Pony Club Sat 2 November?

MortonH · #1 20-10-2013, 07:53 PM

Just wondering if any of the regulars are not going to Bretti and might open up the PC on 2 November? Although I'm "booked" for Katoomba airfield that night it's looking somewhat unlikely it will be available with all that's going on, even though it's still two weeks away.

Shano592 (Shane) · #2 23-10-2013, 10:19 AM

Hi Morton,

Weather permitting, I should be there. I have a key to the gate.

Itching to get the scope out, too.

MortonH · #3 23-10-2013, 01:48 PM

Great.

Irish stargazer (John) · #4 24-10-2013, 06:49 AM

Likewise. Wiruna looks a bit iffy in these present conditions

absolut (Rob) · #5 24-10-2013, 08:17 AM

Hi guys!

Pony Club is looking pretty good at this stage, so I think I'll make my first trip there on the 2nd!

Crossing my fingers we don't end up with fires up that way as well!

Can't wait!

Rob

Allan_L (Allan) · #6 24-10-2013, 11:50 PM

The weather prophet indicates that this weekend may be better than next weekend up at the PC.
And with the moon not rising before 1am ...
But long range predictions are not always right, or so I am told.
Make up your own mind

absolut (Rob) · #7 25-10-2013, 08:27 AM

Hey Allan,

I'm easy, this Saturday works for me!
If next weekend ends up clear as well I'll be in on that too!!

Who can come along this Saturday?

Rob

glend (Glen) · #8 25-10-2013, 09:45 AM

Just be aware that there was still smoke hanging over the central coast last night, I could see it just looking out over the lake and smell it at west Lake Macquarie. I actually tried to get the scope out last night, because the previous night improved on the back of the winds that pushed it away, but the haze was still present. There are still some active fire at Mimni near Newcastle, and some smoke is being carried in from the Blue Mtns on the back of the southwesterly winds (and this tends to be held much higher in the atmo than the low level smoke from Minmi).

Try to get a smoke/seeing assessment from the guys in Gosford before you head up there.

Rick Petrie · #9 25-10-2013, 10:26 AM

I think this Saturday night looks Good for me as I won't be able to go to Bretti the following weekend.
Glen, the forecast for Sat. looks OK with light easterlies predicted. Albeit there may be some dew with this. But with the moon rising as Al said, we should be able to get quite a few good hours in.
Fingers crossed that the smoke fallout will be minimal, as the fires are tending to die somewhat with these cooler temps.
Any other starters?

MortonH · #10 25-10-2013, 11:24 AM

Can't do this weekend. Only 2 November for me.

Shano592 (Shane) · #11 25-10-2013, 03:39 PM

This weekend is no good for me. Odds are very good that I will be in the Hunter Valley somewhere, sans scope.

Allan · #12 25-10-2013, 05:19 PM

I am away this weekend as well. Get back on Saturday the 2nd, so I could drag myself along that night.

Irish stargazer (John) · #13 25-10-2013, 08:02 PM

Can attend if there is a keyholder present.

Allan_L (Allan) · #14 26-10-2013, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glend

I thought I had a window of opportunity to get the 16" out last night to test the wifi Pushto system alignment but Yuck, that's the only word for the soup that I had to observe through last night. Despite a good easterly blowing all day on the coast, which appeared to have cleared most of the fire smoke off to the far west, the high brown haze crept back a couple of hours after dark when the wind abated. Even with the 16" I was struggling to see much beyond the brighter clusters, certainly the Grus Quartet could not be found even though I was right on the co-ordinates. Objects at zenith at 11pm were not much better. However, looking east over the ocean the seeing seemed much better. I wish the Pony Club guys better luck tonight.

YES, last night, although moonless, I could not make out any stars from home.

Probably a waste of time tonight, unless a huge improvement in the meantime.

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #15 26-10-2013, 02:27 PM

I would like to head up with my smaller scope if anyone has a key.

Here's hoping....

GTB_an_Owl (Geoff) · #16 26-10-2013, 03:31 PM

my arm might be twisted for a bit of company observing Geoffro

geoff

absolut (Rob) · #17 26-10-2013, 03:49 PM

At what point are we going to call it a go or no go?

I'm keen, but admittedly driving for an hour (and a bit) for a session of "nothing to see here" isn't top of my todo list for a Sat night.

I'll check in again around 6pm...

Thanks!

Rob

Inmykombi (Geoff) · #18 26-10-2013, 05:51 PM

I just took a drive to see what the sky looks like to the West and there is smoke haze and clouds to the West and North and some overhead.
I will give it a miss tonight I think.

Rick Petrie · #19 26-10-2013, 05:51 PM

At this point unfortunately the sky hasn't cleared to the west and north so I am thinking I might put the feet up here at home.
Not worth the risk with all the haze and cloud around.
Those going I hope get lucky.
Was really looking forward to getting the scope out tonight.

Allan_L (Allan) · #20 26-10-2013, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by absolut

At what point are we going to call it a go or no go?

I'm keen, but admittedly driving for an hour (and a bit) for a session of "nothing to see here" isn't top of my todo list for a Sat night.

I'll check in again around 6pm...

Thanks!

Rob

No Go for me tonight.
Its really crook looking here in Wyong.
Worse than last night.