Orpington Astronomical Society

Society => Announcements, Meetings, Events => Topic started by: mickw on Jul 27, 2011, 13:51:31

Title: August DSC
Post by: mickw on Jul 27, 2011, 13:51:31
According to Jackie at RV, only me and Fay are going which means we have  2 pitches  :o

If you intend going.....................

BOOK UP, even a phone call would help

It is the school holidays and the weather is looking OK (not necessarily astronomically OK) - people are making bookings
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: Carole on Jul 27, 2011, 23:28:55
Just got back from holiday today, unfortunately I don't think I'll be able to get myself organised for this one, it's been a hectic two weeks and am looking forward to a few days rest. 

Carole
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: Mike on Jul 28, 2011, 08:47:34
I'm booked.

Saturday night is looking quite promising at the moment.
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: mickw on Jul 29, 2011, 10:22:02
Arrived around 11 last night, fairly clear at zenith but North was a mess.
Very dewy and misty - mist even hid the trees by the entrance at one stage.

Fay quit about 1:00, I didn't set up so went to bed  :)

Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: MarkS on Jul 29, 2011, 11:08:11

I arrived home at 11:45pm last night and there was indeed a lot of low level murk.  But above the murk the Milky Way was looking reasonably good stretching across the sky.

Mark
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: MarkS on Jul 29, 2011, 20:26:14

I'll drink a Pastis tonight and think of you folk at DSC!!

Mark
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: mickw on Jul 29, 2011, 21:12:37
I think all we'll be doing tonight is drinking  :D :( :D :(

Cloudy with clouds later
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: MarkS on Jul 29, 2011, 21:17:40

I'll be forced to count glow worms ...
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: MarkS on Jul 29, 2011, 23:40:41
11

Sunday night was 19

Record (last new moon) was 30
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: mickw on Jul 30, 2011, 10:09:24
The reason the numbers are falling is that they kept trying to mate with all the LEDs and Lasers  :lol:
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: Mike on Jul 30, 2011, 10:47:51
Last night by 11pm it was still cloudy so the three of us (Mick, Fay and I) went to bed. However, I woke up at about 3am as I needed a pee and it was freezing cold. I guess right away the sky was clear and indeed when I stepped outside it was perfectly clear with a very bright Jupiter over the trees.

Tonight's forecast is looking really good at the moment so those of you that are coming down today should have a good imaging night.

Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: The Thing on Jul 30, 2011, 12:01:35
Damnation, I knew I should have come down for the one night. I spent Friday afternoon setting up my optical train for imaging Jupiter,
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: mickw on Jul 30, 2011, 16:50:37
You have a train ? :o

We have one at RV - a proper one  :lol:
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: Rocket Pooch on Jul 30, 2011, 16:56:39
Quote from: Mike on Jul 30, 2011, 10:47:51
Last night by 11pm it was still cloudy so the three of us (Mick, Fay and I) went to bed.

Blimey what you three up to!
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: MarkS on Jul 30, 2011, 18:54:03

Agreed.  I don't think a train is a stable enough platform for planetary imaging.

Mark
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: The Thing on Jul 30, 2011, 19:29:12
Quote from: MarkS on Jul 30, 2011, 18:54:03
Agreed.  I don't think a train is a stable enough platform for planetary imaging.
Neither is a bed with three people in it!
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: MarkS on Jul 31, 2011, 09:14:47

Did you do any imaging last night? 
The sky looked quite reasonable from here.

Mark
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: mickw on Jul 31, 2011, 10:47:37
Sky was good and yes, imaging was accomplished, watch this space  8)

Had a  visit from Doug, Rose and John during the day and early evening

Me, Fay, Mike, Alan and Robert stayed for the duration.

First time that RV has actually been full and we attracted a large number of "interested parties", no idea how many, I only remember the really annoying one.
Mike Announced the Iridium Flare predicted at 22:22 through Cassiopia -  The crowd went wild.

Went to bed around 2:30 - On my own !
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: mickw on Jul 31, 2011, 16:46:42
Took the Society Coronado this weekend for the first time, very good, saw spots, filaments etc.
Even tried some imaging but a certain party had not bothered to properly align the mount  :oops:

Everybody who had a look enjoyed it including members of the public
I think it would be good to have this available for DSC's, where several people get an opportunity to observe the sun over the weekend
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: Mike on Jul 31, 2011, 16:53:17
Agreed, it should be at every DSC.

There was lots of activity on the sun this weekend with lots of filaments and sunspots. It looked really good through the Coronado.
Title: Re: August DSC
Post by: Fay on Aug 02, 2011, 12:27:12
Large van at DSC. This is the home of a man & his wife & 4 cats, hanging baskets, Sky TV.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6010/6001671492_5d665f91a8_b.jpg)


(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6025/6001836047_b050af8af3_b.jpg)

taken with Blackberry