Pony Club 3rd Aug

[astropolak (Joe)]

I must say I am little pissed off.
The best night I have seen in months and no one to go with....
I confess that my motivation to go is not the cake, booze or socialising, I just want to look at the sky.
Yes, I do like the company and love to have a chat but primarily we are there to gaze at the stars..., or are we ? Why would anyone go to PC if one glance outside will tell you the weather is going to be crap?

I think some of us are trying to make the weather comply rather than the other way around, how about going to PC when its clear, this would mean going at times on Friday or Sunday or even during a week !

[Irish stargazer (John)]

I went to Katoomba last night as there were no keyholders going to the PC. Good venue-worth a visit.
Once a month is good enough for most folks and people have other engagements and family events at the weekends (big crowd at the PC last weekend). There is usually a gathering somewhere on clear weekend nights between the PC, Katoomba or Crago if you check the forums.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

My belated apologies, am on the Gold Coast at a cardiac conference

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by astropolak

I must say I am little pissed off.
The best night I have seen in months and no one to go with....
I confess that my motivation to go is not the cake, booze or socialising, I just want to look at the sky.
Yes, I do like the company and love to have a chat but primarily we are there to gaze at the stars..., or are we ? Why would anyone go to PC if one glance outside will tell you the weather is going to be crap?

I think some of us are trying to make the weather comply rather than the other way around, how about going to PC when its clear, this would mean going at times on Friday or Sunday or even during a week !

Last week was better Joe, everyone was there.

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

This may be speaking out of turn but I think I can say with a fair degree of certainty that like all the guys that go to the PC, i have a great interest in astronomy ( otherwise I have wasted about $8000 on equipment). (Astronomy is not my sole interest)

I have met some very awesome,amazing, knowledgable and friendly folk at the nights out. Unfortunately we only meet up once a month and it becomes catch up time which involves socialising, talking, eating, having a drink, learning, observing and a multitude of other verbs. This is why I appreciate my nights at the PC.

If I were to dismiss the need for all those things and just concentrate on observing quietly i might as well stay at home and set up in my drive way.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by astropolak

I must say I am little pissed off.
The best night I have seen in months and no one to go with....
I confess that my motivation to go is not the cake, booze or socialising, I just want to look at the sky.
Yes, I do like the company and love to have a chat but primarily we are there to gaze at the stars..., or are we ? Why would anyone go to PC if one glance outside will tell you the weather is going to be crap?

I think some of us are trying to make the weather comply rather than the other way around, how about going to PC when its clear, this would mean going at times on Friday or Sunday or even during a week !

Hi Joe,
That sounds great, but...
If you check this forum, you will see that I have often called for a Friday, or a weeknight, because it was good conditions, and the forcast for the designated night was not as promising.
Except for a very small percentage, these calls have met with no support. (and I end up going it alone). And I can understand why, not enough notice for most people.
So while I agree with your principle, it is not going to be a new way of working.
People have other commitments that are already in place, and a movable PC night out of the social calendar does not work for most.

As to the social side of things, well I must admit I do enjoy the social intercaourse of my astronomically inclined buddies - very much.
Especially if the sky is not co-operating, or I am after a little inspiration.
Not to mention the wealth of knowledge and experience that is on offer for free, for tihose who care to take the time to listen. I cannot think of a time when I have not learnt something new.

And talking of "p1ssed off".
Why is it these "p1ssed off" posts always seem to happen when a couple of us are on holidays. I am in Victoria at the moment. Ric is in Tamworth. Plenty of notice was given.
Plenty of other key holders are out there.
But if they went last week, maybe they can't go again so soon.

So if you are just frustrated, OK I can associate with that, but if you are casting criticism, I don't think that is fair.

[astropolak (Joe)]

Hmmmm, that has produced some responses...
None of my post was personal, yes I am venting my frustration and yes I am pissed off.

Alan, I see your posts about PC, you are certainly putting your hand up, some times there simply isn't the clear sky others I can not make it.
As I've said I enjoy the company but I will not spend $25.00 in petrol and 2 hours driving just to confirm the night is not clear on the off chance things will improve...
John, Katoomba is too far for me, drive is too difficult coming back at 4am.
Arthur, I too have spent a lot of money on the equipment and hate it going to waste.
Andrew, yes it would have been nice to see you and have a chat but we can have chat on this forum and I can't see your face at night anyway...
I can not understand why we gather at PC at nights that are a total waste of time - not to mention the site is cr*p anyway.

And to all of you now, you are obviously taking some pointers from our awful Prime Minister - being politically correct and afraid of saying anything that can God forbid offend anyone..., he will be gone soon and all I ask to give me a chance (or was it not give the weather any chances) so I can stay. --

[mental4astro (Alexander)]

For what it's worth, staying overnight at Katoomba Airfield is not a problem. I've done it when it got too late to be safely driving, and many other folks do too.

The only other solution to this is to have a backup site in a public area. Somewhere safe when in numbers for the instance mentioned by Joe, or even if the PC becomes unavailable for astro use, & this has occasionally happened. Again with Katoomba, there are two other sites we have up our sleeve in those instances when the Airfield isn't available. It works too. Not a bad idea to have a standby site. Up around Mangrove Mt there has to be somewhere, I'm sure of it.

[Fizics (John)]

Regarding access to the site can more keys be cut?

Speaking of piss and crap is there now access to the toilets?

Anyone got a scope that can see through cloud?

Hey what an outcome if we get yes to all three questions!

Keep looking up