From across the Pacific & Indian oceans..

[Grinz]

Hello all, I've been a member for a while but have been a bit silent recently (joined during the big McNaught excitement) - mainly because of work, life etc...

But I wanted to say I really enjoy IceinSpace. I am in Cape Town, South Africa and since we share the same skies, it is great to follow the discussions here.

I have the highest admiration for the very active amateur astronomical communities in Aus and NZ. If any of you would like to talk about getting in touch with South African amateur astronomers or clubs for whatever reason, or any other topic of mutual interest, please shout! I'm quite active in our own local society and national body.

Anway, just thought I'd say hi from across the Pacific

[ballaratdragons (Ken)]

Welcome back Lee.

If we shout loud enough, will you hear us from waaayyyy over there

[Grinz]

Thanks - I've been lurking around but not posting. Would not call me "shy" if you knew me personally *chuckle* but I guess that is what I was around here... .

And in case some clever Aussie sports lover was about to utter the word "cricket" and link that to my bashfulness.... welllll... yeah OK fine... you might have had a point during the CWC (well done, by the way!) For the moment I won't say too much about rugby - I will not even whisper "Super 14" since the Rugby World Cup is still to be played.

But back to the stars...

ALL of them are currently behind clouds. Rainy season in the Cape has started and it also means Winter is just about here. Not much chance of major stargazing this weekend.

[iceman (Mike)]

Hi Lee, I was just thinking about you the other week, wondering where you'd bene.

Great to have you back.

[erick (Eric)]

Originally Posted by Grinz

....But back to the stars...

ALL of them are currently behind clouds. Rainy season in the Cape has started and it also means Winter is just about here. Not much chance of major stargazing this weekend.

Hi Lee,

Same here! Rain finally!!

- for stargazing
- for drought relief

[RB (Andrew)]

Hi Lee,

Nice to see you posting here again !
Yep we're getting some much needed rain, during new moon of course !

[Kal (Andrew)]

Hi Lee!

I notice you have -33°52'1"S 18°28'58"E in your sig but it is not in your profile. If you put it in your profile we can how far away from us you are (I'm curious as to whether it is greater than 10K klms!)

If you want to add it in it is in: User CP > Edit profile

Edit: Actually, you might have it in but it isn't showing because it is too far!

[sheeny (Al)]

Howzit Uncle?

I was in Cape Town for a couple of weeks in 1999, and then in J'burg for a couple of weeks in 2001. Had a lekker time both times!

Gee, it's hard to remember what little Africaans and SA lingo that I picked up then... how quick it goes when you don't use it!

I remember not much of a view of the stars from in Cape Town due to the lights and smoke. Do you get out of town to a dark site much?

Al.

[Omaroo (Chris Malikoff)]

Lee - Goeie môre

I have to say that I absolutely love Cape Town. I've been to SA about 20 times over the past few years, and each time I go I stay at the little village around the other side of the peninsula called Fish Hoek. I just love it there. Cape Town has certainly changed over the years, and the last time I went I don't think I've ever seen so many beautiful blondes, Porsches and restaurants as I have there. I was offered a very good job in Joburg but declined due to security issues. The Cape however.... I'd live there in a heartbeat.

Welcome to IIS!

Cheers
Chris

[Grinz]

Gee so many nice replies - thanks!

Sheeny - I'll never be an uncle *chuckle*, being of the female kind. But good to know you've been visiting. If you (or any of the others) plan another visit, DO let me know? And especially if you plan to visit Cape Town, we'd like to welcome you at one of our meetings or outings or something - or at least have coffee or a drink together.

Yes, Cape Town itself is light polluted: you can see Crux & the main stars of Orion and of course the planets etc from the centre of the city at night - but everything else is at least binocular stuff. However, in some of the suburbs the seeing is much better. For a really good view, you have to leave the city and we normally have our dark sky events at a farm about 30km from the city. Lots of urban glow there still, but on a good night you can see the Milky Way and the LMC & SMC vaguely. When you start driving further North and away from all the major city lights, things change and then it becomes breathtaking. A friend of mine lives on a mountain about 1 1/2 hours drive from Cape Town and when I visit them, I seldom sleep at all when the weather is clear..

Kal - it is in my profile. I think I am too far from you...

Erick & Rocket Boy - yes, we are also grateful for rain in terms of agriculture & gardens. But as you point out quite correctly, why does it always have to coincide with the new moon?
In our case we also have to contend, very often with strong winds and fortunately the farm where we go for our dark sky outings often has a huge haystack well situated for us to hide behind, otherwise we would often pack up and leave very early.

Astronomy is an adventurous exercise...

Iceman, thanks for saying hello again. As I said, I've been around but very quiet... your problem might be to get me to shut up now

BTW as you might see from my signature, I also run another little international amateur astronomy community. It really is very small to IceinSpace, but it would be great to see some of you guys there at some stage. Has a bit of a family feel and there are many people from Northern America there so if you feel like it, come and have a look. I have a big thing about how astronomy unites us all where all kinds of other things fail or stumble...

[Grinz]

Hi Chris en goeiemore aan jou ook!

Next time you visit Cape Town, be sure to let me know. I love this place too, although I was not born a Capetonian. Where I live, I can see the whole of Table Mountain from my upstairs bedroom window, so I will say hello to it for you

[sheeny (Al)]

Originally Posted by Grinz

Sheeny - I'll never be an uncle *chuckle*, being of the female kind.

Whoooops!!!!
Sorry about that!



Al.