The next DSC is 2nd to 5th August. It is a Bank Holiday weekend so we have one extra night.
Leon at Blacklands has advised to book up as soon as possible if you want a hook-up as they are going fast.
If anyone has a splitter cable it would be appreciated, even if you're not going if we could borrow it please.
Thanks,
Mike
I've booked with hook up. Not sure if I can stop until Monday as my husband will be away and no-one to look after the dog, depends if I can get some-one to keep an eye on her. I'd bring her with me but don't think she would like to be tethered.
Carole
QuoteIf anyone has a splitter cable it would be appreciated, even if you're not going if we could borrow it please.
I don't think they are very expensive, could this be something the OAS could buy from the Equipment fund?
Will you be taking the event shelter?
Carole
QuoteIt is a Bank Holiday weekend so we have one extra night
Er, only if you're in Scotland :(
This is probably about the best opportunity for me to come along with my littlun also with it being school holidays. I'd not be looking at the whole weekend. (I would get hung drawn and quartered!) So probably just one night.
Is it a bank holiday? Thought that was at the end of August?
Make sure you bring your HEQ5 with you then Les and some-one can show you how to set it up.
Carole
Not a Bank holiday down this way lovey!!!!
I'm booking up now...save a space if you lot get there before me :lol:
Quote from: mickw on Jul 22, 2013, 14:43:22
QuoteIt is a Bank Holiday weekend so we have one extra night
Er, only if you're in Scotland :(
Oh bo****ks so it is. Oh well, 2nd to 4th then.
Uk camp site 1st week of the summer holidays, make sure you have beer...
Yeah it's unlikely to be conducive to astronomy but i'm sure it will be fun all the same.
Rose and I have booked a pitch with electric hook up and we are going down early Friday morning .... we hope. Do you reckon it`s going to be `ot like it is now???
Doug.
Crikey! I can't remember the last time you guys actually camped over. Good on you.
No guarantee of the weather of course. It's been very changeable this week for example and forecasts have been wrong on occasion.
I'm hoping to come along for Friday night, to confirm it's this place http://www.blacklandsfarm.co.uk/ (http://www.blacklandsfarm.co.uk/) Not the girl guide campsite
Ivor yes that's the place. It sounds like Doug and Rose will be the first ones there so when you arrive head over to where they are (presuming there is a space by their tent). It is going to be a busy weekend so the earlier you can get there the better chance you have of getting a spot near everyone else.
However, even if you can't get a tent pitch near everyone else there is nothing stopping everyone putting their scopes on one area. Just bring a long extension lead in case it's needed. Don't forget the EHU camping cable (and splitter if you have one).
Thankfully Leon doesn't have any silly rules about where you can pitch the tent so you can pretty much put it anywhere.
Quote from: Carole on Jul 22, 2013, 13:44:46
I've booked with hook up. Not sure if I can stop until Monday as my husband will be away and no-one to look after the dog, depends if I can get some-one to keep an eye on her. I'd bring her with me but don't think she would like to be tethered.
Carole, wrap it up tightly in cling film and put it in the freezer. When you get home you can put it in the microwave on the defrost setting.
That's what I do with my cats.
:lol: :lol:
can't make it as will be on holiday.
Julian
Another reminder of the DSC this weekend. it is early days but the forecast doesn't look too bad so far.
again, a reminder to book up on the Blacklands Farm Campsite website prior to turning up or you may not be able to get an electric hook-up.
Mike
Quote from: Mike on Jul 29, 2013, 13:15:12
Another reminder of the DSC this weekend. it is early days but the forecast doesn't look too bad so far.
again, a reminder to book up on the Blacklands Farm Campsite website prior to turning up or you may not be able to get an electric hook-up.
Mike
There were no hook ups left on Friday Mike.
http://www.campinghavens.co.uk/blacklands-availability/month.php
Yeah that's why I said on the 22nd to book up asap.
If you bring a long extension lead then you can plug into someone else's power for your scope.
See ya there :)
Just to let you know even though it has tipped it down for a couple of nights at the weekend the ground around here is still bone dry. The local forecast is good for Friday and the weekend as well. But its going to be HOT!
