NSW Central Coast Casual Observing - Page 5

Shano592 (Shane) · #81 07-06-2016, 05:08 PM

I know it won't be the very best opportunity, with a roughly 50% moon, but is anyone interested in a Friday night run to the Pony Club, weather permitting?

sharptrack2 (Kevin) · #82 07-06-2016, 07:20 PM

Friday night is tough for me as I don't get home from the city until 5:30. It would be a frantic rush to get out there before too late and get setup.

But that said, I wouldn't mind some darker sky to look at. It's been planets only for a few weeks now. So I could be up for it, but Saturday would be better.

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #83 07-06-2016, 07:59 PM

i will be in Coffs this weekend

geoff

Shano592 (Shane) · #84 08-06-2016, 11:53 AM

And Saturday is slated for a late shower. Otherwise it would be my option, too.

sharptrack2 (Kevin) · #85 08-06-2016, 10:30 PM

I'll be there if we can get a group together. I haven't seen any input from Allan yet... could be a deal breaker!

The forecasts now have Saturday clear and the rain moving in on Sunday. Seeing might not be the greatest but better than near the coast.

Shano592 (Shane) · #86 10-06-2016, 10:36 AM

The Showjumping Club have an event on Sunday also. I'm not sure if they setup their jumps ahead of time. Also, the moon will be at about 1/3 tonight, and close to Jupiter in the sky. Obviously, the contrasting from the moon will worsen over coming days.

I'll definitely be going tonight (Friday). I have a key to the gate, and will aim to be there by 5pm.

If anything changes it my circumstances, it will be by 2pm, and I will advise right away, otherwise, I will be there later this afternoon.

Allan_L (Allan) · #87 10-06-2016, 11:14 AM

Well, I am thinking about it.
But in case I don't make it ...
Make sure you take a picnic blanket and some pegs (or such) in case they leave that light on in the locked toilet, closest to the observing field again.

Weather forecast looks pretty heartening.
Will watch for your 2pm update.

Shano592 (Shane) · #88 10-06-2016, 11:49 AM

Good point.

Maybe some back spray paint instead?

/kidding.

sharptrack2 (Kevin) · #89 10-06-2016, 01:44 PM

I'm in for tonight... leaving work early to get home and pack up. But I will not be there before 5:30pm. It will be after dark for sure. I'll try not to flood the field with headlights when I get there... but these old eyes don't see as well as they used to.

Looking forward to meeting you Shane!

sharptrack2 (Kevin) · #90 10-06-2016, 01:46 PM

Oh, and I'll bring a couple of tarps and poles, figure out something for that window, just in case.

Shano592 (Shane) · #91 10-06-2016, 02:09 PM

Hi Kevin,

No problem about the dark. I'm only doing visual, and will probably still be setting up by then.

I will possibly have brother-in-law and nephews coming along for a view.

Allan_L (Allan) · #92 11-06-2016, 09:23 AM

A good night,
Thanks Shane for organising it.
Thanks also to Kevin for sharing stories over a warm cuppa.
It was interesting doing a bit of moon viewing early, such a beautiful object to view at this time of month. Next time, though, I must remember to incorporate a null filter.

Viewing was good.
Plenty of splendid objects on show.

Well, thats my fix for the month I guess.

Rick Petrie · #93 11-06-2016, 10:27 AM

You're making me envious all you guys. Looks like my next viewing night will probably be Oct. new moon. Back on the 25th Sept. All progressing slowly over here but outcome is very optimistic. Cheers Rick

glend (Glen) · #94 11-06-2016, 10:33 AM

That is great news Rick! All the best for your daughter's recovery.
On a lighter note, you get to miss all the Australian election campaign. Then again maybe the US election campaign is even more annoying.

sharptrack2 (Kevin) · #95 11-06-2016, 12:00 PM

Yes a good night!

Enjoyed the company and conversation! Thanks to Shane for taking the time and well met for sure! I hope we'll meet up more often.

Glad I was able to get out there. Not too happy with my mount at the moment but I'm sure it is something I've done. Supports the old adage "don't fix it if it ain't broke". It's what I get for trying to get a better polar alignment on a simple wedge platform.

Looking forward to getting out again next time. Hope to play with some photography as well.

Shano592 (Shane) · #96 16-06-2016, 02:24 PM

...The only problem with long weekends, is the extended catch-up time on the far side...

Yes, Friday was a good night. Even though we were casting shadows, there were still a lot of things to see in the sky. We were right about the Saturday being a loss though.

I still maintain that I saw Pluto at the end of the night!

Kevin, I think my compass app might be more to blame for your night's frustration than anything you did. For some silly reason, it shows true south to be west of south. A lot of googling (as well as a couple of other apps) shows this to be (now) obviously wrong.

It will also explain why I have been having such grief with the wedge, myself..

My deepest apologies for screwing over your night's viewing!

Oh, and it was a pleasure to meet you also!

sharptrack2 (Kevin) · #97 16-06-2016, 09:44 PM

No worries Shane,

That reminds me to double check the compass setting myself. I seriously doubt that being a few degrees off due south would have caused my issue. The view was seriously drifting in declination and RA was retrograding (is that a real term?

) It looked like it was tracking too fast.

I recently fussed with the latitude setting and declination zero, and personally think that I moved too far. I'm getting a digital level/protractor delivered very soon and will spend some serious time calibrating the mount with a laser and some trigonometry.

Will be ready for our next opportunity! Definitely before July 2nd, planning on being south of Sydney at the airfield if the weather cooperates.

Shano592 (Shane) · #98 28-06-2016, 10:00 AM

OK, putting a tentative ping out for Mangrove Mountain for Saturday evening. Weather permitting, of course. CFN suggests at the moment, that it will be cloud free until around 10pm, then about 13% cloudiness. Let's hope it lasts.

If anything, it gets me away from the election hoohaa for a night.

Going on the last week's weather, I would suggest that cold weather gear may be in order.

@RB can probably give a more accurate account, but I believe last Saturday night got down into negative territory up there. -2.8 I believe.

RB (Andrew) · #99 28-06-2016, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shano592

@RB can probably give a more accurate account, but I believe last Saturday night got down into negative territory up there. -2.8 I believe.

I would, but my fingers are still frozen.

sharptrack2 (Kevin) · #**100** 28-06-2016, 11:33 AM

The cold not withstanding, I'm staying home to play in the comfort of my backyard this Saturday. Hopefully with my freshly serviced Celestar 8, set neatly on my new SW HEQ5 mount, that I now have to learn how to use.

I don't think the 9 Volt battery from the old mount will stand up to the task of powering the new mount.