ISS Crosses the Sun - Brisbane, 9 April, 3.44pm - Image...just!

[Matt Wastell (Matt)]

Hi all

I think I have this right.

The ISS crosses the disc of the Sun at 3.44pm, Tuesday 9th April 2013

Here is the centre line

http://www.calsky.com/?Transitline=&...231&mainbody=0

If you are good with calsky, please confirm.

I managed to get 15 frames with the ISS through the LS60 and DMK51 - conditions were awful - rain literally up to the event from the Mt Gravatt lookout - I did not even have time to get good focus or tuning but hey, I got it. Here is an early pic!

[Matt Wastell (Matt)]

I have found the perfect spot - near centre line - Mt Gravatt Lookout - just hope I have the time right!?

[batema (Mark)]

Just a question how wide would the path be for you to see the transit?

[von Tom (Tom)]

Nice one Matt. The time and path is correct. It's nearly right over my house but I'm at work
The path is about 14 wide, 7km either side of the centreline

[johnnyt123 (John)]

Oh come on....

Someone has to get a shot of this....

Anybody?

[Matt Wastell (Matt)]

I will be trying! Weather not great in Brisbane though!

[Dennis]

Hi Matt

Thanks for the heads up. I don’t think that I’ll be planning to set up after my last clouded out effort. The forecast and general outlook look worse than the last time!

Good luck if you are any other brave soul attempts it – it looks a good pass, a full 1.2 seconds!

Cheers

Dennis

[von Tom (Tom)]

You only need that 1 second to be clear in that part of the sky Good luck!

[Dennis]

Hmm, my wife just ‘phoned me and said there is 100% cloud cover and heavy rain in the Mt Gravatt area right now (3:00pm)…

Cheers

Dennis

[sheeny (Al)]

Good luck, Matt!

Al.

[Dennis]

Well, I got sucked in, rushed home, grabbed the gear and set up in a local park.

Just as I had set up it rained on me but as I had packed the scope covers that was but a mild inconvenience. As the seconds approached I just got a slight clearing in the clouds so I could make a quick attempt at focusing and then immediately hit the “Record” button (twice) and managed to grab the ISS in 15 frames.

I have a new name for this past time: “Just-in-time, rapid set-up, extreme imaging”.

Not as good as my last effort, but at least I got something.

As expected, 1 minute after transit, the clouds cleared for a few minutes…

Cheers

Dennis

[sheeny (Al)]

Dennis!

Al.

[Paul Haese]

Every time I get a center line notification it is at willunga hills and on private property. You guys seem to strike it lucky in Brisbane. Nice going Dennis despite the cloud.

[Peter Ward]

Not picture perfect...but well worth the effort. Nice one.

[RB (Andrew)]

You never cease to amaze me Dennis.

[Derek Klepp]

Dennis those clouds add to the effect great capture.Have you got a WL closeup of that big spot yet?

[John Hothersall]

Clouds don't phase you, well done Dennis.

John.

[Matt Wastell (Matt)]

Great to see you got it Dennis - it was a rough and ready session - I thought I was going to get soaked from all directions!

[johnnyt123 (John)]

100 points for effort.
Well done mate.

Too bad the weather didn't cooperate.
But well done

[h0ughy (David)]

Originally Posted by Dennis

Well, I got sucked in, rushed home, grabbed the gear and set up in a local park.

Just as I had set up it rained on me but as I had packed the scope covers that was but a mild inconvenience. As the seconds approached I just got a slight clearing in the clouds so I could make a quick attempt at focusing and then immediately hit the “Record” button (twice) and managed to grab the ISS in 15 frames.

I have a new name for this past time: “Just-in-time, rapid set-up, extreme imaging”.

Not as good as my last effort, but at least I got something.

As expected, 1 minute after transit, the clouds cleared for a few minutes…

Cheers

Dennis