It was last time too....mustn't grumble though! :)
A couple of practical queries so I know what to pack.
Are we camping at the southern end of the field again which means we're up against the trees? I am asking so I can decide on target, and which scope and camera, and also whether we will get any shade from the trees as only bringing my little pop up tent.
If there's no shade, are we having the event shelter? If not I might need to consider bringing my gazebo which is currently erected in the garden.
Carole
Coordinates for the site:
Latitude: 50 : 56 : 57.6384
Longitude: -0 : 15 : 2.6382
(At least it is on my spot!) lol
http://itouchmap.com/latlong.html
Soz if already posted.... but just found it and think it will be useful
Carole - It's going to be a busy weekend so we will just have to go wherever there is a free spot. I would advise getting down as early as possible.
I can bring the communal shelter along as long as everyone is willing to chip in for the fee as Blacklands will charge.
I think it might be needed. I'd be happy to chip in.
Carole
Quote from: Carole on Aug 01, 2013, 10:19:08
I think it might be needed. I'd be happy to chip in.
Carole
But it's going to be clear skies all weekend! :)
Lol.... Happy to chip in.......
I was thinking of shelter from the Sun Les.
Carole
Quote from: Carole on Aug 01, 2013, 12:13:13
I was thinking of shelter from the Sun Les.
Carole
Solar images will never work! :lol:
Carole.... I managed to sort out live view. Haven't found the disc (I expect it's in the loft, but I'm sure I saw it quite recently.) Anyway, I phone canon and it's available for download. (I did look - but it comes under canon utilities, not specifically as live view.)
So hopefully the laptop will arrive in time tomorrow, but if not, I do at least have a fall back I can use.
But..... I'm struggling with some red perspex. I have something I can probably get away with, I'm not 100% sure.
Don't suppose anyone might have a red sheet for a 15.6" laptop or know where I can got one that I can get today or tomorrow without costing a fortune?
You can also use Red cellophane if you can find it as a temporary measure.
Les it's not the live view you need to download, it's the Canon Utility drivers otherwise your camera won't connect.
Don't know how you have managed to get live view to work without.
I've got a piece of red perspex (or at least it used to be one piece but now it's cut in half) which if you can manage to join it up the middle might be better than nothing and you'll have to cover up any bits it doesn't cover. It measures 15" diagonally with the two bits put together.
Carole
Quote from: Carole on Aug 01, 2013, 16:03:16
You can also use Red cellophane if you can find it as a temporary measure.
Les it's not the live view you need to download, it's the Canon Utility drivers otherwise your camera won't connect.
Don't know how you have managed to get live view to work without.
I've got a piece of red perspex (or at least it used to be one piece now it's cut in half) which if you can manage to join it up the middle might be better than nothing and you'll have to cover up any bits it doesn't cover. It measures 15" diagonally.
Carole
Yeh, it is canon utility. All I was saying was that I was just looking for a download called canon live. I've never had it working..... I never knew it was possible!
Yes please to cellophane. I do have something similar, but I'm not 100% certain.
It's perspex I've got Les, in two halves. Bring some tape so you can stick it to your (new :cheesy: :cheesy:) laptop or bring some splints or something 2 x 12" long (ish) to splint the two pieces together with tape. (i.e. some thin strips of metal or wood should do the trick, even very stiff cardboard.
Now anything more and I'll have to start charging for hire!!! :cheesy: :cheesy: :lol: :lol:
Telescope,
spacers and flattener
Canon Utility discs??
Perspex
Solar filters
Carole
BTW Les, my long dovetail bar has arrived and so I'll be able to use the WO scope, so I'll bring the ED80 for you to borrow.
Carole
Quote from: Carole on Aug 01, 2013, 16:18:41
BTW Les, my long dovetail bar has arrived and so I'll be able to use the WO scope, so I'll bring the ED80 for you to borrow.
Carole
That's very much appreciated Carole.
With luck I've sorted the Perspex, though it's a bit flimsy. (it's a big sheet about 30" square that I will need to cut to size and possibly stick to a stronger clear Perspex then we're cooking.
Bahtinov is here in it's pizza box with its bolts to hold in place.
Canon utilities installed and live running.
