Central Coast observing session THIS weekend - Page 2

RB (Andrew) · #21 30-12-2007, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David

I will be bringing my dad & he knows the way as my sister used to go to pony club so I will see you all there.

Great news David, looking forward to catching up with you again.

gmbfilter (Geoff) · #22 30-12-2007, 07:01 PM

Yippee !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. up up and away I'm off ?

Rodstar (Rod) · #23 31-12-2007, 08:06 AM

Looks like I am the first up to give a report on the night's proceedings.

What an odd night, weather-wise. Crystal clear viewing until about 10.15pm, then the sky turned to cloud soup. Sucker holes teased from then on, only lasting in one place for 30 seconds or so. I then packed up at about midnight, only to find at about 12.30 after the pack-up was complete that the sky was clearing again. Don't you hate that?

Anyway, I had enough time at the EP to enjoy some special views, and share same with a few of the of the lads.

The stand out objects for me, with the Ethos, were the LMC, NGC 253 and NGC 1365.

The LMC was crawling with nebulosity and clusters. Not in a dull or faint way, but an "in your face screaming" sort of way, with incredible detail. I have never felt so close to that vast object.

NGC 253 spread beyond the limits of the Ethos FOV, and was magnified just perfectly such that exquisite detail was apparent, far beyond the usual "mottling" that one might normally observe. For the first time ever I could sense the spiral shape and see the object (without colour) as it looks in many photos.

NGC 1365 was bright and clear as the object one sees imaged. One thing that several people (such as RB) picked up was that the spiral arms showed soft edges, rather than just faint lines. Again, it was reminiscent of many photos I have seen of this object, where one sees the arms as not having hard edges, but simply a trail of knotted stars.

I also enjoyed a range of other objects, such as 47 Tuc, M42, NGC1261, NGC 1535, Mars, and the Adhara double in Canis Major.

After I had packed up, it was nice to catch some views of Saturn and Luna through Deeno's scope. Nice views were enjoyed through the 6mm Radian.

As always, it was great to catch up with everyone. It was nice to hear the familiar sound of Geoff's LX200 (that sound has so many happy memories..), enjoy Mike's Thai chilli chips and choc chip cookies, and sit down wind from RB's Romeo and Juliet cigar. Mmmmmmmmm!!! Good to see David again, and his dad (Laurie?) and to share the company of everyone, including Rick, who I can't remember seeing before?? Welcome Rick!

Thanks for the company, guys! Until next time....

iceman (Mike) · #24 31-12-2007, 08:53 AM

ah well, last night was fun but frustrating.. It looked like it was going to be such a nice clear night, and started off great!

I got some widefield tuttle/holmes, then when I wanted to image them both through the ED80, the clouds came

ah well, there's always this weekend.

Look forward to catching up with friends again, and it was a fun night for an impromtu session.

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #25 31-12-2007, 10:21 AM

The company was great as usual.
It was a shame to have the clouds persist as they did.

However, those who stayed, were treated to a few bright meteors and a really sharp view of Saturn through Deeno's Dob at about 1-2 am.

I will make the effort again next weekend.

Cheers

Geoff

RB (Andrew) · #26 31-12-2007, 10:44 AM

Yes very frustrating to start the evening off clear and then to see the clouds roll in only to clear again when the moon decided to wake up.

I found out that I need a bigger eye ball to take in the whole FOV through Rod's Ethos, WoW what an eyepiece !!!

So good to see everyone again, thanks for the company guys.
It was really nice to meet Laurie (David's dad) and Rick too.

Happy New Year to everyone !

RB (Andrew) · #27 31-12-2007, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodstar

....and sit down wind from RB's Romeo and Juliet cigar. Mmmmmmmmm!!! ....

We're a very cultured group of observers at the pony club Rod.
A little Shakespeare while observing is quite edifying to our Psyche.

Rodstar (Rod) · #28 31-12-2007, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RB

We're a very cultured group of observers at the pony club Rod.
A little Shakespeare while observing is quite edifying to our Psyche.

So true, Andrew.

Was is Shakespeare who said through one of his characters, "All the world's a stage"? As one draws deeply on a Cuban cigar and looks out at the night sky, one is perhaps led to consider the entire heavens a stage. On most nights, I would consider a standing ovation appropriate.

RB (Andrew) · #29 31-12-2007, 10:01 PM

Indeed it was Rod, from Shakespeare's - "As you like it".

And you're right, a standing ovation is in order as one takes in the grandeur of the night sky.

Rick Petrie · #30 01-01-2008, 10:35 AM

On the subject of Shakespeare, I think the last Sunday viewing had more resemblance to "Twelfth Night" as it was during the Christmas season and the coming and going of the clouds was a bit of a comedy.
Other than this digress, it was a good night after all and viewing at times was excellent. Thanks to Deeno and Geoff and Rod for the looks through your scopes. Nice to eventually meet you Mike also.
Thank you very much Rod for allowing me the experience of the "ethos" through my Dob. It certainly made the cosmos literally jump out at you and knock you over. It made my Nagler 9 look quite average. Thanks again I was a bit nervous handling it, I might add.
Can't make this Sat now but looking forward to next one on the hill.
Cheers happy New Year. Rick.