Next DSC will be held at BLACKLANDS between Friday March 12th and Monday March 15th. No need to book (unless you want a hook-up), just turn up.
http://www.blacklandsfarm.co.uk/
Blacklands Farm Campsite
Wheatsheaf Road (B2116)
Henfield
West Sussex
BN5 9AT
Tel: (01273) 493528
Only 2 weeks now. So... Who is going to this one at Blacklands?
Me, just waiting for one of these -
(http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/photo/10529779/9373e730553b147bba81a8b28b7e20fa/10529779_1.jpg)
That's really funny Mick!
Yep, I'm planning to go.
Mark
I'll be going, but may not be for the full duration.
Mick, I'll have a look in my collection of tents, as I'm sure I have something similar to what your after, but if I haven't, then I may order one to add to the others. ;)
Tony G
Looking forward to seeing you put that away afterwards Mick. Maybe Mike can make a video and from his wealth of temporary shelter decommissioning experience, Tony can shout encouragement at you.
QuoteTony can shout encouragement at you
Nobody's ever encouraged me before :cry:
Don't worry, I'll make you proud :lol:
OK a bit premature but........................
The worst weather forecast for the week leading up to DSC is cloudy :)
Better get some beer in :lol:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/15m-Electric-ORANGE-HOOK-UP-CABLE-Camping-Caravan-Tent_W0QQitemZ350255124097QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=&rvr_id=&cguid=d029a77c1210a0e204423c62fe150dc0
is this hookup cable ok? Thanks
Err.. No. Unless you like to be electrocuted. There are no RCD's built into it which is kinda essential when you have a cable trailing in rain and where vehicles and people may cross.
Quoteis this hookup cable ok?
There are alternatives.
Do you have an extension lead with an RCD plug on it that you use in the garden anyway ?
If yes, you could plug the ebay one into the camp outlet and have the sockets inside your tent. Then plug your RCD lead into it to serve outside and your mount etc.
If you haven't got one, something like this would be handy -
Toolstation (http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Electrical/Extension+Leads+RCDs/Cable+Reel+RCD+4+Way+13amp+x+25m/d190/sd2470/p94537)
or
Screwfix (http://www.screwfix.com/prods/92372/Electrical-Supplies/Cable-Reels-Leads/Cable-Reels/Masterplug-Cable-Reel-RCD-4G-240V-25m)
*Edit - or just one of these and fit it to your existing extension cable
You would still need the hookup cable as well though*http://www.screwfix.com/prods/44855/Electrical-Supplies/RCDs/Masterplug-RCD-Plug (http://www.screwfix.com/prods/44855/Electrical-Supplies/RCDs/Masterplug-RCD-Plug)
There is a chance the campsite has RCD controlled hookups anyway - I'll check
:o
I cant go to this one, as im involved in a huge change over on the Fri Sat & Sun, bit of a pain actually.
Mac.
Not sure, depends on the weather, can't face another cold weekend like the last one. Also Mac currently has my laptop he's doing me a partitioned XP conversion on my Vista Laptop and as he's away next week I don't know when I will get it back.
If it's not too cold I might just come down to observe.
CArole
Will be there.
yes
Just rang Blacklands - They're open and sounds like it's dried out OK (in most places)
Quote from: mickw
Just rang Blacklands - They're open and sounds like it's dried out OK (in most places)
Excellent! I'm looking forward to it!
I'm looking forward to it as well, glad to hear the ground isn't a mud bath AND the weather looks more favourable (for camping at least).
At the moment though I have a terrible streaming cold. I hope I am over it properly by the weekend or I might have to pass.
Just had a look at the weather............
Not as warm and sunny as I'd hoped :(
Still 2 1/2 days to go before commit o'clock
You big wuss. And the only one of us with a mobile home - sheesh!!
:P
Forecast for the weekend is saying a very low chance of rain and reasonably clear skies. Plus it hasn't rained for a while so the field should be pretty dry.
I'm not going to be able to make this, as I've just started a new contract.
If anyone wants to take the mintron, please let me know...
I'll be down on Saturday.
