"Pony Club" - July - Page 3

Shano592 (Shane) · #41 30-07-2011, 12:35 PM

I'll be aiming to leave at about 2:30, so should get the gate open around 3:30. if the day stays as good as it is, then there should be a good hour or so of solar observing.

Rodstar (Rod) · #42 31-07-2011, 09:24 AM

It appears that I am the first to emerge.....

Well, it was one of those nights where the seeing was pretty average and transparency was pretty average too; but in amongst the soup a few nice targets emerged. My favourite targets last night were M20, the Grus Quartet, 47 Tuc, NGC 6744, the Pavo Glob, Albireo, and NGC 5128. Unfortunately the seeing just did not hold up the planetaries very well, although we had OK views of M27, M57 and the Saturn PNe.

I had the pleasure of bringing along John, who has never looked through anything larger than a 2 inch crap-o-scope. I am pleased to report that he was VERY amazed. I think he was perhaps most amazed by Saturn, and also 47 Tuc. It also turns out that he remembers Deeno from the days when Deeno used to take lots of photos of motorcyclists on the old Pacific Highway - it is a small world indeed.

Despite some of the regulars being either entirely absent, or up at Bretti, we had a good roll up of about 15 bodies. It was nice to meet Erick and his flashing telescope! Also, a family came with a little boy who was very enthusiastic about how he could "actually see space!". Thanks to everyone who came over to enjoy some photons through the Mary Rose - I always enjoy the pleasure others have when seeing things a little brighter.

As the conditions were fairly average, I packed up about midnight, satisfied with having spend some pleasant time enjoying our Noble Hobby.

Until next time!

sasup (Stacey) · #43 31-07-2011, 11:42 AM

glad to hear you guys at lest got out there. I woke up about 4am and was greeted to nice views of Orion, an old friend and a few others before dawn. next time Ill make it

erick (Eric) · #44 31-07-2011, 01:29 PM

Thanks all for making me feel welcome to the observing site and the group. I was a bit disheartened by the Sydney light bouncing off the early cloud, but when the night settled down, the low cloud vanished and some folks in Sydney turned off the lights, It was much better. My SQM reading rose to 21.1 around 11:30 when I had to pack up.

The dew-free night was greatly appreciated as well. I cannot get to unpack the car until late today, so am pleased everything is dry.

The flashing light isn't normal - but my choice of observing site put me close to the car access driveway so I thought I've announce my presence assertively

Deeno · #45 31-07-2011, 10:00 PM

A nice change getting up this morning and not having to dry everything out.
Good to meet Eric, nice to put a face to such a regular poster on IceInSpace and thanks for the help with my Argo dilemma.
The Mary Rose always makes a majestic sight on the field, thanks for the views Rod, how 'bout that comet.

Spent most of the night touring Ophiuchus, plenty of globular clusters to be found here including M1o, M9, M12, M14, M19, M62, M107 and a few interesting planetaries some of which were a little challenging to hunt down.

Conditions weren't the best but, did manage some acceptable views with the 7mm Nagler. With the humidity hovering around 75% all night, dew never became an issue thankfully. Can't have it all, I 'spose.

Great to see so many scopes in the field even with several regulars gone AWL for the weekend.

Gates were locked at 2.30 and Michael’s laughter was still echoing off the hills.......

Zincberg (Andrew) · #46 31-07-2011, 10:48 PM

Had a great night, thanks all for the company.
Was really glad I stayed long enough to get a slightly hazy, although not all bad, viewing of Jupiter at the end of the night.
Amazing that it stayed so dry... maybe the dew heard Pcers were going to Bretti and made its way there too?

Rodstar (Rod) · #47 01-08-2011, 06:45 PM

Deeno, thanks for reminding me about the comment. That was also a highlight of the evening. Thanks for bringing along the co-ordinates, and for reminding me how to use the Scratch Objects function!

Deeno · #48 03-08-2011, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodstar

Thanks for bringing along the co-ordinates, and for reminding me how to use the Scratch Objects function!

Only fair, you did show me how to use it to start with.....

Rodstar (Rod) · #49 03-08-2011, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deeno

Only fair, you did show me how to use it to start with.....

....they call it early onset dementia....