reddoss

My set up during the day. A SW MN190 on an EQ8, Altair Astro field pier tripod and a QHY 16200A-CFW5 (LRGBHa) camera.

I found this video interesting, the sound is a little creepy though!

It is on BBC2 tonight at 9.00pm. It is a repeat of the 2020 Horizon program, I watched it the first time around and thought it well worth watching.

Hi  

On 16/10/2021 at 15:09, Freff said:

A very big thank you to all those who attended this year’s  autumn SWAG  SP at Pencelli Castle. Especially to the newcomers who contributed by sharing their astro gear,  knowledge and friendship.

We had a great turnout for our first event since the outbreak of Covid, and hopefully the unprecedented amount of public that were amongst us was not an issue, In fact I'm sure there are now a few converts.

We did manage a few clear nights with longer periods for the imagers to do their magic. Hopefully we will see some of their images posted here soon.

Next year’s SWAG SP  has been provisionally booked for weekend 21st - 23rd October 2022 with the New Moon on 25th, and the Orionids Meteor Shower the same weekend.

There is also a weekend on 1st – 3rd April  2022 when a few of the group will have a get together to help shorten the time until the autumn event. Anyone is welcome to join us.

Again, many thanks to all. 👍🔭🪐

Hi Tony,

           Unfortunately I will not be able to attend in April as I have been asked to give a talk/workshop on Astrophotography  at AstroCamp.

Hope to make the SWAG star party in October 

Send my love to Cath, your your poor  long suffering wife! 🙂 

Cheers,

            Justyn

Here is the link for a BBC video about interpreting weather apps - vital for astronomy!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/59638765

Here's hoping for an SGL star party next year.

Good luck with the breakfast Daz, we expect a full report😀!!!!!!!

I am arriving on Saturday, by which time there will be clear skies from  dusk  until dawn !!!!!!!!!

On 22/09/2021 at 14:17, Freff said:

UPDATE

Here is the list of those attending so far. If I have missed anyone or have  the wrong details please let me know.

 

freff                                   pitch  3              7th - 9th

mdstuart                           pitch  10            8th - 9th

adyj1                                  pitch  11           7th - 10th

reddross                            pitch  13            7th - 9th

estwing                              pitch  28           8th - 9th   

mapstar                             pitch  27            8th - 9th

swampthing                      pitch  26            8th - 9th

lee_b                                  pitch   14          8th - 9th

lew                                     pitch   6            7th - 8th

dust in time                       pitch  12           7th - 10th

trikeflyer                            pitch  7            8th - 9th

mickD                                pitch   4           7th - 10th

live stream mad                 pitch   8           7th - 10th

It is looking good !!!!!!!

On air tonight at 9pm.

Dramatised documentary about the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon, featuring declassified cockpit audio recorded by the astronauts, cutting-edge digital effects and dramatised performances to tell the story of Apollo 11. The words of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins convey everything from moments of high drama to light-hearted banter on their long and dangerous journey.

20 hours ago, Freff said:

What nights do you want? Are you booking in or me.

I have just booked pitch 13 from 7th to the 10th. 

You just can't get the staff these days Tony😂

12 hours ago, Freff said:

Would you like tea, toast and the paper each morning as well. 😉 👌

Yes Please Tony, and don't forget my scrambled eggs as well. 😆

Hi Tony, can you book me into pitch 13 please, my usual pitch.

Amazing footage.

The Virgin Space program seems to me little more than a multi-millionaires roller coaster ride with extremely limited scientific value. 

Welcome to SGL Osvaldo

11 minutes ago, Tiny Clanger said:

Sounding dangerously Yoda like, I'd say 'Raise the dob., lower the observer, one or the other, or both, whatever works .

I have a heritage 150 dob, which has a low tabletop base , so have built a rough little sturdy stand to raise it off the (usually wet) grass, and an adjustable height observing chair ,you can see both here

What  do you hope to observe with your 'scope ? That would be an important factor to me in a decision between dob and mak .

Heather

 

Surely Yoda would levitate the Dob until the eye piece was in the perfect position for the observers eye!!!!!!!! 😄

"I was sat at the bottom of the garden a week ago, smoking a reflective cheroot, thinking about this and that - mostly that, and I just happened to glance at the night sky and I marvelled at the millions of stars glistening like pieces of quicksilver thrown carelessly onto black velvet. In awe I watched the waxen moon ride across the zenith of the heavens like an amber chariot towards the void of infinite space wherein the tethered bolts of Jupiter and Mars hang forever in their orbital majesty; and as I looked at all this, I thought, 'I must put a roof on this lavatory." ~ Les Dawson

Wonderful tribute to Mike Collins at the end of this episode!

Tonight's episode is about the results from the Gaia space telescope 'Mapping the Milky Way'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000w067

At starparties, toilet tents are the most common form of scope covering/protection used. It is also a good idea to put a plastic sheet over the whole  scope and mount set up  as well as the tent just incase there are any leaks.

After tonight's episode, I was glad to see that 'Elvis' has not left the NASA building, and is the chief engineer on the Perseverance rover. 

It was he, who designed and came up with the Sky Crane maneuver for the Curiosity rover  a few years back,  this ensured that it landed safely on the surface of Mars without being 'All shook up'..... 🙂

The Sky at Night is on BBC4 tonight at 9.30 PM. It is about Mars and meteorites.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000v495

On 29/11/2020 at 16:42, Freff said:

Since the C-19 outbreak the SWAG star parties have been uneventful, with members making their own arrangements according to national or local lockdown and travel restrictions.

It is hoped that a spring event can be organized next April around the weekend  25th - 26th April. Attempting a meet in March, I think, is a bit ambitious in the current climate.

A New Moon is on 23rd, with a Lyrids shower on the 22nd. The Star Party will then be officially on the 24th, 25h and 26th April. Dates either side of these can can also be booked.

This is provisional, and will of course be conditional with the C-19 restrictions at the time and Pencelli's decisions. 

I will post more information nearer the event.

Take care, stay safe and hope to see you all at the next SWAG Star Party.

Hi Tony, please keep me up to speed on this. If it's on, then I'm in!!!!

Cheers,

           Justyn

Are there any plans for an SLG star party at Lucksall in October/November this year?

Cheers,

           Justyn

Welcome Steve. I go to star parties up in the Brecon beacons to do my imaging.