Central Coast February observing.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by Satchmo

...24 Panoptics were superb for wide field viewing. I'll bring the 24 Pans if you would like to try them.

Thanks Mark,
We can enjoy trialling them against
the 20mm WO UWs I have and
the Vixen LVW 22mm (I have one and Greg is bringing his spare)

Are they for sale?

[Satchmo]

Originally Posted by Allan_L

Thanks Mark,
We can enjoy trialling them against
the 20mm WO UWs I have and
the Vixen LVW 22mm (I have one and Greg is bringing his spare)

Are they for sale?

Cool. I haven't found a better eyepiece for low power viewing than the Panoptic 24mm. Certainly pinpoint edge to edge with the BT-100's.

No , they are for my own binocular projects ( 14" specifically ) . I may own a pair of Bt-100 or BT-120 some time.

[David]

I hope to be there with a another as my driver, the new site sounds
interesting looking forward to seeing it.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

Thankyou again, see you saturday night

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Geoffro, et al,

Are you intending to go anyway, even if the weather is ill ?

Is there a commitment since we have placed the caretaker on alert ?

Will they be expecting some kind of "Minimum payment" on nights we turn up?

What about nights we don't?

What about nights we turn up and decide it is not worth staying ?

Just wondering. As the forecast is not encouraging.

cheers Pal

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

Maybe if the wheels fall off we should all plan on meeting a a pub to discuss what we were missing, of course over a few associated Ales

I will take a final look at this website @ 16:30 hrs next saturday to see what the plans are then depending either way will proceed or not

[sasup (Stacey)]

I still plan on comming. I want to try out the new scope. Is it at the pony club or air field?

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

I think the Airfield is the way to go this weekend, at least that is what i have been led to believe.

My alternative would only come into play if the clouds open and deliver us massive precipaitation and standing out in the fields is intolerable

[sasup (Stacey)]

great thanks

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

I will still be going up to check out the lights etc. even if the sky is less than good.
I want to meet the Caretaker and talk about a few of the things that have been brought to my atention here on this thread.

I dont have all the answers, but I still want to see if its better than the PC with regard to the local annoying lights we have to put up with at the PC.
If its not, then we will go back to the PC on following visits.

May I suggest that the interested people come along anyway, even if the weather isnt in out favour, to check it out and discuss what we should do.

see you all there.

geoffro.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by Inmykombie

I will still be going up to check out the lights etc. even if the sky is less than good.
I want to meet the Caretaker and talk about a few of the things that have been brought to my atention here on this thread.
I dont have all the answers, but I still want to see if its better than the PC with regard to the local annoying lights we have to put up with at the PC.
If its not, then we will go back to the PC on following visits.
May I suggest that the interested people come along anyway, even if the weather isnt in out favour, to check it out and discuss what we should do.
see you all there.
geoffro.

"Cool Bananas" Geoff !
See you 6:30 at the hanger in the sky (so to speak)

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by Allan_L

"Cool Bananas" Geoff !
See you 6:30 at the hanger in the sky (so to speak)

Okli Dokli Alan...

[sally1jack (Phil)]

I would have come up tonight for a chin wag, but i'm in bed with the dreaded lurgie, have a good night
Phil

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Just o comfirm, I am still going up tonight to meet the caretaker and look at the lights and observing areas etc.

I suggest that anyone who is seriously wanting a change from the Pony Club street light , come along for a look and discussion.

I have had a message bank message from GMB filter that he will be going as well.

If there is a general opinion that its good, we will meet there again,
If it is less than favourable, we can go back to the PC.

See you there.
I'll be there about 5-6 ish.

Please come along for a look.

Geoffro.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by Inmykombie

I'll be there about 5-6 ish.

Please come along for a look.

Geoffro.

But Geoff,

Sunset isn't until 7:50.
Thats a long wait just to see a street light, isn't it?
(Presumably street lights are not turned on until after sunset)
And then are you staying until Dark?
Astronomical Twilight is not until 9:20 according to my Vela Clock.
Thats four hours before you can even begin to get an idea if it is going to be any good for our purposes!
I hate to sound negative on this, but with little chance of observing tonight, that sounds like a long time to watch the clouds!

And pay $5 a head to do it!

Now if there is beer involved, then thats another matter !

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

I am not saying you have to get there at 6 ish.

Thats just the time I plan on trying to get there and meeting the caretaker. Out of courtesy I told him I would get there and see him around this time.

I personally think it would be good to have a look around in the light instead of stumbling around an unfamiliar place in the dark for the first time.

Like I said, if anyone is serious about wanting a change.... come along.

I have put a lot into this first night, just because the weather has let us down doesnt mean we cant have a social night and check it out.

Who's bringin' the beers ?

[gmbfilter (Geoff)]

Cooler full of cold bourbon & coke and I won't care
Might be a bit cloudy to see sunset anyway
See you at 6ish

[gb_astro]

I am coming but not till about 7pm.
I doubt we will get any observing done but with this cloud cover it should get dark pretty quickly, at least enough to sus the local lighting situation.

Greg.

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Thx to Greg, Geoff and Alan who made the effort to come along and check out the site with me.
I was a little dissapointed in the roll up actually.

Appologies received from Rick and Arthur who couldnt make it.


My feelings are that the PC is still better for a number of reasons discussed amongst us on-site.

Even though the good horizon has a lot to offer, the local street lighting isnt favourable at all. To get away from lights, we would have to venture a long way from the Clubhouse down the Airfield, which would be too far from the ammenities and the power.

There is also the issue of security lighting on the main building.
They presently appear to be wired to a non-working day-night sensor that would normally bring them on after dark automatically.
While the security lights arent working at the moment, when they are repaired it looks like they cant be turned off easily via the clubhouse building.

A lot of orange glow from sodium lights was also noted from the nearby intersection at Central Mangrove.

Another disadvantage was that there was a local "spotlight Shooter" nearby shining lights onto trees and we could hear the sound of firearms being used nearby. Even though this may not be happening all the time, this doesnt really appeal to me either.

At least we gave it a go, and saw first hand what it would be really like.
I am happy to keep the PC as our observing site unless anyone else has any further input.



Geoffro

[jakob]

Thanks for that.

I would have come if it wasn't for the protective cover above!
A bit far to travel for me and I trust your opinions.

See you next month, J.