Heads they win/tails I lose.....

[Kokatha man]

Sometimes you just can't seem to take a trick. After days (weeks) with lousy weather (wouldn't mind the clouds here in SA if they'd brought some badly needed rain) and tonight it finally cleared up for some beautifull skies - got everything set up and the flamin wind came up: gusts like it does here at Sellicks Beach off the Willunga Ranges just behind the coast. I'd reckon without the wind (which died for a few seconds occassionally for some great views) it would've been close to 8 out of 10 seeing: but when the winds really picked up everything looked like kids whizzing sparklers around. Oh well..!

What's it like elsewhere tonight?

[Ric]

Yep, sometimes the wind is just as annoying as the clouds. I sometimes ended up with images that look like I've been taking star trails.

Cheers

[sculptor]

Wind doesn't just produce star trails. Once up at Kings Tableland, the wind dumped a handful of fine gravel or coarse sand over the laptop. It got under the zero key, so I had to type 599 instead of 600 seconds. Easily fixed by pulling the key covers off and replacing them. But far better, it got into the 'lid closed' microswitch, so every time I touched the lid, the beast would go into or out of standby mode. Eventually I got brave enough to 'void the warranty', take it all apart, and get the grit out. (Still working a year later.)

One w

[omnivorr]

...been watchin' DOB prices fluctuate.. like the AUD.. and my budget ..and my scope hopes. <sigh>

Then a break in the weather!! "I know! ..I'll borrow Mudda's Kmart noccies!!"
--organised, await the night.... the clouds roll in.

methinks the gods be agin me.. &me wantin' to be gettin' a good look up their skirts ....think I'll go reread my 1930 print of "Stars of the Southern Heavens".... and study the April-May chart ... mebe browse some mythology tomes to p'haps appreciate the mnemonic functions of the constellations... and things like their navigational and seasonal significance... and suchlike ....too bad my aspect is severely limited to the southern quad of my meridean.. not much Greek or Roman reference to be found there.... mmm.. must Google.. I know I saw mention somewhere once of Aboriginal "astrology".. mmm.. Pacific island peoples navigating by the signs of the sea .. and the stars? plenty to fill the week.. forecast "showers".

this astrostuff is a game of patience.. a kinda 'zen'.. think I'll ceremonially go put the jug on
cya

[Kokatha man]

Struth Russ, your spiel's got me in some sort of astro-pirate dialect: methinks awhens ye get sick o' yer current charts I'da lends ye me own "A New Popular Atlas (epoch 1950) - Gall & Inglis 12 Newington Road, Edinburgh and 13 Henrietta Street, Strand, London W.C.2" - jests to keepa ye up to dates like.

Seriously though me hearty, it gaved me d'best chart to re's-aquaints meself wif octans et al and spike the SCP - much bedda dan jist 'bout all else! Som'un gave it to me when I wuz a young'un, a sorta comin' out pressie to help me backs on d' straight 'n narrow, rehabilitation like; get me's aways from dujon and his mates I'd met in that big house!

But blows me down matey, it warms d' cockles o' me 'eart to ahears ye agin - an' 'ows bout tinkin o a liddle piratin' of d' used stuff - justin to gets t' head above t' water, so's t' speak?

Nuttin like second hand provenance I'se allus says: 'n if yer can cut there jibs on da price, well, dat's there jolly roger!

Thar she blows, Darryl.

[omnivorr]

Darryl..'tis the booty I'll be lackin to get me a starglass, an extra month or so since my prefered option no longer available, but all to the good- I'll have the crisper nights then to start my adventure ..and meanwhile me hearty I be trimmin me sails n gettin shipshape.. an' perusin da charts...

I inherited a copy of "Norton's Star Atlas" (epoch 1950) Gall Inglis et al, as well.. but I find it a bit "dry" sofar... all dem RA DEC n suchlike..
whereas the "Stars of the Southern Heavens" is more of a primer ideally suited to the 'nudge'n'peek' of a beginning Dob'er such as I..
(less precision and pedantics, more romance adventure--more about the chill of the night air, the impact on one's own eyes and the thrill of direct "contact" with the awe of the universe.. less about "degrees Kelvin", "arc seconds",and suchlike barnacles to encrust me hull, matey! )

Mine is not 'the Seven Seas' to roam, but a pond to piddle-about in
...but WHAT a pond!! ...from a wee bit NW of zenith to the S horizon, and p'haps a smidgin to the E... plenty to see! a porthole in my below-decks existence! a portal to escape this earthly dungeon!

as for the pre-loved option 'tis not so convenient , nor 'guarantied'...and I'm no 'haggler' I'll do the wait-for-delivery like a kid counting the sleeps 'til Santa comes ...but I'll enjoy the toy more than the box it came in
besides..now I'm "forced" to get the "super deluxe" model (bang-for-the-buck-wise) there'll be more boxes to open )
...I just hafta be a good lil' pirate 'til then

Cheers
Russ

[Kokatha man]

Aye - I'se must confess yer right bout dem 'ticular books: 'n you bein poet and all - where's I'm more's a pretty pictures lubber: buts we's both seems to be the visceral types - gimme dem clear skies, an armada of mozzies 'n a strong sou-wester shivering me backside whilst I stoops meself over d' glass.

Well..... actually f#*@ the mozzies, sou-wester and the bloody stooping - take my advice Russ and get yourself an old office chair, even if it hasn't got a back, as long as the gas lift bit works. Something, anything; to park, perch or balance your butt on becomes an essential after half an hour or so!

Cheers, Darryl.

[omnivorr]

sage advice there Cap'n... me gammy back n all.. I'll hafta rig some kinda crowsnest.... aaaah dreams of observatory...

THUD

back to reality a warm coat and a range of stool-heights.. a thermos & painkillers

Cheers
Russ