Dempsey obs session this evening

[siahheng]

Hi Gavin, after 11pm, with the flood lights switched off, is the place at Dempsey desserted? Is it safe?

[VinSnr]

Hi Gavin, after 11pm, with the flood lights switched off, is the place at Dempsey desserted? Is it safe?

Yes, it is very safe.

[acc]

Hi all
Firstly, lets thank Gavin for his Dempsey observing report.

The forum encourages sharing of observing reports regardless of whether its a private or public event, impromptu or otherwise. Hopefully this unfortunate event won't deter members from writing about their own ob sessions. If it happens again, pls let the forum admins or mods know.

cheers
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Hi Rich!

Thanks for your post.

I had to put the lengthy post just above bec I was advised in very clear terms that I since I did not make the prior announcement I should have kept quiet about the session or people would feel left out, that "people are complaining" to use the exact words. So I said I would put a post to clarify what happened, in case there is some misunderstanding.

I suppose I should have kept quiet since it became complicated. I agree we should relax, bec this is only a hobby (which by definition is not a serious thing), and this is not a club (with membership fees, structure, etc), only an informal association. Got enough serious things at work, etc.

[rcj]

hi gavin,
thanks for your explanation. nevertheless i think it is courtesy to inform everyone if there is an observing session that anyone is organizing within a reasonable time limit and if the organizer feels comfortable. There will always be others who will think otherwise, but then again, we are in society that experiences varied opinions and ideas all the time. It is a big pity that the Eunos session for example is not regular nowadays (and somehow I feel responsible too since I stay so near). Anyway, I will be keen to have one again this Saturday if the weather permits. Let's get the ball rollin!
Also, do keep me informed about the Dempsey sessions since I used to go there regularly last time as well.

Let's have more regular sessions as the weather improves!

[starfinder]

Thanks all for your replies. Thanks esp. to jermng, airconvent, weixing and acc for your understanding.

Siahheng, i agree with VinSnr that it is still safe there after the floodlights are switched off. There are now several wine bars in the area and I should think that these are patronised very late into the night, with a healthy number of people and cars in the general Dempsey area. When we left at midnight, I recall there were still other cars about. Having said that, personally I would not observe there (or other dark places in Singapore or elsewhere) alone.

I'm not aware of anything happening to observers there before. If any members of the forum has had any bad experiences at Dempsey or anywhere else for that matter, perhaps they can post about it.

I suppose the strange thing about amateur astronomy is that we are constantly seeking dark and isolated places.

Of course, if one is alone and trying very hard to look for the Ghost of Jupiter Nebula (NGC3242), some imaginations might creep into the mind, esp. as Weixing says, during the 7th month. ha ha.


As for the <people who complained>, whoever they are I don't know, I'm sure my and Vincent/ovc17m's post above should have satisfied them. It is not easy simply to call forum-wide for an observation session at the last minute on a very cloudy night in a rainy week during full moon to an isolated place 2 miles from the nearest MRT station. As ovc17m said, what was thought of at 8pm as a possibility for 9.30 (see how) was nearly called off at 9pm and only confirmed at 9.15pm.

Where the chances for good conditions are poor, there is going to be a high probability that many, esp the newer members, would feel let down on arrival. And if others had left early, there might be no one else there on arrival. Thus, it is not usually a matter of 'courtesy' but a difficulty in balancing factors.

Anyway, much ado about nothing, but I really shouldn't have been taken to task over a simple matter, or else astro is no fun anymore.

[rcj]

actually, it is easy to just make an announcement, it is simply a posting notification, but your point has been made. everyone has different viewpoints on this. and hopefully the respectful parties will be appeased, aren't you.

[Airconvent]

hi gavin and all,
I like Dempsey because its an easy jam-free drive and I get to deploy my scope on solid gound instead of grass...neater and lesser insects too!
Dempsey is fairly safe as the police patrol there a few times every night.

many of us would have remembered the men in blue (or in black since we always see them in the dark!) dropping by to peep through our scopes.
one policeman actually brought his family there on his off day to see stars.
but nowadays more difficult as the regulars (who go there several times a week ) have all but disappeared...eg Matthew and Chuan Yee (known as the Great 10" galaxy hunter!)

One good thing is the pub is not gawdy so the crowd is generally well behaved and they being there means its also safer for us behind the building..not so remote...and not forgetting the toilet they provide!

and yes gavin, the confounded light has been there since time began and switches off at 11pm which isn't too bad since that's when astronomers begin their nights (less CC who would have fallen asleep by 11!! )

[acc]

(less CC who would have fallen asleep by 11!! )

Rich!! Dun anyhow spread rumour okie!! :oops:

Usually I feel quite safe during my nocturnal visits to Dempsey. More often I think my presence with a big cannonball scares off couples looking for a dark private spot. :oops:

[acc]

actually, it is easy to just make an announcement, it is simply a posting notification,

Back when I was still CSN-in-charge, there were times when the weather is so unpredictable that I did not want to activate it least I throw a red-herring. In those instances, I notify just a few hardcore ones as the session can be cancelled anytime and at the last minute. The desire to not let anyone make a wasted trip to Dempsey is there. There are lots of considerations on whether to announce a session on the forums beforehand so lets not get too anguished over this issue.

keep looking up
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