I'm almost there with the holder for the solar filter. I've used the bottom of a bucket. It fits like a glove, but just need to work out how to cut a perfect circle in the bottom. I think it should end up very good though and zero chance it can fall off.
Quote from: Mike on Aug 01, 2013, 08:23:10
Carole - It's going to be a busy weekend so we will just have to go wherever there is a free spot. I would advise getting down as early as possible.
I can bring the communal shelter along as long as everyone is willing to chip in for the fee as Blacklands will charge.
What time is early?
I'm off for the day, so can arrive anytime...... But pointless getting there too early.
As early as you like Les. As far as I am aware Doug and Rose are already packed and are going to set off in the morning to secure a spot so go whenever you like and join them. It personally takes me no more than 50 mins to get to the camp site from Orpington and it's a very straightforward route down there. If you can beat the families that will no doubt ascend on the field then all the better.
So who is coming?
Mike & Petra
Les and Son
Carole
Kylee
Rose and Doug
Ivor
Any-one else?
Carole
Alas I can't now, I got dumped with something at work last night and I won't finish until it's too late. I hope you have a good weather and a lack of lights from the other campers.
Quote from: Mike on Aug 01, 2013, 22:44:55
As early as you like Les. As far as I am aware Doug and Rose are already packed and are going to set off in the morning to secure a spot so go whenever you like and join them. It personally takes me no more than 50 mins to get to the camp site from Orpington and it's a very straightforward route down there. If you can beat the families that will no doubt ascend on the field then all the better.
ok I will leave about midday.... but need to stop in edenbridge first....
in the meantime.... its thunder and lightening here!
Quote from: Les R on Aug 02, 2013, 07:23:14in the meantime.... its thunder and lightening here!
Yeah, www.blitzortung.org is showing a couple of lines of lightning over the south-east.
It will only be for the next hour or so then it will stop. Rest of the day will be cloudy. Tomorrow is forecast to be a nice sunny day with a clear night.
Mike
Quote from: Rick on Aug 02, 2013, 08:56:34
Quote from: Les R on Aug 02, 2013, 07:23:14in the meantime.... its thunder and lightening here!
Yeah, www.blitzortung.org is showing a couple of lines of lightning over the south-east.
Aaaaaaargghhhhhhhhhh :o
Must unplug everything :(
Yeah might be an idea Mick.
We are just watching a huge thunderstorm off to the west and heading roughly our way.
A fairly heavy thunderstorm has just arrived here in Orpington...
How are you all? Did you get the thunderstorm last night?
Delphine
We had an epic thunderstorm last night and very heavy rain. However, it is nice and sunny and everything is already dry.
We are looking through the solar scope at the moment at a fairly active sun.
The forecast for tonight is looking really good so far.
That must have been scary! Hope you have clear skies tonight.
Delphine
Quote from: Delphine on Aug 03, 2013, 12:11:37
That must have been scary! Hope you have clear skies tonight.
Delphine
Well it's been clear skies this afternoon..... Toms first image on the neximage.
(http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/6302/14gi.jpg)
Wow! super image, fantastic detail.
My weather forecast says clear skies this evening.
Delphine
Quote from: Delphine on Aug 03, 2013, 19:18:04
Wow! super image, fantastic detail.
My weather forecast says clear skies this evening.
Delphine
It is so far! Probably 98% cloud free.
Well the skies conditions look like they will be great.
All we need to contend with now are the planes from Gatwick, the smoke from the BBQs, the lights from the megawatt torches, fairy lights over all the tents and annoying people with the same question over and over "Are you here to look at anything special tonight?".
Time to open a beer.
Mike,
Make up something that could possibly pass directly overhead like a Large Meteor which only missed the moon a few days ago and tell them they have to be watching between 9.00pm and 4,30am but that it could pass at any time that way they'll all be knackered tomorrow while you have the day solar watching. :twisted:
Les tell Tom what a great image as well. ;)
Tony G
Ha Ha Funny Mike. Who is Tom?
Quote from: Mike
All we need to contend with now are the planes from Gatwick, the smoke from the BBQs, the lights from the megawatt torches, fairy lights over all the tents and annoying people with the same question over and over "Are you here to look at anything special tonight?".
