Bretti Reserve Star Parties 2015

[Allan]

G'day Allan. I'm thinking I might be around Coolah on Wednesday if you're keen. I should have internet most of the time so feel free to send me a PM.

[Ken]

Hi off to Bretti this friday to sunday to check it out bringing Ian [ I.C.D.] and our better halves along. Ian has a new van and is keen to try it out, hope the weather is kind. Might catch up with some of you guys.
Clear skies Ken.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

take your gumboots Ken

http://weather.gtbonline.com.au/index.php/7timer-bretti

geoff

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

I'd probably be up for a couple of nights if the weather wasn't looking so miserable..it's been truly atrocious recently

[glend (Glen)]

Dunk, I have had a couple of great nights up here over the last two despite the forecast it cleared after dark and allowed some good imaging runs with my cooled full spectrum camera running at -10C. Need to work out how much battery power I need to take to Bretti. If you can get up there for a couple of days next week it maybe well worth it.

Have a look here at just one (3 minute 30 second) test sub from Saturday night (yes there is a little dirt on the sensor around the middle right side):

http://www.astrobin.com/full/171762/0/

Ken be aware that this coming weekend is the last weekend of the school holidays and Bretti is usually fairly busy then but by late Sunday they should be gone.

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

Dunk - i wouldn't take much notice of the long range forecast
it has been changing from good to bad daily

i am making preparations and will be going if at all possible

geoff

[Camelopardalis (Dunk)]

Looking good Glen! It's just been so changeable. I don't have an obsy and it's a real effort attempting good polar alignment with all the skyline obstructions.

I'll prolly load up at the weekend and if the rain clears I should be OK to head up Mon or Tue if it's looking promising

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

Dunk

get yourself a tarp and a couple of poles big enough to go over your tent and give you a covered area at the front of the tent

geoff

[uwahl (Ulrich)]

I'm still on track for Mon 20th.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

I have a doctor's appointment today with my skin cancer specialist.
AND
My Van has an appointment with its mechanical specialist.

Depending on the prognosis of these two, still on track for Bretti next Monday.

Not sure about Coolah (very tempting but)... I have several eBay transactions ending in the next couple of days
... selling... IXON ladies motorcycle jacket and several ladies camping shirts (all as new and to fit ladies size 10)
... Bidding on... preloved telescope (of course )

[glend (Glen)]

It's a concern that you even have a skin cancer specialist, implying some problem in the past. Hope all turn out well.

Now what is this scope your chasing?

[glend (Glen)]

Just checked the extended forecast and it's not looking great for next week, and the charts showing a rain band coming in from the soutwest on the weekend are another concern. Fingers crossed it all blows through and fine's up from Monday but contingency plans might be a good idea.
Actually the next couple of nights look pretty good so i will be out in the observatory 'hopefully'.

[Ken]

Forcast looks iffy for the weekend might see something friday night, looks like packing up wet sunday. Good just to get away, might have to pack a few more drinks lol.
Clear skies Ken.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by glend

It's a concern that you even have a skin cancer specialist, implying some problem in the past. Hope all turn out well.

I had a malignant melanoma surgically removed 4 years ago.
Gotta keep an eye on it for recurrence or spread to other regions.
Todays results: so far so good.
Although he did "freeze off" (Cryotherapy - liquid nitrogen - ouch!) about 20 sun spots from my face so its a bit tender for a week or so.

Now what is this scope your chasing?

I thought it looked interesting, and worth a one off bid, but I have been outbid and won't pursue it now.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/221739217...%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Originally Posted by GTB_an_Owl

i am making preparations and will be going if at all possible
geoff

Excellent!
Me too
So...
C'mon weather spirits - give us a break for a change

[GTB_an_Owl (Geoff)]

i think we might be in trouble when the local forecast matches that for bretti for next week

hope it changes for the better

geoff

[Allan_L (Allan)]

Originally Posted by GTB_an_Owl

i think we might be in trouble when the local forecast matches that for bretti for next week

hope it changes for the better

geoff

YES, checked the weather for Coolah, Bretti, Chaffey Dam, and Mangrove Mountain, for this week and next.
ALL Very discouraging.

[uwahl (Ulrich)]

The weather looks awful for next week. It doesn't look like it will be worth going unless there's an improvement. If there is a change at the end of the week I might go up then and stay the weekend even though it's the first quarter moon

[skullmurphy]

Well as I already have paid half the rental on the camper trailer I will go anyway despite the gloomy outlook weatherwise.

This trip lets me experience the camper trailer lifestyle for the first time rain or no rain and helps in my search of the style of of mobile accommodation that will suit Jenny and myself for further escapades in retirement.

We now also have acquired a 2008 Holden Colorado diesel 4wd crewcab so towing now shouldn't be a problem whatever we eventually get.

I was hoping to get into some variable star observing at Bretti, something I use to do in the early 70s but if the rain stuffs that well more socialising will be in order.

Skull

[glend (Glen)]

Skull congrats on the Colorado, which happens to use a variant of the engine tha's in my Jeep. Generally trouble free and long lived. Good luck with the weather and you may yet have company as the weather forecast, or actual, can change.

[Allan_L (Allan)]

I want to go, but 5 days of rain... I mean really ...
and there is not much to do there at the best of times...
perhaps it is time for a major rethink...
is anybody else still seriously considering it ?

Is there anywhere in this state that looks like being dry next week?
Open to ANY suggestions