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Post by Aaron on Sept 23, 2005 18:14:53 GMT
If anyone fancies going out observing tonight myself and Mark are going round to castleward for a while tonight. Anyone is more than welcome. Looks to be nice clear skies (fingers crossed it'll stay that way).
PM me for directions
Aaron
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Post by Martin Mc kenna on Sept 23, 2005 19:34:36 GMT
Have a good one guys. I will be observing from home.
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Post by Aaron on Sept 24, 2005 16:47:11 GMT
Well we had a cracking nights observing last night. Mark arrived at about 21.30 and once we had loaded the scopes and wheelbarrow (yes wheel barrow, transport for marks LX200 to the observing spot) into the car we headed round castleward to the spot for the night. We checked out one place I had earmarked but it was a bit breezy so we just set up in the carpark (there are no streetlights in castleward so we could really set up anywhere). After setup, the first target was M57. The LX200 had no probs finding it but with my 6 inch it was a little more difficult, after 10 mins looking Mark set his laser pointer on his scope and I followed its beam through my scope and hey presto we found it, a fuzzy ring but we could make out the star to the lower right of it (The ring nebula was a first for me). Next up was M27 (another first for me). Again we had trouble with my scope finding it but mark found it after a while. After that there was M13, M15, M81 & 82 and M31, then Mars which was swimming due to the atmosphere, but we could make out some surface detail. Both of us had a glimpse of the polar hoods but not for long. After advanced aligning of the big scope Mark took some images of M82 which came out fantastic on the camera screen, I cant wait to see them on the site keep an eye out for them, then a few images of M31 and the moon, again keep an eye out for them, they should be great. All in all a great nights observing.
Current meteor score is 9-1 to me ;D, Mark always seemed to be looking at the ground when I seen one lol.
Aaron
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Post by markdj on Sept 24, 2005 17:57:35 GMT
Yes, I can't seem to be looking in the right direction when the meteors fly by. Many thanks to Aaron for the hospitality and the great observing site - I can see why he doesn't go there alone! Here's the image we took of M82... Will be on site with tech. and processing details soon. Clear Skies Mark
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Post by Martin Mc kenna on Sept 24, 2005 18:28:52 GMT
Great stuff guys! Sounds like quite a night and i think that image of M82 is fantastic!!!!! Did you see that incredible 22* lunar halo that appeared later in the night?
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Post by Aaron on Sept 24, 2005 18:50:29 GMT
Afraid not Martin, I was probably looking at a meteor and mark was probably looking at the ground...again lol lol . Yeah Mark, it can get a bit spooky down that way, we'll have to get a few more sessions done there though. Aaron
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Post by jonathan on Sept 24, 2005 20:19:41 GMT
very good image mark and Aaron well done!
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Mark K
Canis Major
LX200GPS UHTC/SMT
Posts: 75
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Post by Mark K on Sept 24, 2005 20:39:45 GMT
What are you imaging with Mark?
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Post by johnmc9929 on Sept 25, 2005 0:41:24 GMT
Great image Mark!
When you have these "few more sessions" can I suggest a bit more warning so that others can join in?
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Post by NeilP on Sept 25, 2005 6:59:46 GMT
Great photo Mark
Sounds like you guys had a great sesion.
Rgds Neil
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Mark K
Canis Major
LX200GPS UHTC/SMT
Posts: 75
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Post by Mark K on Sept 25, 2005 9:49:36 GMT
When you have these "few more sessions" can I suggest a bit more warning so that others can join in? Maybe Mark you could create a new Sub Forum on the first page after login(Below General Forum), espically for Obvserving sessions so we will know as soon as we log on if there has been any activity or requests for a session, before we start reading through the posts?
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Post by markdj on Sept 25, 2005 12:35:24 GMT
That's a good idea Mark I'll get on it.
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Post by markdj on Sept 25, 2005 22:14:38 GMT
Hope you all like the new layout to the forum, care of Mar's suggestion. I had thought about how best to arrange things so if it doesn't work then we can change the layout if required.
My Cigar Galaxy photo with tech. details are now on the eaas website.
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Post by Martin Mc kenna on Sept 26, 2005 0:44:17 GMT
Love the image and the detailed write up!...nice one!
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Post by Neill on Sept 26, 2005 11:39:59 GMT
Hi guys,
Also out observing on Fri night. Was playing nightgolf at my local course and observed the moon rising and also Mars and also the usual constellations such as Ursa Major etc. Even out on the dark golf course, the light pollution from Belfast and Carrickfergus was terrible. Continued in my back yard with my 'new' 8inch Meade reflector but again lots of streetlights so just focused on Mars and the Moon - got some nice views through the scope - technically it was first light for the scope - but didn't have the go to on - was just operating it manually. Would prefer a proper first light at a good dark site to see what it can really do.
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