Mr Chairman, should you not be showing the rest of the society an example by attending the official DSC, like the last chairman. ;)
Tony G
Ian, yes please. Are you at home during the day tomorrow?
Tony, wherever possible, I'm taking Jim's lead. Except where he did something, in which case I'm up for a change :)
Mike, no I'm afraid. I'm around from about 18:30 or so.
In that case are you in London?
I don't know how e did it, but Duncan has given me his cold - We shall have to have words :evil:
Usual stuff, coughing, sneezing, can't taste anything and feeling like crap.
So barring miracle cures I'll be absent this weekend :(
I've even got the van loaded.
A fine start for the new observing officer :oops:
There's a lot of it about. I am just getting over my cold Mick, it won't last forever, it will just seem like it. Keep wrapped up and have plenty of warm beer drinks.
So now Mick will not be blazing the trail, this weekend, who is going down Friday & what time, please ?
Quoteit won't last forever
Of course it won't, especially if you pass it on to some other poor bugger ;)
I really must be poorly, I don't even fancy a beer :o
Now I'm really worried! :cry:
You are going to miss DSC becuase of a COLD !! What are you going to do at home that you can't do at DSC?
You're an even bigger wuss than I thought!! :roll:
Looks like I may get there first then - around 7:30pm.
Mark
Not sure when i'll get down. Depends when I can get away from work. If I can i'd like to get down there before it gets dark.
I am having a bad day today.
As no one is going to DSC until late friday, I may go from Saturday. I asked the campercan place about a van for two nights & have been informed, he did not realise I wanted it that early & there would be no one there on saturday!!!!! :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:
I had already told him it was for this weekend.
No. 2. Have not received RDF from you know where. She told me it had been posted on tuesday, & that the one they sent before was the correct one!!! Even though it did not fit the DSLR shoe & it was an entirely different design to the picture on their site!!
They are sending it out today, even though I was told it was sent tuesday. My postage refund of £5,40 will take up to 30 days to refund, so if they send the wrong one again, & that has to go back, I will wait another 30 days for that to be refunded. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:Give me strength!!
Fay,
I will be there tomorrow from midday. I dropped the van off there today and have reserved the corner for us.
Chris
Oh will think about that then Chris, as long as it is not too cold for the tent. Also I would like a hookup for using with equipment & fan heater, will that be possible? I have not got a hookup cable for this time. Would I be able to work it, Chris?
QuoteI have not got a hookup cable for this time.
Fay as im not going this weekend, do you want to borrow my one?
You'll have to pop by to pick it up though, as we've got viewings tomorrow and im babysitting all afternoon.
Mac.
I think if you put an extension through the caravan it might go pop, it only has 6 amp fuses and my heating will be on. But there is noone there at the moment other than the people who are there most of the year.
Hey the weather looks ok this weekend as well Sunday night looks really good.
Chris
What's an RDF?
I'm now hoping to be there before dark on Friday. Cold has gone, my tent pole has been epoxied and the weather is looking up.
Red Dot Finder. Don't you know anything! :lol:
Quote from: Duncan
Red Dot Finder. Don't you know anything! :lol:
Clearly not!
I was working backwards from the DSLR. Since it fitted a DSLR shoe it must be a Flash. But then what is R & D? R is probably Remote. D for digital? Remote Digital Flash?
Fay doing some creative DSC photography?
Not sure if I am coming yet. Have rung campervan again to say, ok, will someone be there tomorrow for a van pickup, instead of saturday. He said he does not know if he can get one ready & will ring me back, has not rung yet.
If i come, I could go to that camping place, Mike said, was at Lower Beeding & get a cable.
Thanks for the offer, Mac, but I am a bit stressed at the moment, & am on overload!
Fay is this the RDF you're talking about -
Pulsar F'in Optical (http://www.pulsar-optical.co.uk/prod/finder/universal-finder-mounting-shoe/hotshoe-rd-finder.html)
If it is, that bent plate looks like it can be altered pretty easily, if need be, to make it fit the camera.
Yes, Mick, the shoe would have to have a bit chopped off, no big problem.
