Pony Club - August 2009

[Redshift (Phil)]

Thanks Geoff
I will be there if I can.
I bought Bintel 150mm reflector type. I guess it's OK for a beginner.

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Originally Posted by GTB_an_Owl

i will probably be there about then Rod - yes

geoff

Cheers, Geoff!

[RB (Andrew)]

Just a reminder everyone, you can check out the local weather conditions at the Pony Club on my weather station site.

I've also got the sky-cam updating every 15 min so you can see what's happening with the sky up here.

http://www.mangroveweather.com/

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

you just keep that "Still" of the nice blue sky handy RB


geoff

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

start packing the cars folks

conditions are looking good for to-nite

just a word of warning - the boys in blue have been very active of late up the mountain - drive carefully and don't be in a hurry to get there

geoff

[RB (Andrew)]

Yep conditions are clearing nicely as Geoff said and he's right about the patrols up here too so, as always, drive safely everyone.

[airspaceman (Andrew)]

Packing the car. And no donations to the government in fines.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Nearly done packing.

See you there around 5:30

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

not a bad turn out considering

cloud cleared around 9pm and was not too bad all nite . We locked the gate about 4-50 am

goodnite all

geoff

[Rodstar (Rod)]

Thanks all for the good company, and for being so welcoming to Roger, who had actually never looked through a telescope for him. I think he found it quite eye opening.

Always great to see some new faces, so welcome to those who made the treck for the first time.

Now for the part I like least of all...unpacking the trailer....

Although the cloud cover was annoying early on, and seeing was only average, I saw some nice targets, my favourite for the evening was the Grus Quartet, inspired by Stongmanmike's recent image. I did not see quite so many galaxies as in his image though...the main four galaxies were nice and bright, and about half a dozen others could be detected on the edge of visibility in the environs.

Hope to see you all next month.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

Yes - the unpacking is a pain Rod - to be sure

please relay my apologies to the "Mary Rose" - remiss of me not to enjoy her fabulous views on the nite.

glad Roger had a great nite - perhaps another convert then ?

hope we see you again Roger

with all my little argo troubles - never got to look through Andrew or Phil's new scopes either - oh well, maybe next month

geoff

[bones]

Last night was the best viewing I've had in a long long time . As Mr owl said earlier, the clouds cleared about 9pm and from then on the conditions got better and better. There was still not a hint of dew when I left after 1am. The views of Jupiter were showing some detail, the GRS was on around 10pm. I know I missed the shadow transit early am. I saw some things for the first time like the Saturn nebula (thanks Rod), the cigar galaxy, the little double, and NGC355? (thanks Rick.) There's always something new up there we don't know about. 47 Tuc was pretty crisp as well.

Thanks to all who made it last night. The company as always was great. It was noted that SDM city wasn't as big as last time. .Your absence was noted. It was interesting no one set up in the paddock on the southern side of the entry gate. Was it because of what happened last time? . Deeno was prepared with a counter attack. .
Rick glad you made it out to celebrate your birthday.
Rod it was good to see you again after what appeared to have been a long absence from the PC.
RB, thanks for the good advice on imaging and options. I take it all into consideration. .
Mr Owl, hope you get that Dob back in order soon. . Like I said last night, could be time you got an SCT .
Phil, good to see you at the PC for the first time. It'll be good to see you up there again.
Here's hoping next month is a good one too so you can get ready and prepare for Lostock.
B4 I go - Mr Owl - you locked the gate at 4:50am. Do you mean you could wait for the brightest star to come up above the horizon?.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by bones

B4 I go - Mr Owl - you locked the gate at 4:50am. Do you mean you could wait for the brightest star to come up above the horizon?.

no staying power you young blokes
even Deeno wilted and couldn't wait for sunrise (perhaps he left his sunglasses at home)

AND WE HAD TO EAT all THE PIES AND SAUSAGE ROLLS LEFT IN THE PIE OVEN TOO!

i don't know !

geoff

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

I a sorry I missed a good night there people.
Sorry to hear your scope is playing up again Mr Owl.

Like aBones said....It may be time get an SCT instead....and jump the fence from Dob Alley

I did manage to sneak my little refractor out for a quick squiz at Jupiter after my guests went home.
I saw loads of detail and enjoyed what little time I did have at the eyepiece.

See you next Month....

Geoffro.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Agreed! Great Night. After it looked like being a no show at the start.
Thanks to everyone again.

Funny. It took me nearly an hour to get my 3 star alignment. Every star I decided to use for alignment, would mysteriously disappear just as I got the scope pointing that way!
Oh well, as I said at the time, it was good practice and much needed after the drought.
But it proved to be well worth the effort in the end.
Every object I selected, presented absolutely in the centre of the field of view. (Hmmm! must have been the Bunnings bulls eye level I used instead of the built in level when setting up.)

Best night ever (for me). I even caught a view of Andromeda Galaxy on my own scope.(During the time when clubhouse was in lights out mode.)
That reminds me - Sorry you were unable to make it Geoffro. we missed you!

And no GB_Astro! Dam Shame! As Jupiter shadow transit was so clear, no comparison to last week's effort. [Hope you caught it somewhere Greg].

And thanks Rod, for the view of Helix, nice to finally meet you and Mary Rose . Who would ever think you could have so much fun up a twenty foot ladder


Late in the evening (evening? - around 3am), I was very pleased to get a fantastic view of the Orion Nebula. Wow what a difference good equipment makes.

Finally crept into bed, tired but happy, at 5:00. Unpacking left for next day.

See you next time.

[Redshift (Phil)]

Thanks for the warm welcome guys. I'll be back for sure. And thanks for the advice on setting up the EQ5.
I think I'm getting a fever - after seeing those big scopes!

[gb_astro]

Glad you guys had a good night.

Wanted to go but was sure the night would be clouded out.
Next time I will put more faith in Geoff's forecast than Weather Underground's!

Greg.