Sixpenny Handley Star Party - 6dH 2012... The aftermath

[AstroGnome]

Hello all.

Well, the first Sixpenny Handley star party is now over and I hope all who attended had a good time, I know I did, and it was good to catch up with people.

And we had two very good clear nights to boot.

I've started this thread so those who came (or even those who didn't) can post their thoughts of the event, pictures, or ideas for the future.

There WILL be another one next year, the site is happy to have us back again (so we can't have been too badly behaved). So keep your October 2013 free....

Cheers MARK....

(as a start here's the pic I managed to grab of NGC7000....)

[fredster]

Sounded a great event, i must keep this clear for next year.

[AllanJ]

Had a great time, apart from the hint of hangovers. Many thanks to Mark for thinking up and coordinating this gathering. Two excellent nights of clear sky, some sunshine to lounge out in, plus pretty good food in the campsite restaurant. And good company.

My efforts were directed at the Crescent Nebula, my thanks are due to RobH for a bit of advice on including OIII for fringe, and helpful suggestions in processing.

Hope to be there next year.

Allan

[michigander]

Had a great time with great company. The van didn't break down once - first time for three years.

Thanks to Mark for the organization. I'll post photos (mugshots) tomorrow.

Dana

[Tiberius]

Had a really great time, everyone was so welcoming.

Thanks to Mark (astrognome) for organising and helping to pitch my tent. Thanks to Mark2 (he who snores) for showing me how to set up properly and the 40 year old brandy :-S

Thanks to John for lending me some filters (typical newbie, only half the gear) and to Amanda for letting me flick through her Turn Left At Orion, i hope you got it back ok.

Once again, Thankyou everyone. You were all so helpful and informative and have only heightened my interest,especially for imagining, but one step at a time.I look forward to next years star party.

All the best,

Darren -- BUT NOT THAT ONE--

[michigander]

Here are a few of my photos. It was a small but perfectly formed star party and I do hope I got shots of most of us.

Here's Nelson, of course. No star party is complete without him

And some more doggies, Allen (AllenJ) with .... what the heck was her name? Marion's still quoting Russian girls' names at me. Was it Nadya? And Carl (Dark Knight) with cool Jasper, don't you just love him? Namechecks on Rob (RobH) who is hiding behind Carl, and Amanda (Galathea)

Carl and Mark (Astrognome) scanning the horizon for clear skies

Mark (HeWhoSnores) and Darren (Tiberias) doing their scouting drill

Steph (Dobserver)... OOOPS - did anyone remember to prop up the rear of the caravan?

Rees solving Steph's problem - Crack that whip Carl!!

Carl playing with his scope; Allen watching with interest

Lulu (Lul57), Ian (Astronut), Kes and John (Astromerlin) doing what you do at a star party when there are no stars to observe

[dobserver]

Great photos Dana, glad we were able to make it even though it was just for the one night. So good to catch up with some old friends. No stars for us, but at least I've got a wonderfully collimated scope now

It was really lovely to come back to the campsite, well done and thanks for organising it Mark. Hope to be there next year too.

[AllanJ]

Like the photos, Dana, although providing (another) depressing reminder that I need to lose weight.

Allan - with an "a" (and labrador Nadia) :-)

[michigander]

Sorry, Allan.

Realized my error after posting.

Dana

[He who snores]

Hi everyone,

Apologies for the late posting. Having problems on how to upload images, cant seem to upload anything more than 1meg!! Any help?

A big thank you to Mark for organising a great event, which I know he will build on. It was great meeting everyone, a fantastic way to get to know people and learn alot..........

Such as.your voice travels a long way whilst cursing junk Italian auto guiders.Apologies for that bad hair moment!

Nelson was great fun, a true Astro dog!

I look forward to seeing everyone again next year and with a little hlp will stick my humble offerings on this post.

Lookk forward to hearing back.

Thank you.

Mark2

[He who snores]

Being a newbe at this and fighting with my kit all the time, I know I'm on a long learning curve, but it's great fun and look forward to practising and improving. I managed to get ok subs up from 30sec to 8mins....some of the time. Below are a couple more from 6dH

[He who snores]

This is andromeda..I think!

[He who snores]

And this is the triangulum Galaxy. All the above shot with un modified nikon D7000 on CG5 mount with an 80ed celestron and dodgy guiding via an Italian stand alone system.

[cloudbuster]

would love to of been able to go....but alas, the skool runs had to be done! looks like u all had a great time!

[lulu57]

It was a lovely time, notwithstanding the airbed needing reinflation every three hours...could have been worse...

[RobH]

Had a great time meeting up again, and 2 good clear nights too!!

Thanks to Mark for organising it, and hope to see you all again soon....onwards and upwards :-)

Cheers

Rob, Amanda and Nelson (now back home after our marathon of camping!!)

[AstroGnome]

Thanks for the kind words chaps. Can't wait for next year.

See you again at SGL8 (roll on Sunday, 3pm)

(Rob, I think you picked the right week to stop camping....!)

[RobH]

(Rob, I think you picked the right week to stop camping....!)

Yes, we kindof thought that too!!