The point is, they sent only the screws first, then a different RDF, then insist it was the same as the site, cracks me up, then said they had sent another one on monday & have not etc etc etc
Quote from: Mike on Mar 10, 2010, 20:39:42
In that case are you in London?
Sorry Mike, yes I was, but the camera wasn't...
I'm in this evening or I might be able to get it Mark.
Quote from: Ian
I'm in this evening or I might be able to get it Mark.
Sure - drop it round and I'll happily take it along to DSC.
Mark
Have you noticed the price increase?
30% !!!
Last season it was £5/person now it is £6.50/person.
:surprised:
Quote from: MarkS on Mar 11, 2010, 22:07:14
Have you noticed the price increase?
30% !!!
Last season it was £5/person now it is £6.50/person.
But have you realised, if you
DON'T go, you save
30% on last years prices............ ;)
Tony G
Looking at the rain, I will come down early saturday
What rain?
The scattered showers that will gradually die away this evening (according to the Met Office)
Mark
well putting that tent up in the rain, is daunting. Heavy showers this afternoon
Mike, as we are not renting a field exclusively for OAS, is there still a charge for day trippers?
No
Report from the first to arrive please.
Hi All, won't be there 'til the morning. Nephew's 18th bash wot I forgot (never have been able to remember the 9 nieces and nephews birthdays). All off to Hard Rock Café tonight. Enjoy the showers.
One other note, Camping International have closed their shop at Lower Beeding, went to the Gillingham branch this AM to get replacement tent poles and a warm sleeping bag (plus a load of other stuff).
I'm running later than planned but will be there today. I guess I'll be down around 7.30pm.
How's it going ?
Great!!
We have Fay, Chris, Rachel, Duncan, Tony, John, Mark, Cris and I as well as Julian from Crayford Astronomical Society. Paul is on his way.
It's cloudy/sunny right now and we have been looking at the sun through gaps in the clouds and everyone is setting their gear up in anticipation for a clear night tonight.
Excellent, any images of the sun ?
Wish I was there but still feel like crap - at least there's 10 of you that won't get infected by me.
I hope Marks got enough of the weird French stuff ;)
Scott of the Antarctic eating beans and sausages
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-icIdqOL4DM/S5vpsxgNp6I/AAAAAAAAALs/WMp9XeYV_EE/s640/Mark.jpg)
Everyone sitting around a roaring fire
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_-icIdqOL4DM/S5vptMdjsoI/AAAAAAAAALw/0WDJK1SAotU/s640/campfire.jpg)
wheres the mud? 8)
No mud :D
This is us right now (22:00) sat in the field keeping warm around, believe it or not, an electric halogen heater :-
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_-icIdqOL4DM/S5wLiNCAuUI/AAAAAAAAAL4/x0OMPJqQpOI/s640/electricfire.jpg)
I'm only ever going camping with an electric halogen heater from now on. I'ts much safer for me than a naked flame ;-)
Any clear skies and imaging happen last night ?
Like the halogen heater idea, what wattage is it?
Robert
That weird French stuff looks dangerously close to a heat source :-?
DSC is dangerous enough without electric fires and exploding bottles, please try to act responsibly in future :roll:
Any imaging done over the weekend ?
QuoteI'm only ever going camping with an electric halogen heater from now on.
the only side effect of said heater is the light pollution it produces,
You might want to go for a small ceramic one like mine. (2kw)
I don't think much imaging went on as it was patchy cloud. It is a glorious sunny day today so we are now out doing some solar observing. The forecast for tonight looks the best.
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-icIdqOL4DM/S5y9Sd4ShLI/AAAAAAAAAMA/hEVBC8C2Bfo/s512/solar.jpg)
Quote from: mickw on Mar 14, 2010, 08:58:34
That weird French stuff looks dangerously close to a heat source :-?
It had turned to slush due to the low temperature so Mark was warming it up. A fair bit of it was poured into the fire bucket for dramatic effect. It's surprisingly flammable.
