I'll take some time this week and write up my usual post event monologue, but just to get the ball rolling.......
I had a great time. Not as much clear sky as last year but that just gave more time for socializing I think at last count there was something like 25+ IIS members there. Next year I think there might be a few more members. A number of us were more than happy to sing the praises of IIS. I was surprised how many still weren't aware of our little site.
1. The h0ughy Hutch
2. Allan Meehan and his fantastic IIS shirts.
3. Lynne and Jake, Coombellkid's (Rob) family
4. Xeelee (Chris) and Dad (Mike)
5. Astroron at Argonavis' 25" Peter Mead Truss Dob
6. DaveO (Dave ) and Argonavis (Bill)
7. Astro_south (Andrew) and his 12.5 Truss
8. jjjenettie (Jeanette) and Jack
On Saturday night there is a traditional feast, followed by the drawing of the Door Prize (25x100 binocs donated by York Optical) and the raffle tickets. While we didn't win the 10" Lightbridge or the Binocs or the Zenithstar 80, of the 30 prizes up for grabs IISers took home 20% of them, with both mickal555 and CoombellKid getting two prizes each
1. CoombellKid (Rob)
2. mickal555 (Mickael)
3. Gargoyle_Steve
4. CK and Jake
5. jjjnettie
6. Lightbridge
7. Eddie T's fantastic mounted poster and Zenithstar (in box at right end)
8. York door prize binocs
After we finished stuffing out faces it was time for photos
1. Gargoyle_Steve, Nightshift and drmorbius
2. (facing camera from left front going clockwise) Astro_south, Daniel (converted ), Bob (probably converted ), h0ughy, astroron, Xeelee and Mike
3. Dennis (making a point)
4. Yours truely
In my brief appearance (24 hours starting at 8 pm on Friday!) I managed to bump into a few of you – and even in the chaos of setting up in the dark young Jake got a peek at 47 Tuc through the 20" (I think).
I took this photo at 7:45 on Saturday morning of the IIS corner. It was impressive how much of a presence the online club made at the event – great stuff.
Welcome home guys, great to hear and see that you all had a good time
Oh and is that 'orion' nebula there in the third across from the top in the night shots?
Good on you guy's & Gal's, I will have to put this one in my Calender for next year
I was busy setting up our new 18" Dob, so I will have to come next year to see what a 30" is like !
Apo Fever !!!
Picture this – a band of drizzle wafts in from the SE so everyone rushes to cover up their ‘scopes. Most used tarpaulins and plastic sheets – but Paul, no, not our Paul; he’s used a tarp, poly sheet and a Ralph Lauren blanket, all wrapped around his G-11.
Everyone except the hard core IIS Team decides to retire for the night. I keep flitting back ‘twixt IIS Team and ‘scope, hoping to grab the Tarantula in a sucker hole.
Now, under the dim red light of a diffuse torch, half an eye on ‘scope and NGC2070, simultaneously dodging Houghy’s green laser light show, I happened to strike up a conversation with Paul, only he didn’t seem to be responding. Daft bugger I thought, perhaps he’s been dazzled by Houghy’s antics with the laser, so I politely continues chatting – one way. Suddenly Paul’s voice appeared. Only it was from off stage left. Way left - Boy, he’s a good ventriloquist thought I. Flicking on my red led torch I suddenly discovered I had been talking to his wrapped up G-11, which in silhouette, bore a striking resemblance to Paul. There, the story is now out.
And what’s more, the G-11 was a more interesting conversationalist!
Hmmm....compared to Lostock.....I'd say it is better than Lostock but I find that it is very hard to get a really dark site anywhere within a couple of hundred kms of major city/light polluters these days (I grew up under dark country skies so I have a pretty severe yardstick to measure dark skies agains now ), it seems to be more a grey colour these days. However having said that the scorpio/sag region literally glowed! It was stunning. BUT it was nothing compared to the Friday from last year. That sight was unbelieveable at 2:30 in the morning.
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I think at last count there was something like 25+ IIS members there. Next year I think there might be a few more members. A number of us were more than happy to sing the praises of IIS. I was surprised how many still weren't aware of our little site.
) and Argonavis (Bill)
