Central Coast February observing.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Thanks to Geoff for all his efforts in trying to find a better observing site for us. I know you really put a lot into this and the final washup, while a little disappointing, was certainly well worth trying.

My feelings were pretty much summed up in your report.

With Soaring Club members having to be on site when we use it, we lose control of the clubhouse, and this is where a lot of the light seems to be coming from, in areas that could be utilised by imagers needing power.

My vote is that we continue with the Pony Club.

Thanks again Geoffro.

[gb_astro]

WOW, that is a big airstrip. Google Earth does not do it justice.

Have to agree with what Geoff says except that if you can forgo amenities and power there is an excellent area about 400 meters north of the club house where I could see no lights at all in any direction except the club house ones, but these were so far away they just looked like bright stars
This area definitely has potential. Interesting to see how much sky glow there is from Gosford on a clear night.

I guess this could change if the security lights are turned back on.
Also if the only group there is halfway down the airstrip and no one is actually at the club house I would not be surprised if we were not allowed to turn those security lights off.

Still, I would really like to try this place again on a clear night.

Maybe we could use it as a backup location or for non-Saturday nights.
If it was just a matter of checking whether the caretaker (who is a Soaring Club member) is there, viewing nights could be more flexible than the Pony Club???

Greg.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

Greg

there is, and never has been any restriction on what nights we can use the pony club

all you need is a key - and for that, you only need to ask someone who has one and get a copy made

geoff

ps - and be shown how to turn the water on and off

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

How about we try for the PC next weekend . Saturday the 20th ?

I am in.
I got lots of points for surprising my Wife this Valentines day.

It a wonder what some expensive perfume and a night out can accomplish.

Cant wait to get my new eyepiece under the stars....

Who's in for next weekend at the PC ?

Geoffro.

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

Just a quick note to show the email I sent to the Soaring Club President to say thanks for the opportunity to check out their facilities last night.

___________________________________ ___________________________

Dear Wayne,

Thanks for the opportunity to try your Soaring Club last night Saturday the 13th Feb.
Your facilities are excellent, and Kurt was helpful and obliging during our visit as well.

Four of the regular visitors to our Astronomy group turned up to check out the site and look at the lighting
as well as the potential observing areas around the club grounds.

Lighting is of great importance to us when observing. We try to minimise the lighting when observing as we try hard to preserve our " night vision".
Thus enabling us to see more of the dull / dim object in the sky that otherwise would not be able to be seen.

Unfortunately, the club grounds have some nearby street lighting that doesnt help us at all.
There is also the exterior lighting on the clubhouse that although doesnt work at present, will
be repaired sometime in the future and then will also detract from our efforts to preserve our nght vision.
As the Caretaker Kurt, or a member of the Soaring Club would have to be on-site during our observing sessions, it
would also be unfair to ask Kurt / or member to remain in the Clubhouse in darkness while we are on-site observing in the field.

The general opinion of the four attendees on Saturday night, was that we should remain at our present place of observing which is at the nearby Pony Club.


Once again, I thank you for all your help in getting us to the point of trying the arifeld for our use in Astronomy.
But we have decided not to use it for our Astronomy use.

Best regards

[sally1jack (Phil)]

Thanks geoffro for all your effort it may not have worked out but the effort was the same ,
Iwill try to make it next week

Phil

[Rick Petrie]

Originally Posted by sally1jack

Thanks geoffro for all your effort it may not have worked out but the effort was the same ,

I'm with you Phil and thanks Geoff for all your input. Just sorry I couldn't be there as I was down with a bug of some description.
Would have also liked to be at a PC meet next week but will be in Tassie.
Hope all you guys that attend have some clear stuff overhead.
Cheers

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by Inmykombie

How about we try for the PC next weekend . Saturday the 20th ?

I am in.
I got lots of points for surprising my Wife this Valentines day.

It a wonder what some expensive perfume and a night out can accomplish.

Cant wait to get my new eyepiece under the stars....

Who's in for next weekend at the PC ?

Geoffro.

Next week at PC sounds good to me too.
Moon will be waxing crescent and should set about 10:30ish.

Was hoping to surprise my wife too, Geoff!
But she surprised me by being sound asleep when I got home just before 10. Maybe I should have tried some of that expensive perfume stuff myself.

[Inmykombi (Geoff)]

I will start another thread as this one may not be checked by the regulars.