Quotepoured into the fire bucket for dramatic effect
Aha, the old "Booze in a fire bucket effect" - and I missed it :(
Did you know that this experiment can actually make people disappear ? - well fire buckets anyway :twisted:
Mick - Do you realise that this is the first EVER Deep Sky Camp that has NOT been attended by the Observing Officer ?
No, hadn't realised that, so it's pretty rare then............................
Note to self - cut mikes brake lines :evil:
You've broken a long tradition. You do realise that is 3 years bad luck?
So.... For the 4 of you that stayed over last night.. How was it? Did you get any images ?
Quote3 years bad luck
Would that run concurrently with my existing "luck" or consecutively :-?
Last night (Sunday) turned out to be a stonker. Apart from a brief cloudy interlude I managed to do 15 x 360s Cone Nebula/Xmas Tree cluster (Fay was doing this as well), 20x360s M65 & M66 (couldn't fit the Trio in my FoV (wasn't using a reducer) AND 7 x 360s NGC 3682, the third member of the trio and remembered to do some darks. I got two hours shuteye during the M66-M65 interlude and finally gave up at 4:00am though Julian the CrayfordAS interloper (nice guy, may defect), kept going all the way through until about 5:00!
And the rest of you missed it!
Great :D Can't wait to see these images.
also the 1st DSC where someone ended up in hospital for most of today, but the selection of pills I have should make me better. I'm gutted, its was brilliant last night.
Thanks for putting my scope in the awning folks.
What happened ?
Trench foot :cheesy:
Cant be that there was no rain. ;)
Mac.
Sorry to hear that you were really unwell, Chris. Hope you get better very soon.
Rose. And Doug.
I'm more worried about John as he spent the night in a tent together with Tony G. They both left very early the next day and someone said John was "walking a bit funny".
That must have been the result of the weird red stuff, Mike.
No I don't think it was anything he took orally.
Didn't Delphine end up in hospital once when we were at Headcorn?
Dorry to hear you were ill Chris, and lets hope John is OK.
Sounds a fantastic night on Sunday.
Well, John wanted to leave early as all he wanted was some Mint Sauce for breakfast, for whatever reason. But I felt very uneasy, as he was doing was humming 'Mary had a little Lamb' and 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' all the way home, staring............just staring, straight ahead.
Still he had his Mint Sauce, but I had my Full English. :D
Great weekend (the bit I was there for) and some images with the Canon 350d to process (sort of) which I'll post.
Tony G
PS..........................Mark, you no longer have a monopoly on ISS images. So watch this Space. :o (pardon the pun)
Chris, glad to hear you are still alive after visiting a hospital.
We couldn't leave your scope in the field for any of the pikeys other caravaners to take a fancy to. And it wouldn't fit in the car. Julian, the Crayford AS man, who you may recall between sleep and coughing your guts up, had a big hand in moving your scope 'cos I said he couldn't have his cider back unless he did the donkey work. At least no sheep were harmed.
Get well.
Duncan having breakfast
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2712/4441318070_ffb25a070b_b.jpg)
Julian at his base camp
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/4441317032_23f61f5ed6_o.jpg)
His telescope has more headroom than Julian has ;)
Has Julian joined the OAS yet? Is he on the forum?
I don't think so, but is coming to the meeting tomorrow
Just found this of Duncan. Taken with Canon modified, cls filter Leitz lens, so bit pink
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4019/4505449372_91a6f98187_b.jpg)
QuoteJust found this of Duncan. Taken with Canon modified, cls filter Leitz lens, so bit pink
If you take a custom white balance before you start you can loose the pinkness.
Mac.
Thanks Mac, I have now got an adaptor which will allow me to put my 2" X Nite filter on the front of the Leitz for normal photography with the Canon
Robert wanted some pics of my tent but I've lost all of the images from DSC. I think I had a corrupt memory card. Anyway, i've found some on the net so here goes :-
(http://www.earthshineelectronics.com/Images/Screen%20shot%202010-04-12%20at%2022.42.19.png)
(http://www.earthshineelectronics.com/Images/Screen%20shot%202010-04-12%20at%2022.42.28.png)
(http://www.earthshineelectronics.com/Images/Screen%20shot%202010-04-12%20at%2022.42.39.png)