Was wondering how you were doing and your trip out west.
No : ( ...not yet. tonight is the best chance since you left. But still no luck,
too much crud and cloud about. Was setup in the yard with the 20x80's
for awhile.
Caught it this afternoon .. had given up pretty much then caught a glimpse
of venus at about 8 .. so went up to the local lookout.. venus was lost in cloud by then .. but by chance there was a small perfectly clear break in the western sky and there it was .. I guess the cloud helped darken the
sunset a little as it was incredibly bright.. stunning is the best I can descibe it.. one of those things you don't forget !!!.
hopefully tommorow .. I managed to get the scope out as well tonight ,a little cloud around but very clear
Saw the comet last night through thin cloud with 7x50s at about 7:40pm. Saw it again after 8pm with 20x80s through a hole in the cloud. The tail was very wide at the comet. Will try this am, it will be 11d to the right of the Sun at about 6:05am.
The forecast for Fri night looks OK.
Come at about sunset if you want to see the comet. Saw it again last night.
Looked at galaxies in Virgo this am till it clouded over just after 3am.
Well you guy's have been luckier than me, still to catch even a glimpse of the
comet. Nice and clear last night but still too cloudy in the west for me. Still
it gave me my first chance of trying out my new 20x80's.
Glen, Do you know if Andrew is still coming down on Saturday? if he is, I
might come over on Saturday instead of Friday.
Unfortunately due to work commitments I can't make it down on Friday, but my plan is still for Saturday. I will be monitoring the weather closely and if clear I will be there - if that is still OK Glen.
If the weather down your way is dicey then I might head north to Ron's (just as a backup because I am starved of dark skies - last outing in September).
Looking forward to it and most likely see you guys on Saturday. Are Graham and Alex a chance for Saturday?
Looking forward to catching with you too. I've been observing in spits
and spats, as there been abit going on here over the last few months.
I haven't managed to hit the yard as much as I would like too. Still I
had a ball last night just using the 20x80's (man I need a bino stand)
LMC and SMC looked awesome, could of sat on them for quite a while.
saturday is fine for me .. clear tonight again by the looks..picked up a 7mm nagler ( smooth barrel t1 ) yesterday and looking forward to a dark sky try of it .
Looks like Saturday night suits everyone and the forecast is sunny 18-30.
It was perfect here last night, had a look at the comet with 7x50s, 20x80s and the 10". We have a very good SW horizon.
Cant be sure I've seen it yet Glen, seems to be forever murky low in the
SW with intermittent clouds, although last night I'm pretty sure I nab it
teasing out between clouds for a few minites, too much muck to see any
tail.
Andrew, not sure what Glen's place is like mozzie-wise, haven't been there
yet. So it might be a good idea to bring some mozzie repellent with you.
Looking forward to this observing session. I will bring the camera for some shots of the comet. It was fantastic here last night, and I think it will get better before it dims ..... here's hoping anyway.
All I have to do is workout what I need to pack - I used to have a list of essentials but who knows where that is now. Don't know what time you are going to pack it in, but I can tell you - if it is clear I will be awake and observing.
Well I finally managed to nab comet Mcnaught in it's full splender. Even
managed a few shots of it. Then the clouds on the horizon got to it
again. Looks like it's going to be a very nice night out this way tonight.
except for a lil bit of cloud on the SW horizon it's looking spectacular
The shot below is a cropped version of the best capture
So all cool for tonight, there is a bit of patchy cloud about. But I have a
feeling it's going to do what it did yesterday.
Otherwise we'll see you 7pm or there abouts, would like to try and get
another shot of comet McNaught. Sounds like you have a better SW
view than mine is.
A big thank you for hosting this months group. It was great to catch up
with you and Graham. And good to see Andrew and his son Steven there
too. Beautiful clear conditions and wasn't that comet unreal, it had us all
transfixed while it was above the horizon. After which it was a feast of
nebula and planetary nebula. Looking forward to the next get together
to be held at Coombell
For those reading this thread. The group photo icludes from left to right
Glen (aka, glenc), Graham (aka, nightstalker), Jake (Rob's son), Rob (aka, CoombellKid), Andrew (aka, astro_south) and Andrews son Steven.
Thanks for hosting the night Glen - really enjoyed it and the view of the comet will live with me forever. Nice to share it with pleasent and knowledgeable company. Nice to catch up with you again Rob, and nice to meet you Graham.
yeah thanks glen it was a memorable evening .. on your birthday and all
Eta Carinae is well visible from home after all andrew had a look about
2 am when i got home the other night, I must stay up late more often
I hadn't realised how much light pollution the odd yard light throws up.
