need a panoramic camera for the group shot!

I think you'll find the funnel webs will out number us at least a 100/1.

Rodstar (Rod) · #44 04-03-2007, 04:46 PM

What day are people planning to get there?

I am working on SWMBO to get a leave pass on Thursday so I can have three full nights of observing (and wine and cheese appreciation).

xstream (John) · #45 04-03-2007, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodstar

What day are people planning to get there?

I am working on SWMBO to get a leave pass on Thursday so I can have three full nights of observing (and wine and cheese appreciation).

Anna, Petra, Dave and myself will be there from the Thursday till the Monday for four full nights observing (and of course the wine and cheese appreciation).

h0ughy (David) · #46 04-03-2007, 05:57 PM

I hope to be there on the wednesday to setup, but that is looking doubtfull with work AT the moment, so thursday may be the day for me to turn up. Also I am a bit worried about taking the losmandy for a few reasons - need to learn to use it, and powering this mount. It draws heaps from the battery and it likes 13 volts or better. batteries will only give 12 down to 10.5 and with the colder nights the bateries capacity is inhibited as well. might just be a eq6 only camp for me this year, until they get 240V power to the site and run it out ye olde drive in style, plonk and plug in to the juice and off you go. Well I suppose thats what grape juice is for......to make up for the goto, you just slew around a bit and find a target, tracking is a bit off and well and autoguider could be steering in the direction back to the tent. Is that right Mike?

iceman (Mike) · #47 04-03-2007, 06:42 PM

I think i'll just be there fri + sat - don't think I could push it to the thursday night.

I don't think i'll be doing any planetary imaging, unless RB loans his hotbox. I need 240v with my imaging rig!

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #48 04-03-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

I think i'll just be there fri + sat - don't think I could push it to the thursday night.

I don't think i'll be doing any planetary imaging, unless RB loans his hotbox. I need 240v with my imaging rig!

You can use my 120AH battery and inverter Mike. How much current do you draw at 240V? Will a 300W inverter do it?

Cheers
Chris

Rodstar (Rod) · #49 04-03-2007, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xstream

Anna, Petra, Dave and myself will be there from the Thursday till the Monday for four full nights observing (and of course the wine and cheese appreciation).

That's great! I'll see you all on Thursday, then.

HOughy, can you bring your PST Coronado? I would love to enjoy some more solar views during the day. It'll be nice to catch up with you, mate.

Mike, you'll have a cosy spot at the far side of my circus tent when you get there on the Friday. Are you planning to bring the dob mount and do some push-to-ing? Or will you still bring the EQ mount?

okiscopey (Mike) · #50 04-03-2007, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodstar

HOughy, can you bring your PST Coronado?

Can I be second in the queue Mr HOugy?

Keen on buying one, but FUD has prevailed up to now, not to mention CSF (considerable shortage of funds).

h0ughy (David) · #51 04-03-2007, 08:46 PM

the PST is standard equipment.......................... ............why I ever sold my first one I will never know...........tickets 2 looks for a dollar, 5 looks for a ginger beer

okiscopey (Mike) · #52 05-03-2007, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

the PST is standard equipment... 2 looks for a dollar, 5 looks for a ginger beer

I'll bring 50 cents, only want one look.

Omaroo (Chris Malikoff) · #53 05-03-2007, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okiscopey

I'll bring 50 cents, only want one look.

You're being ripped off.

I'll bring my EXT-60 with Thousand Oaks film and you can look through that for free. I know that it doesn't have all the fancy H-alpha filters on it and wotnot - but it IS free.

RB (Andrew) · #54 05-03-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iceman

I don't think i'll be doing any planetary imaging, unless RB loans his hotbox. I need 240v with my imaging rig!

We'll organise something Mike.
As long as you don't fall onto my gear, it'll be cool........

xstream (John) · #55 05-03-2007, 04:13 PM

I'll also bring a PST.

Rodstar (Rod) · #56 05-03-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xstream

I'll also bring a PST.

Thanks John. Maybe we can set up yours and Houghy's side by side and get a bino-effect??!!

okiscopey (Mike) · #57 05-03-2007, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xstream

I'll also bring a PST.

Are your rates cheaper than h0ughy's?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omaroo

I'll bring my EXT-60 with Thousand Oaks film and you can look through that for free.

I'll bring my ETX125 with the same film and only charge $1 for a peek.

h0ughy (David) · #58 05-03-2007, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okiscopey

Are your rates cheaper than h0ughy's?

I'll bring my ETX125 with the same film and only charge $1 for a peek.

One upmanship is alive and well, thousand oaks filters for the C8, the ed80, the 10" Lx200R, and the sigma 50-500 lens.......free looks, and a free photo of you looking through the scope.......

okiscopey (Mike) · #59 06-03-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by h0ughy

....free looks, and a free photo of you looking through the scope.......

Now I like the sound of that!

But to ask a serious question, I haven't been to Wiruna before - I gather there are two observing fields, but is it possible at either to set up next to a car to access extra amp-hours?

Rodstar (Rod) · #60 06-03-2007, 09:04 PM

Mike, you are allowed to park your car on the observing field, but you have to leave it there overnight, and it has to pass inspection as being white-light free. I usually park on the field, and unplug my car battery so that there are no white lights.

Virtually no one uses the second field, for some reason it has never really taken off.