Imaging Session - Friday 19th August

Mike · Aug 15, 2011, 11:50:56

The next Imaging Session is this Friday at my house starting at 8pm.

For those of you that have not been before, this is an informal social night at my house which, if it is clear, turns into an Imaging Session in the garden. If that happens we will go outside and my kit will already be set up. Those that have brought their own kit will have a chance to set it up too. Then we will do some astrophotography and anyone interested can watch and learn.

If it's cloudy we stay indoors, drink tea, wine & beer, eat biscuits and have a chat. However, as of today (Monday) the weather forecast is looking promising with partly cloudy forecast. This will at least enable us to demonstrate the kit if not do any meaningful imaging.

Any member is welcome to come along. If you haven't been before but would like to then send me a private message and I will give you the address.

Mike

The Thing · Aug 15, 2011, 12:01:04

Gaps in clouds are good for a bit of planetary imaging! May bring my kit if the forecast stays promising.

Duncan

Mike · Aug 15, 2011, 12:03:39

That's a good idea. I'll dust off my old Philips SPC900 too.

Fay · Aug 15, 2011, 18:52:54

sorry Mike, I have visitors the weekend, so will not be able to attend

Mike · Aug 17, 2011, 09:30:32

The forecast is getting better. Right now it is saying Friday night will be clear

Mike · Aug 19, 2011, 07:20:17

Forecast is still saying clear

Should be a good session. See you later if you're coming.

Tony G · Aug 19, 2011, 15:39:56

Mike,

A couple of nice ISS passes tonight as well.

http://www.heavens-above.com/PassSummary.aspx?satid=25544&lat=51.37007&lng=0.11227&loc=Unspecified&alt=0&tz=CET

Tony G

Mike · Aug 19, 2011, 15:59:59

Got those, thanks Tony.

There is also a mag -1.0 Iridium Flare at 22:29:51

Rick · Aug 19, 2011, 18:38:01

Quote from: Tony G on Aug 19, 2011, 15:39:56A couple of nice ISS passes tonight as well.

Though for some reason it seems to be giving the times in UTC+2

Kylee · Aug 19, 2011, 19:06:19

Hi Mike

I'm still hoping to get to one of your evenings and tonight does look promising. I'm hoping to see a webcam in use...i've purchased one and as yet have not used it as I don't know where to start really so observing one in use would be good.
I have your address from a previous message so hopefully I will make it later. Do you like people to fetch anything with regards to drinks etc?

Cheers

Kylee.

The Thing · Aug 19, 2011, 19:23:17

The weather is looking very promising - putting my kit in the car!

Tony G · Aug 19, 2011, 19:45:15

Rick, (or anyone)

So what would this be in our time, so to speak.

Date     Mag    Starts     Max. altitude     Ends
Time     Alt.   Az.     Time   Alt.   Az.     Time   Alt.   Az.

19 Aug   -3.5   23:07:02   10   W    23:10:09   84   N    23:11:31   31   E

This always confuses me, and makes my head hurt.

Tony G

Tony G · Aug 19, 2011, 20:42:33

OK, I have just watch the ISS fly over, which was very clear, so basically just take an hour off the times stated.

My head is OK now.

Tony G

Rick · Aug 19, 2011, 23:06:31

Quote from: Tony G on Aug 19, 2011, 19:45:15This always confuses me, and makes my head hurt.

Mine too, especially when a site tries to guess what my timezone should be, and gets it wrong...

They should really give all times in UTC, always...

Mike · Aug 20, 2011, 08:43:52

Good session last night. 12 people turned up and it was clear till around midnight when the clouds started to roll in.

We saw the ISS twice and an Iridium flare also.

Orpington Astronomical Society

News: