Central Coast Observing in February

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Originally Posted by GTB_an_Owl

you can be thankfull we didn't put the buckets out then Geoff

geoff

I think the buckets would have still been there till next trip Geoff.

[RB (Andrew)]

A fun night was had by all who attended and indeed we were lucky to get clear skies throughout the night.

The views through Geoff's LX200 10" and Rick's scopes were great, I really enjoyed "the triple" and views of Saturn and Mars too.

We also managed to fill the urn with water after solving the mystery of the missing water and thanks to Geoff_The_Owl, there was plenty of "coffee on the table" .
Also enjoyed Geoff's (inmykombie) freshly ground coffee, thanks mate.

Originally Posted by Rick Petrie

My scope was suffering huge build up and I think I will need to experiment with a "Cuban" smoke test as Andrew said to determine the flow of air through the tube.

Always a pleasure to be of service Rick !

Thanks for you company guys, always a pleasure to catch up again.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

yes - well you just have to be there to get some of our subtle jokes, don't you RB.
apart from there being plenty of coffee on the table, i enjoyed Geoffs freshly ground version that he brewed after the farmer in you sussed the water problem
the beautiful sunset on the way up alone, made the trip worthwhile

considering the expected weather pattern, what we ended up with was terrific.
and yes, sorry geoff - knowing how much noise the dogs make when you are closing the gate, i should have stayed with you

geoff

[koputai (Jason)]

Guys,
Is anyone thinking of Pony Clubbing this coming weekend, Friday 8th/Saturday 9th?

Cheers,
Jason.

[iceman (Mike)]

I'll be away, so can't come.

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

I will plan on being there again.

I ran the idea past SWMBO and only got a "HMMMMMMMMMMMMMM"

So I took that as a yes, it definately it wasnt a NO.

Whats the weather lookiing like ? Has anyone checked ?

[RB (Andrew)]

Originally Posted by Inmykombie

Whats the weather lookiing like ? Has anyone checked ?

It will clear !

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

HEY!
thats my line - get your own

partly cloudy and windy - Dweather say's for Sat

geoff

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

plenty of time between now and then.


Is anyone doing anything for the Solar Eclipse on Thursday ?

[Arthur Alchin (Arthur Alchin)]

if saturday nights on I may well go back up. Any advice how to clean my corrector lens as it got "DEWED" up last saturday and now looks a bit spotty????i have made a DEW heater this week out of nichrome wire at 14 watts and want to give it a go.

Arthur Alchin

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Hi Arthur,

14 watts sounds a bit hefty to me.
Although I had advice to make a heater at 15-20 watts when I was asking.
I actually made two heaters from resistors at 6 watts each.
Which means a total amp rating of 1 amp at 12 volts.
One heater for light dew, and two for heavy dew.
I had no problems at all last week with the dew when using both heaters..

Nicrome wire might behave differently, it will be interesting to see how it goes.

With regard to cleaning, I got hold of this great stuff from Bintel.
Its nicknamed "jungle juice".
It is especially made for cleaning correcting plates / lenses with UHTC.

The cleaners' correct name is UHTC cleaning solution.
Just call BINTEL as I did, and they send it out to you . I ordered it one day and had it the next....about $18 dollars if I remember rightly.

They say that we shouldnt use it too often....only occasionaly.

Look forward to catching up again soon.

Geoff.

[RB (Andrew)]

Anyone game for tonight (9th)?

[h0ughy (David)]

you know it does look like its clearing, even though its raining!!!!

[RB (Andrew)]

Well it just might you know !

Took this a few minutes ago.
It may end up a good night.

[koputai (Jason)]

Originally Posted by RB

It may end up a good night.

Well if it does, I'll be enjoying it from my backyard!

Cheers,
Jason.

[Rick Petrie]

I would love to think it would clear, but here on the coast there is some portals of blue but still plenty of thick black ones hanging around that look like they will dump some more.
I will have another look in about an hour or two.

[ausastronomer (John Bambury)]

If it clears and we look like getting a few starters I may head up there. I won't be taking my scope. Too much work in marginal weather for a one night maybe.

Cheers,
John B

[Rick Petrie]

Still much the same- I don't think I'll risk driving up to mountain.
Might set up at home for a fix if promising enough.

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

I wont be going up to the mountain tonight. It looks too risky.

The clouds on the coast are still thick enough to keep me inside..


Geoffro

[RB (Andrew)]

ok it's a no-go tonight, we'll have to wait till next month and hope for better weather guys.