Observing session Aratula SE QLD - Page 2

Sausageman (Mike Boggan) · #21 02-04-2007, 08:12 AM

I'm looking forward to a couple of peaceful nights under the stars.

Here are directions for anyone who wishes to attend.

Along the highway, about five Km's south west of Aratula (heading for Cunningham's Gap) is an overtaking lane, there is a turn off on the left with signs for Spicer's Gap. Take this road and drive about 1 Km, on the left is a cattle dip called "Clumber Dip", slow down here as the turn off to the observatory is about 100 metres further on, on the right hand side of the road. There is a break in the double white lines at the entrance to the property. The gate is set back and not visible from the road.

Mike.

Sausageman (Mike Boggan) · #22 03-04-2007, 06:05 PM

UPDATE FOR ARATULA OBSERVING SESSION

The weather forecast is not looking good for Friday and Saturday.
So for any of you thinking of attending, I will post a weather update on Thursday afternoon.
If it is raining I will cancel the event. The ground is clay and it will turn to mush, making it impossible to set up stable mounts.
It will also make camping a very messy affair.

Mike

Sausageman (Mike Boggan) · #23 05-04-2007, 07:27 PM

Aratula observing session will go ahead as planned

Even though the weather forecast is against us, we will go ahead with the observing session.

I will be opening the gates at the Aratula observatory about 2 pm Friday.

Mike.

Sausageman (Mike Boggan) · #24 07-04-2007, 05:16 PM

I sincerely hope no-one turns up for tonight's observing session, as I came home this afternoon with a bad ear infection.
Last night's storm did not eventuate although it was cloudy until about 8:30, when everything cleared and left us with a beautiful sky until Sunrise.
The Magellanic clouds were easily seen with the naked eye.
The Moon was not a problem either when viewing to the South, and was a great target after collimation.
Jupiter came up fine also with 4 moons visible just before Sunrise, but the seeing was pretty poor for photography, so I didn't bother.
This was meant to be my first attempt, but it didn't happen, ahh well, there is always a next time.

Mike.