Going to Renmark tomorrow....super dark skies and....

pgc hunter · #1 03-01-2010, 07:53 PM

.... no diagonal for my RFT, the grab n go Mak is out of collimation, the Vixen LVW's severly de-balance the 4.5" Newt...... and wait for it...

FULL MOOON !!!!!

Well, it seems I'll get 1 to 1.5 hours of darkness for each of the next 4 nights I'm there. My only real option is using my 4.5" newt with a couple of plossls I have lying around, hardly widefield viewing but should provide some great views nonetheless with the TV 32mm plossl which'll give almost 2º fov

ngcles · #2 04-01-2010, 12:59 AM

Hi PGC,

Have been there and the (moonless) sky is very, very dark.

Have a good time and I hope it stays clear fou you.

Best,

Les D

Ric · #3 04-01-2010, 01:07 AM

Have a great trip, I'll be looking forward to the observation reports.

Kevnool (Kev) · #4 04-01-2010, 10:48 AM

Will be going through Renmark on wednesday morning at about 4.00 am on the way to Adelaide, Whilst i wont observe the only reason i,m going through there at that time is to get my car serviced at 7.30 .

For me to keep my warranty i have to travel 1000 klm.s to get the services done.

Thats what happens when you buy a car interstate.

Cheers Kev.

pgc hunter · #5 08-01-2010, 08:42 PM

As per Usual, on my 3rd trip there, the skies have been crystal clear for all 4 days and nights.

Infact I DID NOT SEE A SINGLE CLOUD for the ENTIRE TIME!!!!1

NOT ONE SINGLE SPECK OF CLOUD FOR 4 STRAIGHT DAYS AND NIGHTS! And not to mention it's WARM!!!! I was out in shirt and shorts until atleast midnight each night.

As we drove back towards Melbourne, the cloud began to thicken

I took the 4.5" reflector, did some observations and will be posting my report soon. The skies are extremely dark. We hired a houseboat and took that about 50km upstream, unbelievable skies.

Unfortunately, I am now back in cold and cloudy Melbourne

Looking at the weather obs, some very pathetic cold days here during my stay up north, but there it was 35-38 each day and still around 24-25 at midnight.

Only problem is the bugs and mozzies....holy crap you've never seen an insect plague like this!!!

I now hate Melbourne's perpetual nuclear winter, never ending clouds and pathetic lacklusture summers with even more raw unalderated passion

Ric · #6 11-01-2010, 10:16 AM

Good to see you had great viewing conditions even if the bug were a bit pesky.

Cheers

pgc hunter · #7 11-01-2010, 10:28 AM

Bugs were insane...if you leave the light on inside, the flyscreen is literally covered.

The mosquito's came in plague proportions, it was ridiculous, but it was far too warm to wear long pants andd a sweater so I had to endure the constant stinging....

but it was all worth it to witness my 4.5" outperform my 12"

Ric · #8 11-01-2010, 10:36 AM

We've got the annual Christmas Beetle invasion at the moment.

Any sort of white light and they swarm in like B52 bombers. Usually the first job of the morning is to sweep them on the verandah where they are all stuck on their backs and can't turn over, they aren't very bright.

Cheers

pgc hunter · #9 11-01-2010, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric

We've got the annual Christmas Beetle invasion at the moment.

Any sort of white light and they swarm in like B52 bombers. Usually the first job of the morning is to sweep them on the verandah where they are all stuck on their backs and can't turn over, they aren't very bright.

Cheers

Flicked away a few beetles last night, but there was worse.

A freaking ENORMOUS rat or rat-like creature jumped up on my fence, and when I shone my red light on it to get a better look at this creature, I saw its two glowing red eyes staring back at me.....scared me half to death.