SP Astronomers at ECP on 31/12

[Sam Lee]

We had been spending our New Year Eve under the star light! The usually 'ulu' area in Carpark G had been literally filled with families and couples. There were altogether 18 of us staying throughout the night plus a few new faces that came and left.
The skies from 8 onwards is already getting from bad to worse, with inland cloud coming in from the North slowly moving towards the South. In no time, the whole sky is covered and some of the members are starting to wonder if they are going to get back home.
The sky was then cleared from around 10+ throughout and we managed to take a look at the elusive comet again before it sets. Saturn is another object that attracted the 'oohs and wahs'. After those 2 viewings, the mirrors are starting to turn to deep sky objects, with objects like Eskimo Nebula and NGC 5128 (Centaurus A) being hunted down. The Leo's M65 and M66 had also been spotted high up in the zenith.
The sky didn't hold long enough before it start to drizzle and we had to seek shelter from nearby stalls.
Obviously it was a good time spent by everyone and i thought i heard some say : 'Overnight today again!' or 'We should be in Mersing...'.
Alright, time to sleep.... Zz

Regards,
Sam

[Airconvent]

We had been spending our New Year Eve under the star light! The usually 'ulu' area in Carpark G had been literally filled with families and couples. There were altogether 18 of us staying throughout the night plus a few new faces that came and left.
The skies from 8 onwards is already getting from bad to worse, with inland cloud coming in from the North slowly moving towards the South. In no time, the whole sky is covered and some of the members are starting to wonder if they are going to get back home.
The sky was then cleared from around 10+ throughout and we managed to take a look at the elusive comet again before it sets. Saturn is another object that attracted the 'oohs and wahs'. After those 2 viewings, the mirrors are starting to turn to deep sky objects, with objects like Eskimo Nebula and NGC 5128 (Centaurus A) being hunted down. The Leo's M65 and M66 had also been spotted high up in the zenith.
The sky didn't hold long enough before it start to drizzle and we had to seek shelter from nearby stalls.
Obviously it was a good time spent by everyone and i thought i heard some say : 'Overnight today again!' or 'We should be in Mersing...'.
Alright, time to sleep.... Zz

Regards,
Sam

Hi Sam (the "Lee")
Glad to hear you had an enjoyable time inspite of the rain. As what CC indicated, I had drove all the way to ECP only to realise that there's a non-moving car queue starting from the entry point into ECP...decided it was a bad idea to be stuck for an hour there, so proceeded to Dempsey instead. No rain there but sky alternated from 100% cloud cover to 10% every 30-40 min....very wierd...tried to call you but seems all Starhub lines are overloaded due to the NY greetings!

Did not do much obs, merely talked instead. However, the highlight was when CC showed Saturn at x 400 (CC : is that correct?) on his Portaball.....beautiful man!
Image only starting to get a little soft although ring details were still very distinct, cassini , crepe ("C" ring) and I thought i could make out the elusive Encke ring as well..! I could also make out several bands on the planet surface and at least 3 satellites (including Titan) in the short 30-60 seconds "access" time I had before passing on to the next guy....
man...a zambuto is a Zambuto!

rich

[harlequin2902]

Did not do much obs, merely talked instead. However, the highlight was when CC showed Saturn at x 400 (CC : is that correct?) on his Portaball.....beautiful man!
Image only starting to get a little soft although ring details were still very distinct, cassini , crepe ("C" ring) and I thought i could make out the elusive Encke ring as well..! I could also make out several bands on the planet surface and at least 3 satellites (including Titan) in the short 30-60 seconds "access" time I had before passing on to the next guy....
man...a zambuto is a Zambuto!

rich

Yup, no doubt. The Portaball never fails to impress !

But with that in mind, have you ever "fantasized" (:lol:) how Saturn would look like through Elton's scope...featuring similar but even larger Zambuto optics ? ;-p~~~~

[elton]

Yupz... saturn has been quite a sight with the usual rings and bands and a little detail seen in the bands too. I managed to check out Jupiter one morning recently and was amazed cos that was the first time I saw it since the mewlon days. Festoons in the band were obvious. A little bright though in a 10" scope. I really need a higher power ep to do it justice. Drop by my place one of these days if you wanna check it out

[harlequin2902]

I would love to see the Teleport again (and Saturn, Jupiter through it). Perhaps on a Sunday or something, if you are out observing then.

Hm, and maybe I could bring the MN56 too, just for fun. Do you still have your GM-8 with you ?

[elton]

Sunday is probably ok weather permitting. The GM8 has been sold And do bring along your 3x TV barlow please...

[harlequin2902]

Sunday is probably ok weather permitting. The GM8 has been sold And do bring along your 3x TV barlow please...

Ok. What time do you intend to start ? I'll probably SMS to you to request a weather update in your area about an hour before your start time. I'll bring the 3x TV barlow. Too bad the new TMB 4mm Supermono which I'm intending to order for demo will not be here in time.