NSW Central Coast Casual Observing - Page 6

Shano592 (Shane) · #**101** 28-06-2016, 11:53 AM

A car battery will fix that issue.

A new mount. *sigh* ... there goes the weather!

I'm going to take the wedge up and see what is involved, once I'm actually point towards True South, not 24° away.

Any other takers, the gates should be opened around 4pm (to confirm on Saturday). With the wedge in play, I want to spend a little more daylight sussing things out.

sharptrack2 (Kevin) · #**102** 28-06-2016, 12:07 PM

It's OK Shane, I had a little chat with the weather god and got him to agree that this coming Friday is long enough to punish me for buying it last Saturday.

I thought about just diving in and using the cigarette lighter in the car, but prudence is yelling in my ear to stay where I can get serious lighting if I need it to figure out what I've done wrong.

As I was hoping to make it up to Katoomba, the cold is going to detour me... should have bought a Freezer suit!

If I get confident enough between now and Saturday, I might make an appearance.

Allan_L (Allan) · #**103** 30-06-2016, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shano592

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.

The owls 7 timer link HERE confirms that Saturday night (2/7) could be a ripper at the Pony Club.

Anyone else?

sharptrack2 (Kevin) · #**104** 30-06-2016, 05:00 PM

I'm thinking I might take the chance and get both feet wet. I just need to work out this polar alignment routine. Drift alignment has been strongly recommended instead of the polar scope, so reading up and need to practice.

My heavy weather wet gear, for sailing, has proven effective in fighting off the cold so I should be able to get a couple of hours in.

Maybe Allan can manage the drive up and provide a safe haven for frozen toes and noses!

hint, hint....

I'm happy to bring packets of hot chocolate and tea bags.

So count me in as a definite, most probably, will be there.

sharptrack2 (Kevin) · #**105** 30-06-2016, 05:03 PM

Besides, I now have a new focuser to try out... received a moonlight DC servo version today, courtesy of Ublique.

Shano592 (Shane) · #**106** 30-06-2016, 09:12 PM

Well, I will definitely be there.

I have to go to Maitland early arvo, but will be back in good time to load up.

Like you, Kevin, I gots me some learning to do. I think I will print off the cheat sheets at work tomorrow, so I don't have to rely on the wet sock in my head.

Allan, how is the back? Is that what you aggravated?

Allan_L (Allan) · #**107** 02-07-2016, 01:55 PM

Sorry Shane, I have not been ignoring you, just waiting for a late fitness test.
Unfortunately, although the knee is coming along well, my shoulder injury is still giving me grief.
Especially in the cold night air.
I guess I should stay at home tonight.
Seems most regulars are of the same view too.
Hope you guys have a good night.

Shano592 (Shane) · #**108** 02-07-2016, 03:26 PM

Hi Allan, thats is a pity. Hope you heal up quickly.

I will be heading out shortly. Just about to load up.

sharptrack2 (Kevin) · #**109** 02-07-2016, 04:05 PM

I'm on my way...

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #**110** 02-07-2016, 04:08 PM

i'm not in the mood
sorry

geoff

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #**111** 02-07-2016, 06:02 PM

Our Visitors have now departed. If anyone is up there, I will make an effort without am scope, as I too have injured my back and don't want to lift anything.

Shano592 (Shane) · #**112** 03-07-2016, 12:45 AM

Well, Geoff was a surprise visitor tonight.

When he arrived, they sky was covered in high cloud. The clouds finally left at around 7 or 7:30pm, from memory. From that point on it was clear and clean, with only a little atmospheric turbulence.

Through Kevin's scope, we were able to see one of the Galilean moons transit Jupiter.

I wasn't able to get tracking right on the wedge, but wasn't too far away. Maybe next time, with a little more daylight, and a better compass.

Thanks to Kevin and Geoff for making the trip out.

Gate was locked just after 11:30pm.

sharptrack2 (Kevin) · #**113** 03-07-2016, 01:06 PM

Great meeting Geoff last night.

Great conversations even though I was little quiet. It was chilly and I was feeling it.

Thank you Shane for opening up. It did start to look pretty poorly after dusk, and I almost wanted to pack up. Glad I held off and waited it out.

Got some of my best views of Saturn, Mars and Jupiter. Not sure if it was the cleaning the telescope got, the new diagonal, or the seeing. Doesn't really matter, watching a crisp clear Ganymede shadow move across the planet was awesome. Too bad I was focused on finding the Sombrero galaxy during the GRS transit, I missed that opportunity. Finding M104 in my own scope, actually the credit goes to Geoff, but seeing it for the first time through my scope was quite satisfying.

Also really appreciate the loan of the 40mm panoptic EP. The nebulea we looked at really popped. I have made up my mind what my next major expense will be!

Looking forward to the next time!

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #**114** 04-07-2016, 01:22 PM

Greatn to meet you too Kevin, thx for the views through tyour Celestron, it was worth waiting around for after the clouds cleared. And thx for that Hot chocolate too. it hit the spot.
Great to catch up with Shane again too....long time no see.... Thx for the tips with Sky Safari too. It was cold but good value.

Shano592 (Shane) · #**115** 06-07-2016, 11:51 AM

Yeah... Skysafari just wouldn't link up an Saturday night.

On Sunday I set everything up in the rumpus room, and it was running beautifully. The only thing I did was to remove and refit all of the cables from the Nexus to the scope.

Even last night, it was sweet. Must have been a connection issue.

Next time up, I'll show you the view through the F6.3 reducer, Geoff.

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #**116** 09-07-2016, 08:13 PM

That'd be great Shane.

I'll try and get this Back of mine better, and see if I can get my Coffee grinder up there again too.

Shano592 (Shane) · #**117** 12-07-2016, 12:36 PM

Cool.

And see if you can convince Arthur to come along, it will be good to catch up.

Shano592 (Shane) · #**118** 26-07-2016, 12:46 PM

Considering the Pony Club this Friday night after work.

The moon will be waning to 31%, and will not rise until about 2am (I will be back home and snoring by then).

I really want to get as much time into the wedge as I can, and Saturday night could potentially carry clouds for the turn of weather on Sunday.

I will confirm again on Friday, but at the moment, looking 72.6% sure.

Any takers are welcome to join in.

EDIT: Just looking at CFN, the high cloud doesn't look promising for the evening. Now looking 46.1% sure...

sharptrack2 (Kevin) · #**119** 26-07-2016, 02:28 PM

I'm in the City for the boat show during the day, but could be up for a session if I'm back at a reasonable hour to get up there. Based on recent patterns, the cloud won't hang around much after night fall, but seeing might still be a bit mediocre.

glend (Glen) · #**120** 26-07-2016, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharptrack2

I'm in the City for the boat show during the day, but could be up for a session if I'm back at a reasonable hour to get up there. Based on recent patterns, the cloud won't hang around much after night fall, but seeing might still be a bit mediocre.

Hey Kevin, better leave your credit card at home if your going to the Boat Show! We need an Astronomy Show!