Has anybody got a reasonable weather prediction for Saturday night as far as clouds go???
I think that "weather prediction" is an oximoron.
We just turn up Arthur and it will be a good night (no oxymorons in our bunch).
7timer is showing some cloud for Sat. but it was totally wrong last time.
Other sites are showing no cloud so 'go figure'??????
That's ok, Allan, you can grind coffee with Andrew and myself.
What time is the first key holder due to unlock the gates? Any guesstimates?
EDIT: Here is a Mangrove Mountain update to 7-timer, although this one is still purported to be in the alpha-testing stage. Called Astro_panel Extend, it has a 7-day lead on the forecast, instead of just 3.
I am coming for sure, the Mary Rose has assumed the "transportation position", hope to get there by about 8pm for set up. Looking forward to seeing yo'all tonight!
I tied up with a hazard reduction at Yarramalong and might not get there at all
I might just be a bit late
Looks like a good night
I hope everyone has a great night
I tied up with a hazard reduction at Yarramalong and might not get there at all
I might just be a bit late
Looks like a good night
I hope everyone has a great night
Hope we see you a bit later on then, Geoff. If not, good luck, and hope to see you next time.
Didn't make it last night as I was saving my energy to get up about 2:30am to set up for my first go at imaging Saturn. Didn't quite go to plan as after my first capturing run I was having some problems with the computer or capturing software.
I got on to read how it went last night for all but there's no reports yet. It must have been a great night - 12:05pm and everyone's still sleeping in. The sky sure did look great at 2:30am and not much dew either.
Tony
It was an ok night Tony with a good roll-up but the seeing was pretty soft all night.
I think the lack of reports sort of sums it up: unexciting.
Some good views through Rod's 20. (NGC1365 now my second favourite galaxy.)
What was a surprise was how cool it got.
We started off in tee shirts and ended up in jumpers/coats.
Half of us stayed late enough to see Saturn.
The rings have opened up nicely since last year but again it was a pretty soft view.
Noticeable absent was Stacy who was supposed to pick up his Pan24 and his freezer suit.
Well, Im up... now
It was a good night, big turnout.. I think we may have had 12 or 13 scopes all pointed skyward.
The viewing was, well.. viewing was a little ordinary. But I will be the last one to make any huge complaint about ANY clear skies. I enjoyed from midnight onwards, got some nice views of Eta Carina,tarantula, The sombrero Galaxy, the Eskimo Nebula and many more.
Fingers crossed for more clear skies for the future... make that more MORE clear skies.
I would concur that the seeing was pretty poor for much of the night, but it did steady up at times, and was noticeably better after midnight. The sky was clear, I thought the transparency was pretty good.
I had a good time observing next to Greg (SDM alley), it was interesting to compare targets between the two scopes, and see what detail could be squeezed out of some objects.
With the poor seeing, I spent some time with galaxies, and saw lots of them. I particularly enjoyed the views of NGC 1097 and 1097A, the Spindle Galaxy, a very low M104, a very low NGC 5128, NGC 1365, M77,etc
The Eskimo PNe showed some nice colour and detail later in the evening.
Although it was not the conditions for it, I found myself enjoying some double stars. Waasat in Gemini was my favourite for the evening, a very pretty and tight double, the primary looked white and the secondary orange, perhaps about 2 arc seconds separation at a guess. I will try to have another look when conditions are better to verify.
It is always pleasant to stroll the field, and enjoy some bonhomie. Was especially good to have peek through Geoff "InmyKombie's" Quadroscope (it has the LX200 SCT with Meade finder plus 60mm refractor piggybacked with its own finder). We could not split Waasat in the Quadroscope despite valiant efforts.
I also enjoyed catching up with Rickapoodie, love that scope, mate, it is slowly developing all of those smart refinements we expect from a refined gentleman such as yourself! Thanks for the nice views, and also for being my helper on moving the Mary Rose in and out of the boot.
Allan was very generous with lamingtons - thanks mate!
Was good to catch up with the Hepworth Man, Geoff the owl, mate enjoyed the chat and the company. Also good to chat to other regulars - one and all.
We missed some familiar faces, we therefore expect statutory declarations next month with supporting documents to provide proof of genuine extentuating circumstances having prevented attendances. (joke)
I was quite tired from a full week, so started packing up at about 1am. Was in bed snuggly by 2am.
Thoroughly enjoyed the clear sky and the great company again.
As all have said, the seeing left a lot to be desired, however just to have such clear sky was definitely worth it.
Great to experience the differing views through so many scopes (thanks all)and I think the highlights for me were all the objects with nebulosity together with some doubles and a few galaxies.
Thanks to everyone who offered the guiness, the beer, the party pies the snag rolls,and the lamo's which keeps everyone going. (they know who they are).
Hey Rod, what's this 'refined gentlemen' wrap? I'm sure you must have got me mixed up with someone else. Thanks for your kind thoughts though mate, I didn't know I had changed my ways that much???.
Bring on February/March New moon.
Good to hear you guys had a good night!
I had every intention of making the trip but, didn't arrive home till 10, the scopes in bits and with the stars having a fair twinkle about them....I think I crashed 10 minutes later
Hey Rod, what's this 'refined gentlemen' wrap? I'm sure you must have got me mixed up with someone else. Thanks for your kind thoughts though mate, I didn't know I had changed my ways that much???.
Bring on February/March New moon.
Rick, you are always so kind and good natured, never a harsh word about anyone, always willing to share. I reckon you are the quintessential refined gentleman. No need for fob watches.
Hey Deeno, with the little one, any kip you can get is necessary!
Hope the weather makes it worth it!
. 