It was never like that at Tuesnoad ...
It's certainly clear tonight - with the naked eye I can see the Milky Way down to 15deg above the horizon here at High Halden.
I spent the day digging a trench, laying an armoured cable for the electric supply and filling the trench back in. Plus I laid a spare tube to run a cable for a possible future data connection.
Who's Tom? It's a great solar image!
It's amazingly clear in Beckenham. I can see M31 naked eye. Did you see the ISS going west to east about 20 minutes ago, followed by a lovely orange meteor. And I'm imaging the Eastern Veil. First time I've had a go at it. Shame I couldn't make it to DSC but I had to work today... Still no smoke and fairy lights here!
Quote from: Fay on Aug 03, 2013, 23:18:21Who is Tom?
Quote from: MarkSWho's Tom? It's a great solar image!
Meet Tom...
(http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/1367/7moa.jpg)
Well that was a very enjoyable weekend, despite a whole series of technical issues that plagued me.
However, I set my Nikon with 10.5mm fisheye up to do a series of 30 second exposures whilst I was imaging as everyone kept shouting "Oooohh!!" as another Perseid shot over (must have been well over 30). Anyway, I only managed to capture one and here it is:
(https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/25623517/20130803Perseid.jpg)
well done Mike
A couple of great images, the crowds didn't get in the way too much then. I really like the meteor shot Mike. I don't fancy being in my pop-up tent in a thunderstorm though, at least it hasn't got metal poles.
Yes great weekend, especially what we got up to in the Event Shelter - keep them guessing :cheesy: :cheesy:)
As the photo seems to have got lost, Tom is Les R's 13 year old son (I think it was 13 or was it 14). Amazing for a first image. You will have to join the society now both of you!!!
Carole
It really was a great weekend. The shelter came in very handy for our own evening of entertainment!!
Loved your shot Mike...glad you caught one if the Perseids on there.
Really very enjoyable and lots of laughs to. Even some wildlife rescue took place!
See you all soon
Kylee :lol:
Great meteor shot Mike - shame you cought only one.
Mark
i do wonder if Blacklands is a no no now. too busy and bright
Tom did extremely well with his Sun!
Fay
Quote from: Fay on Aug 06, 2013, 21:01:05
Tom did extremely well with his Sun!
Fay
So did Les with his son Tom. :lol:
Tony G
Quote from: Tony G on Aug 06, 2013, 22:46:36
Quote from: Fay on Aug 06, 2013, 21:01:05
Tom did extremely well with his Sun!
So did Les with his son Tom. :lol:
Kaboom tish! :lol:
I'd love to have another go
Rats! Am I missing a deep sky camp?
No that's me trying to image the sun at the last DSC.
Guess who .....
(http://i.imgur.com/nxXnSAJ.jpg)
Just in case anyone is confused. Doug being an old fart deleted the aforementioned image and re-uploaded it again at a different size instead of just resizing the image he had already uploaded. Hence the image is AFTER the two replies instead of before.
Old people - bless them.
(http://www.reocities.com/Hollywood/8356/mouse.jpg)(http://i.imgur.com/D4VVo.jpg)
(http://prezkynaopasky.cz/media/catalog/product/cache/7/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/6/2/626_1.jpg)
For the benefit of idiots people like Doug. I have made a post in the PC Helpline section of the forum showing easy to follow instructions for posting and resizing images on the forum.
Quote from: Mike on Aug 27, 2013, 20:15:01
For the benefit of idiots people like Doug. I have made a post in the PC Helpline section of the forum showing easy to follow instructions for posting and resizing images on the forum.
Er, Mike, you posted it in PC Helpline not TECHNICAL :roll:
Errmm.. I know. You even quoted that :roll:
:o
Quote from: mickw on Aug 27, 2013, 20:22:18
Quote from: Mike on Aug 27, 2013, 20:15:01
For the benefit of idiots people like Doug. I have made a post in the PC Helpline section of the forum showing easy to follow instructions for posting and resizing images on the forum.
Er, Mike, you posted it in PC Helpline not TECHNICAL :roll:
Mike,
I see what you mean about old people. :roll: ;)
Tony G
I know. It's a shame really. Poor Mick.