Mangrove Mountain Pony Club This weekend?

[Deeno]

Have a good night. Wish it was Saturday night.....

[iceman (Mike)]

Was a lovely night last night. About 10 people showed up I guess.

Weather was beautiful, a bit blowy at times and some very light high streaks of cloud at one point, but it cleared away nicely.

My first deep space imaging since IISAC2008 so I was very out of practise. Took me ages to drift align, and of course I forgot the US->AU power adapter to power my 350D. Lucky David had a battery charger there so I just used batteries.

I imaged the Rosette but gee it's faint with an unmodded camera. And the warm night was a killer for noise. Won't be able to process it for a while but I don't know how it'll come out.

Anyway was great company and great to be amongst it again.

[gb_astro]

Yes, great company as usual.
Unfortunately for most of the night it was one of those wide field, low magnification type skies.
Still good.
Interesting to try the Friday night.
Two days to get the body clock back on track.

gb.

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Yes, thanks to everyone for the company and for letting me look through so many scopes and bino contraptions. It was a nice change to leave my scope at home, and wander the field.

I particularly enjoyed the views in gb's binos, given the seeing was really only 2/5 at best nothing at high power was really worth looking at in the larger scopes.

It will be great to see the new SDM next month, Greg. I hope you master the setting up operation in the meantime. Happy to assist next time as much as I can.

[Tallstock (Peter)]

Thank you everybody for the warm welcome.
I now feel more confident about tackling my "sticky" dob mount problem.
Collimation is also on my "to do" list.
I really appreciated the encouragement.
Peter

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

good to see everyone last nite

not a top viewing nite - but at least no clouds

could not believe how bad the sky glow from Sydney was last nite

geoff

[bones]

Top night, enjoyed the best views I've had for quite some time. After packing up at 1am ... thanks Geoff for the view of Comet Lulin Geoff. This was my first view of it. Rick thanks for the view and info. I always get something fresh from you. Till next time the Stargate Cluster and many many more await you...

[Rick Petrie]

Always enjoy the company and even though skies weren't top class there was still plenty of objects that were OK.
Welcome to Peter and I enjoyed your enthusiasm. Sounds like a few mods we'll see next time on the SW? I also don't think it will be long before Phil invests in a tube of some description. Hope everyone has given you food for thought.
Thanks for all the views through everyone's scopes-pies,coffee and all the goodies.
See Yawl next PC.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

wish i could have made it, worked 12 hr night shift wed, thu and fri, maybe next time. Te skies looked good from the windows

[RB (Andrew)]

Sorry I missed it guys, sounds like you all had a good night.

Hopefully I'll catch up with you next time.

[Octane (Humayun)]

Guys,

I'm so glad to hear you had a good night. About darn time we got one!

Look forward to catching up at the next meet.

Regards,
Humayun

[Tallstock (Peter)]

"Sticky" SWFLEX8 dob az mount.
Success!
Went to Bunnings at Tuggerah and found a 305mm "lazy susan" for $35. Sold under the brand name of "Prestige". Installed (no mods needed) swivel assembly today and can't believe how smooth the action is.
Website http://www.itwproline.com.au/HSSwive...s/default.aspx for all those other dob users having trouble with "stiction" --- sounds so much better than "sticky" or jerky.
Special thanks to Rick for his time and suggestions and all the others who helped me solve this problem.
Peter