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Re: May Bank Holliday Weekend Observing?

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 9:10 am
by mikkelbo
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:.

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 9:23 am
by Frank Ryan
:?

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.

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 9:28 am
by Frank Ryan
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!

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:34 am
by Dave Lillis
well lads,
Its definitely looking good, we'll have a better idea by mid afternoon

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 12:31 pm
by John O'Mahony
Sounds good. Mikkel, I have a fully charged powerpack you can use. I'll bring it along.

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 2:01 pm
by mikkelbo
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 ...

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 2:16 pm
by Frank Ryan
Who's bringing the tea & sambos?

Re: May Bank Holliday Weekend Observing?

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 2:50 pm
by Dave Lillis
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.

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 3:30 pm
by John O'Mahony
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.

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 6:19 pm
by Dave Lillis
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.

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 6:47 pm
by Frank Ryan
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.

Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 6:59 pm
by Frank Ryan
Just thought,
we should get a nice view of Mercury too!

Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 7:45 am
by Frank Ryan
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.

Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 12:41 pm
by Dave Lillis
That damn light, we might need to do something about that.

Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 12:58 pm
by Dave Lillis
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.