Doc

Strange had some sort of power surge go through the house last night.... It tripped the main fuse but after turning everything back on I found out it had blown 6 bulbs, and fried the living room dimmer switch. Fixed everthing today. I wonder what caused that!

Hip Hip Hoo-Ray for Jensen Button. What a great race for a change. The rule changes really worked and I have a feeling this season will be a great one. Clear skies tonight so scopes outside cooling.

I think most of us had a good night. I certainly did. Not far from you in Nottingham.

Unfortunately I cannot follow the fantastic night of yesterday as it's cloudy and raining. Watched England beat Slovakia 4-0. And watched the shuttle land at Kennedy Space Centre. After 5 million miles and 202 orbits it arrived back safe. Really enjoyed watching this mission.

Best night for ages... Bagged another 7 Messier objects. Read report here.. http://stargazerslounge.com/observing-reports/77528-meade-lightbridge-observing-report-27-3-2009-a.html#post1198201

Went to IDAS last night with Rob (Red Dwalf) had a great time. Rob bought along his scope. He showed the members around it and we took go's at viewing Saturn. As normal it was pretty cloudy and very cold. There was three slideshow presentations where various members showed us there images taken that month. Some cracking efforts and nicely presented on a big screen. Overall a good night and look forward to the next one.

Bought one of those headlamps today. Looks pretty good has 4 settings including 2 red LED one. Very bright. Going up to Ilkeston Astronomical Society tomorrow with Rob so hopefully it will be a good night.

A very windy night but did manage a little observing see here. http://stargazerslounge.com/observing-reports/77342-meade-lightbridge-observing-report-23-3-2009-a.html#post1196138

Just spotted the 20.28 ISS fly pass. I've seen it a few times before but this time it was really bright. Glad I've seen it though as the shuttle was docked with the ISS. No luck with stargazing tonight as the house 5 doors down are having a barbeque and have one of those outside security light thats been turned on permanently. Also the sky is a bit lentil soup like.

Wanted to see the ISS tonight but no chance. Loads of clouds as normal. Bought a DV or Firewire lead today. My DV camcorder now acts as a webcam. All I need now is a nosepiece I think it's a "C" mount I need. Tried making sense of Registax. My god it's pretty hard to understand. The idea is to take an AVI of the moon and try using registax to get a good frame fromm it. We will see.

I let my mate in work solder those wires back onto my rotary encoder and I'm glad I did. Apparently it was a PITA. The wires were also broke by the plug, took him 2 hours to do. Anyway working now so well chuffed. Also put some bicycle handle bar grips onto my Handle bars on my dob. Looks good and makes it alot better to use.

23.43 GMT. 36th Launch of Discovery. Space shuttle launch on Nasa TV. My first time watching this live and I must admit I'm enjoying every minute of it. I love this stuff. Fingers crossed for a safe blast off. AWESOME.... LOVED IT.

My scopes outside cooling. Not a cloud in the sky buy it's pretty windy right now. I don't hold out to much for tonight. Not fun observing in a gale. Just looking at the scope sitting outside on the patio and boy does it look good. Can't believe I have one of these. A boyhood dream come true. Off to make a list of possible targets. Typical it's now all cloudy. Arrrghhhh why oh why does this happen.

Cheers Buddy.

Full moon tonight ..... At last the supplier for my broken rotary encoder has e-mailed with a schematic drawing of which wires go where. I've access to a soldering iron from work so hopefully, and fingers crossed I'll have a go myself. I'll let you know what happens. Cloudy outside so will be watching Champions league again Man Utd v Inter Milan. 2-0

Been really busy at work for the past few days so didn't post yesterday. Other then work there was nout to report and I'm sure you don't want to be bored about work. Been outside for a bit tonight, almost a full moon. A bit cloudy though so looking through some breaks in the cloud. Lunar is fantasic tonight. Didn't bother with the laptop outside so don't know which craters I've looked at but been up and down terminator and it's just so detailed and clear. When it is cloudy have bbeen watching snippits of the Liverpool v Real Madrid game. What a game that's been. 4-0

What a PITA looked outside at 18.00 lovely and clear, decided to set up my new barn door mount. Put it on it's tripod, polar aligned it. Set up the camera and laptop. Focused on the Dog Star. Started to take a 1 minute exposure and then clouds rolled in. It's outside still awaiting a break in the clouds but still as cloudy as ever. Oh well until next time.......

Stuck up two ceiling lights for my in laws today. Went shopping and then relaxed and watched FA Cup Quarter final between Man Utd and Fulham. Then spent a few hours on SGL. Not a bad day. Very cloudy outside so won't be stargazing tonight.

Sounds like you had a great night whats the FOV of Vixen EP and do you think it would like a fast scope say F4.5

Went and saw my son James's play at school. He was Perfect Peter from the TV show Horrid Henry. I was really impressed he has a talent for acting. Then went and had a Mcdonalds breakfast with the wife. A very relaxing day. Finish work early as well so fingers crossed for a clear night.

Refitted handlebar modification to my dob today. Looks mighty impressive. All I need now is some handlebar grips and a couple of those plastic blanking caps that fit ito the ends of box sections. Then gave the dob a polish and a bit of TLC. Just finished work 22.00 and the sky is clear and perfect for stargazing but I have to be up at 06.00 so no stargazing for me tonight:(