May Bank Holliday Weekend Observing?

Moderator: SAC Committee

User avatar
mikkelbo
Posts: 74
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:40 pm
Location: Frederikssund, Denmark

Re: May Bank Holliday Weekend Observing?

Post by mikkelbo » Sun May 04, 2008 9:10 am

Hey Frank,
Frank Ryan wrote: I'd be able to go Saturday & bring the club's 12'' Dob for the members
without scopes.
Weather looks promising for tonight, can you make it tonight?

Does anybody have a 12V power pack or a 8xAA battery holder I can borrow for my new AstroTrac? Otherwise, I can't track anything :(. I didn't spot that it comes without a battery holder -- it only comes with a cigarette lighter plug. The battery holder is an optional accessory but only comes with the full kit they offer. So here I am :oops:.

Frank Ryan
Posts: 2980
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:45 am
Location: Ballycasey, Co. Clare

Post by Frank Ryan » Sun May 04, 2008 9:23 am

:?

OK,
it's totally clear here in Shannon now,
cloudy in Lahinch..
http://www.lahinchsurfshop.com/lahinch/ ... ?magpage=9

but it's dry and getting warmer judging by the live weather station data
http://www.orbitalwinds.com/weather-live.html

The animation on the
http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/satpics/latest_IR.html
page looks promising.. that band of cloud coming in from the west looks like it
might miss us.
I'd say the irish site http://www.met.ie/
is right.
Some clear spells tonight.

Well, I'm game anyway.
Mikkel, I have a powerpack but I reckon it is dead.
I'll check it out.

Frank Ryan
Posts: 2980
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:45 am
Location: Ballycasey, Co. Clare

Post by Frank Ryan » Sun May 04, 2008 9:28 am

We might get to see some meteors tonight too!
The eta Aquarid meteor shower peaks before dawn tonight.
http://www.spaceweather.com/meteors/eta ... sh4mhbqiu2


If we go we should announce it.
but make it clear it may not be clear tonight!

User avatar
Dave Lillis
Posts: 2757
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:02 am
Location: Limerick city

Post by Dave Lillis » Sun May 04, 2008 10:34 am

well lads,
Its definitely looking good, we'll have a better idea by mid afternoon
Dave L. on facebook, See my images in flickr
Carrying around my 20" obsession is going to kill me, but what a way to go. :)

User avatar
John O'Mahony
Posts: 552
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:36 am
Location: Limerick, Ireland

Post by John O'Mahony » Sun May 04, 2008 12:31 pm

Sounds good. Mikkel, I have a fully charged powerpack you can use. I'll bring it along.
John O'Mahony
--------------------
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7703127@N07/

User avatar
mikkelbo
Posts: 74
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 7:40 pm
Location: Frederikssund, Denmark

Post by mikkelbo » Sun May 04, 2008 2:01 pm

I went to Maplin and bought DIY items for a battery holder and cigarette lighter adapter PLUS I bought a 12V rechargeable lead battery + charger. But I don't know if I can charge the battery in time or if I can DIY the battery holder so it connects to the cigarette lighter plug, but I'l give it a try 8).

John, please bring the powerpack just in case :P.

Fingers crossed ...

Frank Ryan
Posts: 2980
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:45 am
Location: Ballycasey, Co. Clare

Post by Frank Ryan » Sun May 04, 2008 2:16 pm

Who's bringing the tea & sambos?

User avatar
Dave Lillis
Posts: 2757
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:02 am
Location: Limerick city

Re: May Bank Holliday Weekend Observing?

Post by Dave Lillis » Sun May 04, 2008 2:50 pm

mikkelbo wrote:
Does anybody have a 12V power pack or a 8xAA battery holder I can borrow for my new AstroTrac? Otherwise, I can't track anything :(. I didn't spot that it comes without a battery holder -- it only comes with a cigarette lighter plug. The battery holder is an optional accessory but only comes with the full kit they offer. So here I am :oops:.
If you like, you can plug it into one of the sockets on my power pack if need be, there are 4 lighter sockets on it.
Dave L. on facebook, See my images in flickr
Carrying around my 20" obsession is going to kill me, but what a way to go. :)

User avatar
John O'Mahony
Posts: 552
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:36 am
Location: Limerick, Ireland

Post by John O'Mahony » Sun May 04, 2008 3:30 pm

Is it on tonight? If so what time do we meet up at? With the bank holiday there are bound to be a few visitors still around.
John O'Mahony
--------------------
https://www.flickr.com/photos/7703127@N07/

User avatar
Dave Lillis
Posts: 2757
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:02 am
Location: Limerick city

Post by Dave Lillis » Sun May 04, 2008 6:19 pm

ok lads, its abit cloudy tonight but I think it'll clear up later on, so lets try the Burren tonight !!
We'll meet up at Ivans car park in Limerick at 8.30 sharp, this gives us time to get there and setup before it gets fully dark.
Those who know how to get there can make your own way there if you wish.

ring me on 0879832325 if you need directions.
Dave L. on facebook, See my images in flickr
Carrying around my 20" obsession is going to kill me, but what a way to go. :)

Frank Ryan
Posts: 2980
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:45 am
Location: Ballycasey, Co. Clare

Post by Frank Ryan » Sun May 04, 2008 6:47 pm

Most of the sites have it clear tonight over Ireland.
New ish moon also.
Could be a good one.

I'm probably gonna be a little late as I just finished a long
day in the garden and need some kip.

Frank Ryan
Posts: 2980
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:45 am
Location: Ballycasey, Co. Clare

Post by Frank Ryan » Sun May 04, 2008 6:59 pm

Just thought,
we should get a nice view of Mercury too!

Frank Ryan
Posts: 2980
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 2:45 am
Location: Ballycasey, Co. Clare

Post by Frank Ryan » Mon May 05, 2008 7:45 am

Well,
what did ye think of the place lads!?
Good or what!
And that big 'skyglow' turned out to be ONE single floodlight
from the fecker down the road!
:?

I wonder though has he heard that sometimes 'foxes'
like to chew on those cables?
:twisted:

Great craic all the same.

User avatar
Dave Lillis
Posts: 2757
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:02 am
Location: Limerick city

Post by Dave Lillis » Mon May 05, 2008 12:41 pm

That damn light, we might need to do something about that.
Dave L. on facebook, See my images in flickr
Carrying around my 20" obsession is going to kill me, but what a way to go. :)

User avatar
Dave Lillis
Posts: 2757
Joined: Sun Aug 05, 2007 10:02 am
Location: Limerick city

Post by Dave Lillis » Mon May 05, 2008 12:58 pm

A great night, ended by incoming cloud at 3.30, many thanks to you all who came along, good craic and some great sights seen.
Dave L. on facebook, See my images in flickr
Carrying around my 20" obsession is going to kill me, but what a way to go. :)

Post Reply